New York City FC player ratings are determined by Hudson River Blue readers — here are your NYCFC player ratings after the hard-fought 0-0 draw with New England Revolution that was one goalpost away from a win.
Starting XI
Richy Ledezma (off 62′) – 6.5
He was just inches away from scoring an absolute belter in the first half that would’ve opened the scoring for NYCFC. Perhaps inches away from a higher HRB rating too, but a 6.5 aligns well with the 6.6 handed down from FotMob.
Santiago Rodríguez – 6.8
The Uruguayan looked more dangerous on Saturday than I’d seen him in a while, but ultimately couldn’t find the back of the net despite having a few good looks at goal. Maybe just a bit of confidence is all the young Designated Player needs to get back to scoring ways. FotMob gave him a 7.1.
Gabriel Pereira (off 74′) – 7.0
Like Richy Ledezma, Gabi Pereira was also just inches away from glory when Djordje Petrovic acrobatically tipped his left-footed curling effort over the bar in the first half. He was denied again by Petrovic in the second half on a 1-vs-1 that Gabi might want to have back. But on a different day, and with a different GK, GP could have easily had himself a brace. That’s football, innit? FotMob handed out a 7.3
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Keaton Parks (off 87′) – 6.1
Keaton Parks played well on Saturday, but the point-blank header he put over the bar is what the fans, and Keaton himself, will likely remember from that performance. On a side struggling for goals, those have to go in. FotMob gave a 6.9 to the American.
Alfredo Morales – 5.6
I’m really happy for Alfredo Morales as he’s found his way into more minutes recently under head coach Nick
Cushing. Coming off a gorgeous assist on Wednesday, joined the starting lineup for what feels like the first time in forever on Saturday. He showed decently well in my opinion, playing the whole 90 minutes. FotMob gave a 7.2
James Sands – 6.5
With Cushing opting for a back-three, and with Thiago Martins injured, there were a lot of center-back positions to fill. The problem? There weren’t many center-backs available for selection on the roster. Instead of going with Tony Alfaro, the gaffer went with Sands alongside Justin Haak and Maxime Chanot. Sands was as reliable as ever in his clean sheet performance back there, but personally, I miss him in the midfield. FotMob gave a 7.3 to the versatile homegrown.
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Justin Haak – 6.4
Justin Haak is back! Justin got his first minutes of any kind since March 4 when he got the start at center back, occupying the middle slot of the back-thee for much of the match. I thought it was a really strong performance from the homegrown considering how infrequently he’s played and the fact that he was playing out of position. He looked calm, made no significant errors, and kept a clean sheet. Job done as far as I’m concerned. FotMob handed him a 7.1.
Maxime Chanot – 6.8
Maybe it wasn’t the most dominant performance from the veteran center back, but hey, a clean sheet is a clean sheet. While Bobby Wood was definitely offside on his first-half strike, the fact that Chanot was beaten so easily again by a lofted long ball over the top is concerning me a bit… But no harm no foul I suppose. FotMob gave a 7.1 to the Luxembourgish lad.
Brian Cufré – 5.9
I thought he had a pretty decent match until he was sent off in the 89th minute for a truly puzzling red card that will see him suspended for next week’s match at Real Salt Lake. Sure, Braian Cufré caught him and studs were showing, but it was as inadvertent as it gets, and it seem like the ref had a good look at it to begin with. Once the red was given on the field it was going to be tough to overturn using VAR, so Cushing will have to make something happen next week with a dwindling fullback contingent in Utah. FotMob handed him a 6.0.
Stephen Turnbull (off 74′) – 5.9
It was another decent outing from the NYCFC II call-up, playing right wing back to good effect. He looked confident and more or less capable, which is all you can ask of a player who’s stepping up in difficult times. FotMob gave him a 6.8.
Luis Barraza – 6.0
Luis Barraza will be happy with the clean sheet he earned on Saturday, which was the first earned by the No 1 since a March 11 shutout of Inter Miami FC at Citi Field all those weeks ago. His one big save did come off his own giveaway, so that might cancel itself out, but overall it was another solid showing from Luis. FotMob gave a 7.0.
Substitutes
Talles Magno (on 62′) – 4.6
When Talles Magno came on he went straight into the No 9 position in search of a much-needed confidence booster for him, and the whole squad. Unfortunately, the Brazilian was basically a non-factor in his 30-minute cameo, which didn’t see him register a shot. We need more from Talles Magno, but he’s clearly short on confidence. Hopefully, he can find that from within himself soon — for his sake and ours. FotMob gave a 6.7.
Matías Pellegrini (on 74′) – 4.8
I kinda forgot Matí Pellegrini featured in this game, and maybe that tells you all you need to know. Or maybe I’m just not a great journalist? Either way, HRB readers weren’t enthralled either giving him a lowly 4.8, much lower than FotMob’s 6.0.
Mitja Ilenič (on 74′) – 5.6
It feels weird to say this about an 18-year-old with only 11 MLS appearances, but boy do we need this kid back healthy. With Tayvon Gray suspended by MLS and Cufré suspended, having him healthy on Saturday is essential. Plus, I think he could thrive as the RWB in this three-back system under Cushing. FotMob gave a 6.0
Tony Alfaro (on 87′)) – 5.0
Tony Alfaro came on in the 87th minute for Keaton in a somewhat disappointingly defensive substitution at home in a 0-0 game. Clean sheet secured, so Tony did his job at least. He didn’t register enough minutes for a FotMob rating.
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Players of the Match
Gabriel Pereira and James Sands
For the first time in HRB Player Ratings history, we have a tie for the Player of the Match. Gabi and Jimmy share the spoils at the top of this deflating 0-0 draw. They both played well, and both must be disappointed to leave with only a point.
Head Coach
Nick Cushing – 5.3
In the postgame press conference, I asked Nick how was dealing with this run of form on a personal level. He replied saying he was “finding it really difficult.” This guy clearly wants to win as badly as anyone else, but it’s just not happening for the Englishman, whose winless stretch now extends to eight matches. I feel for the guy, and agree that the team has played better of late. But for his sake and that of the fans, a win really has to come soon.
I know that, you know that, and he knows that.
Rosendo Mendoza (referee) – 4.2
I don’t think that was a red card. Have a nice day Rosendo.
Kevin Egan and Taylor Twellman (Apple TV announcers) – 4.5
Kevin Egan has called a few of NYCFC’s games, and Taylor Twellman is an MLS celeb — as well as a devout New England partisan. But our readers still don’t think much of them, or what Apple TV is bringing to these games.
Glenn Crooks and Matt Lawrence (NYCFC announcers) – 7.1
Once again, the NYCFC Radio broadcast team log the strongest performances of the night. If NYCFC had a Starting XI of Glenns and Matts, they’d sit in first place.
