Player Ratings: New England Revolution vs. Seattle Sounders

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 2-1 loss to Seattle on Saturday.

Matt Reis – Average Rating: 5.5 (Brian 5, Sean 6)
Poor defending betrayed him on the Montero goals, but aside from a heady save on Montero’s bid for the hat trick, he wasn’t really tested often. (Brian) … Nothing he could do on the goals and mead a great save to deny Montero a third goal. Commanded his box well coming out to collect several crosses.  (Sean)

Diego Fagundez scored his second career goal on Saturday. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

Chris Tierney – Average Rating: 4 (Brian 4, Sean 4)
Shoddy passing and set pieces; in the left back’s spot, he seems to lose his effectiveness without the speed to get forward. (Brian) … Set pieces were inconsistent, but put in some dangerous early crosses. Good control to hold the ball on his late chance, but probably would’ve been better off attempting a pass from the tight angle. Beating by Montero for his header. (Sean)

Ryan Cochrane – Average Rating: 3 (Brian 3, Sean 3)
Smoked on both Montero goals, and never had the pace, nor positioning, to bottle up the deadly striker. (Brian) … Gaffe led to Montero’s first goal and wasn’t able to aid Soares on the second. (Sean)

A.J. Soares – Average Rating: 3.25 (Brian 3.5, 3)
Looked rusty after missing last week’s match; casual marking and tentative challenges made for a listless performance all around. (Brian) … Struggled with the physicality and size of Nate Jaqua. Passing was poor and led to too many turnovers. (Sean)

Kevin Alston – Average Rating: 5.5 (Brian 6. Sean 5)
Linked well with the midfielders, shut down Seattle’s left flank; forays forward continue to get sharper. (Biran) … Had some good runs forward, but often cut inside instead of providing width. Service and passing was inconsistent. (Sean)

Monsef Zerka – Average Rating: 5.5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 5.5)
Threatened in the attacking third, linking well with Feilhaber and Fagundez;  intelligent runs made for a positive performance before fading in half two. (Brian) … Great work off the ball. Didn’t look comfortable crossing with his left foot. Connected well in the attack, but didn’t look 100% fit after missing the last match to injury. (Sean)

Benny Feilhaber – Average Rating: 5 (Brian 5, Sean 5)
Long distance drives continue to scream skyward; nevertheless, remained composed on the ball, and steered the attack in the first half. (Brian) … Set pieces inconsistent, but found Fagundez for his goal. Several turnovers while trying to force passes. (Sean)

Shalrie Joseph – Average Rating: 5.25 (Brian 5, Sean 5.5)
Attacking opportunities may have been limited, but played a key role in the Revs improving possession stats and first half offensive displays. (Brian) … Smart passing helped the Revs throughout the match and aided the defense when needed. Still not having the impact he was at the start of the season. (Sean)

Ryan Guy – Average Rating: 5 (Brian 5, Sean 5)
Should’ve put Fagundez’s pass through early, but showed himself well on the attack for the second straight game with smart passes and good runs forward. (Brian) … Unlike last weekend, finishing let him done. Good effort, but struggled to find openings. (Sean)

Milton Caraglio – Average Rating: 5.25 (Brian 5, Sean 5.5)
Combined well with Fagundez, and put a pair of shots on net; probably deserved the goal that was called offside in the 4th minute. (Brian) … Continues to use his strength in the attack, but struggled to get space to put power on his shots. Combined well in the attack and unlucky to have a goal called offside. (Sean)

Diego Fagundez –Average Rating: 7.75 (Brian 8, Sean 7.5)
Aside from the goal, the teenage phenom continues to play with experience of veteran; great runs, good touches, composed under pressure, and sparkling service made it another night to remember. (Brian) … Challenged for headers all night and it paid off with a goal off the corner kick. Combined well up top and was quick to get up when dealing with physical defending. Only negative was failing to get a couple longer range shots on target. (Sean)

(sub) Pat Phelan – Average Rating: 4.5 (Brian 4.5, Sean 4.5)
Struggled somewhat in the center, and while his presence may have fortified the middle, didn’t make a noticeable impact on other side of the field. (Brian) … Allowed the Revs to play a 3-5-2, but didn’t get much going in the attack and sent his one shot high of the target. (Sean)

(sub) Darrius Barnes – Average Rating: 5.5 (Brian 5.5, Sean 5.5)
Came on strong, and made a few nice passes to get his teammates upfield. (Brian) … Passing was good and did well to hold down a three-man backline when brought on. (Sean)

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