Player Ratings: New England Revolution at Philadelphia Union

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O’Connell contributed ratings for the New England Revolution’s 4-4 draw at the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.

Matt Reis – Average Rating: 4.75 (Brian 4.5, Sean 5)
Made some nice stops early and late, but his distribution was lacking, and really didn’t seem to be a presence in the box. (Brian) … Some big saves assured the Revs large led at halftime. Not much he could do about the second half onslaught. (Sean)

Lekic put in a great performance for the Revs on Wednesday, leaving with his team leading 4-2. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

Darrius Barnes – Average: 5 (Brian 5, Sean 5)
Nice tackle late bailed out Cochrane; speed saved him a few times, but had a respectable performance. (Brian) … Expected Barnes to have a rough night against a speedy and creative Philadelphia attack, but he actually held his own and make some nice saving tackles. (Sean)

Ryan Cochrane – Average Rating: 3.75 (Brian 3.5, Sean 4)
Usually a presence in the air, did nothing to damper the Philly’s crosses in the box. Slow on the counterattack as well. (Brian) … Along with Soares, struggled all night with the Union, especially Le Toux and couldn’t find an answer. (Sean)

A.J. Soares – Average Rating: 4 (Brian 4, Sean 4)
Nice finish on the goal, but his defending – or lackthereof – allowed the Union back in the game. Gets my vote for ballwatcher of the game. (Brian) … Beaten on Rogers’ goal and Adu’s. Great goal, but one of his worst performances of the season defensively. (Sean)

Kevin Alston – Average Rating: 3.5 (Brian 3.5, Sean 3.5)
Forgettable night for the speedy wingback; burned by Adu, lax in transition, and just didn’t show the fight we saw against NY a few weeks ago. (Brian) … Often left wondering where he was as the Union’s wingers marched into the box. Position was poor as was decision making on when to go forward. Caught ball-watching on a few attacks and failed to win a header, allowing Le Toux’s equalizer. (Sean)

Chris Tierney – Average Rating: 6 (Brian 6, Sean 6)
Crosses were sensational, speared the Revs attack in the first half; somewhat of a defensive liability in the second half, though. (Brian) … Fantastic service and even showed a bit of surprising pace in the first half. Struggled to make an impact in the second half as the Union began to dominate. (Sean)

Shalrie Joseph – Average Rating: 4.5 (Brian 4.5, Sean 4.5)
Defensively, the skipper was shaky all night; looked decent, but not great, on the attack before it curiously vanished in the second half. (Brian) … The Revs desperately needed Joseph to take control and calm down the game in the second half to help keep possession. The influential midfielder was unable to assert his will on the match. (Sean)

Benny Feilhaber – Average Rating: 4.75 (Brian 5, Sean 4.5)
Wondergoal was a nice effort, passing was crisp, but his temper nearly got him in trouble again. (Brian) … Fantastic goal, but otherwise his impact was limited. Needed more from both him and Joseph to take control and maintain possession. (Sean)

Monsef Zerka – Average Rating: 6.25 (Brian 6, Sean 6.5)
Tremendous debut; great runs off the ball, outstanding positioning, and the goal was the icing on the cake. (Brian) … Excellent job finding space off the ball and supporting teammates. Great run for his debut goal. (Sean)

Milton Caraglio – Average Rating: 3.5 (Brian 3.5, Sean 3.5)
Gave up the ghost for the entire match; never figured into the attack until his cumbersome breakway in stoppage time. (Brian) … Only memorable moment was his botched breakaway with a wide open Tierney looking on to his left. (Sean)

Rajko Lekic – Average Rating: 6.5 (Brian 6, Sean 7)
Penalty was pretty brave, but it was his vision that really helped boost the attack early. (Brian) … Perhaps Lekic’s best night in a Revolution uniform. Won and scored the penalty, great assist on Feilhaber’s goal and played a key role in Zerka’s goal. (Sean)

(sub) Pat Phelan – Average Rating: 4.25 (Brian 4, Sean 4.5)
Unlucky to draw the penalty in the 80th; struggled to keep up with Philly’s technically superior attackers. (Brian) … Boldly looked to attack after being brought on to help shore up the defense. Solid performance was hurt by the unfortunate penalty called against him. (Sean)

(sub) Ryan Guy – Average Rating: 4 (Brian 4, Sean 4)
Forced into defensive responsibilities with Nicol’s curious call to bunker up, Guy really didn’t do much in the defending third. (Brian) … Didn’t see much of him after entering on either side of the ball. (Sean)

(sub) Franco Coria – Average Rating: N/A (Brian N/A, Sean 3)
Minimal impact on the match. (Brian) … Motionless ball-watching just a few feet away as Le Toux scored the equalizer. (Sean)

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