New York City FC player ratings are determined by Hudson River Blue readers — here are your NYCFC player ratings after the team gave away the lead, twice, and were seconds away from their first home win of the season.
Starting XI
Richy Ledezma (off 75′) – 6.2
Richy Ledezma was thiiiiis close to getting on the scoresheet after his sharp run to the near post and subsequent sliding effort was denied at close range by former USMNT ‘keeper Brad Guzan. He was inches from glory, inches from three points, and inches from a higher HRB rating, but that’s how it goes sometimes. FotMob was impressed, and gave the American loanee a 7.7.
Santiago Rodríguez (off 90′) – 5.6
On a night when NYCFC scored twice and threatened pretty consistently, you might have expected Santiago Rodríguez to have had more of an attacking impact. The Designated Player’s goal drought now extends to eight games. Fotmob gave a 6.1, his lowest of the season.
Gabriel Pereira (off 75′) – 9.2
The only thing wrong with Gabriel Pereira’s performance was that it was cut short when he was subbed off — Gabi was excellent on Wednesday. The Brazilian continues to be the club’s most dangerous attacker, and his two well-taken goals are prime examples of the threat he offers. Fotmob gave a Player of the Match 8.6 rating.
• Instant Reaction: Disappointment again as NYCFC draw Atlanta
Keaton Parks – 5.8
Despite the classy assist in the first minute to set up GP’s opener, the fans bring the hammer down on Keaton Parks again with a 5.2 rating. He had a 7.4 rating from FotMob, an assist, 93% passing accuracy, and five ball recoveries: Fans must be seeing flaws in Keaton’s game that I’m missing.
Alfredo Morales – 5.2
Alfredo Morales went the full 90 in his fourth consecutive start on Wednesday, marking his longest streak of consecutive starts this season. But, given his HRB ratings of late and his FotMob rating of 6.7, perhaps he’s not settling in quite as well as hoped.
Brian Cufré (off 76′) – 5.4
Ledezma wasn’t the only one inches away from a better rating, as it was Braian Cufré’s dangerous ball into the area that almost led to the American’s goal. If that goes in, you can’t help to think this would be a very different score. FotMob gave a familiar 6.8.
Stephen Turnbull – 5.4
As if this man didn’t take enough of a beating out there on Wednesday, HRB readers delivered one more blow to the hard-working wingback with a lowly 5.4 rating. After two brutal knocks to the head and a few other chopping challenges to his lower half, I just hope the poor lad’s okay. FotMob, being a cold unfeeling machine with no human emotion, gave the battered warrior a 6.6.
• NYCFC choke, give away lead twice in Atlanta
Tony Alfaro (off 73′) – 5.2
I’m not saying it’s his fault necessarily, but it does feel telling that the last three goals NYCFC have conceded have come down Tony Alfaro’s left side. But, with Thiago Martins suspended, Maxime Chanot on international duty, and Cushing continuing to opt for the back-three, there’s been very little room for adjustment in defense. FotMob gave a 6.7 to the American defender for his performance.
Justin Haak – 5.8
I continue to be really impressed with Justin Haak’s passing range from center back, as he’s taking full advantage of the extra time and space afforded to him back there compared to in the midfield. But, when your highest-ranked defender is taking home a 5.8 HRB score, you could probably guess it wasn’t the team’s best defensive display. FotMob gave a 6.8.
Tayvon Gray – 4.6
I will say, I like Tayvon Gray a whole lot more as a right center-back in the back three than I do at right wingback. He looks more comfortable in possession there, and he’s left to focus on what he does best: Defending. However, fans clearly weren’t pleased with his display anyhow, as his 4.6 rating was the lowest of any starter on the night. FotMob was far more generous, giving a 6.8.
Luis Barraza – 4.8
This was one of the first times all season I’ve been able to point the finger at Luis Barraza for a shot-stopping error. He’s more than capable of saving that shot from that angle, despite the power it was hit with. But goalkeepers are their own harshest critics, so I’m sure he doesn’t need to hear that from me, or FotMob’s 6.4 rating.
Substitutes
Talles Magno (on 75′) – 4.6
I’m sure Talles Magno wanted to score this match and end his scoring drought, especially after making way for the eventual goal-scorer, Gabe Segal, in the second half on Saturday. Unfortunately for the struggling young Brazilian, that wasn’t the case. He saw 20 minutes or so off the bench, but with his side defending a goal for the majority of that time, he hardly had the creative attacking freedom he needs to be successful. FotMob gave a 6.3 for his efforts.
Kevin O’Toole (on 75′) – 4.7
I can’t help but think he could’ve gotten tighter to the ball on the play that led to Atlanta’s equalizer, as he was left static as the ball slipped straight past him into a dangerous area. I know you can’t afford to get beaten 1v1 on the dribble there, but the attacker had all the time in the world to pick out that pass. FotMob dished out another 6.3 to the American.
Matías Pellegrini (on 76′) – 3.6
Minutes have been sparse for the former DP who started every game at the dawn of this season. And, in his 15-minute cameo on Wednesday, he may not have done himself any favors to remedy that, earning the lowest HRB score of the day with a 3.6.
FotMob was less harsh, giving the Argentinian an even 6.0.
Andres Jasson (on 90′) – 4.2
When you enter the game in the 90th minute tasked with defending a lead, and your team then gives up that lead just minutes later, it’s hard to expect a glowing review from the fans, regardless of Andres Jasson’s actual impact on that play. Andres didn’t log enough minutes to earn a FotMob rating.
Player of the Match
Gabriel Pereira
Who else could this possibly go to? It was one of the strongest individual displays I can recall from an NYCFC player this season, so winning over 90% of the vote makes perfect sense to me.
Head Coach
Nick Cushing – 3.0
Oof. I know he’s played a lot of minutes recently, we have another game on Saturday, and head coach Nick Cushing wanted to shut up shop for the win. But damn, subbing out GP in the 76th minute really hurt us. It’s probably the most resoundingly negative reaction to a single substitution I’ve seen from NYCFC Twitter in some time, and I can’t say I disagree with them.
Officiating
Jon Freemon (referee) – 5.5
There was a lot of frustration (again) from NYCFC fans and players alike after Wednesday’s match. Keaton Parks even took to Twitter to express his displeasure with a call that went against him late on in the match, which is probably the strongest public reaction to an NYCFC referee I’ve seen since Cushing’s press conference rant following the Cincinnati game.
Broadcast Team
Tyler Terens and Devon Kerr (Apple TV) – 3.9
Is this the NYCFC team for Apple TV? They call many of New York City’s games, but there’s no connection with the fans. Or at least the NYCFC fans who get into ratings forms on HRB.
