NYCFC vs Atlanta Player Ratings

New York City FC player ratings are determined by Hudson River Blue readers — here are your grades from NYCFC’s disappointing 1-1 draw at home in the Bronx to a superior Atlanta United team reduced to 10 men on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Starting XI

Gabriel Segal (off 64′) – 5.1

The Stanford grad made his second start in as many weeks at the No 9. The good: Segal allows Talles Magno to shift over to his preferred spot on the left. The bad: Segal had only 14 touches and one shot in 64 minutes of play. FotMob gave him a more favorable 6.1.

Talles Magno – 5.3

Last week’s goal-scorer and POTM had a quiet week, managing only two shots on target. More concerning was his detachment from the rest of the attack: The Brazilian was an island unto himself. FotMob awarded him a 6.8.

Santi Rodríguez – 6.3

The NYCFC playmaker was as muted as the rest of the attack, especially when compared to Thiago Almada, his counterpart on the Atlanta side. FotMob gave Almada an 8.3 and POTM honors, and gave Santi a 6.8.

Matías Pellegrini (off 64’) – 4.9

The anti-Matí sentiment runs deep in the NYCFC fam. The right winger had a pass accuracy of 88%, won 100% of his tackles, made nine recoveries — and was given the lowest rating on the team for his efforts. FotMob gave him a 7.5, which puts him behind only Gabriel Pereira and Mitja Ilenič.

Keaton Parks  – 5.8

Big Bird has yet to find his form in 2023. Even then, FotMob gave him a solid 7.3.

James Sands (off 64’) – 6.4

Sands had to leave the game after Atlanta enforcer Franco Ibarra made a crunching red card-worthy tackle, but early reports are nothing was broken or sprained. FotMob gave him a 7.1 for his time on the field.

Maxime Chanot – 6.7

The veteran center-back was a beast in the back for most of the match, although he’s as guilty as the rest of the defense for the mental lapse that led to Atlanta’s goal. FotMob awarded him a 7.3.

Thiago Martins – 6.8

The defensive partnership between Thiago Martins and Chanot is developing with every game. FotMob was a little more stingy than our readers, awarding the center-back a 6.7.

Mitja Ilenič – 6.8

The 18-year-old defender was one of the bright spots on an otherwise dull night, bombing up the right flank and making incursions into the middle of Atlanta’s half. We’re genuinely excited that we get to watch this young player develop over the season. FotMob gave him a 7.7.

Braian Cufré – 6.2

The left-back wasn’t the spark that Ilenič was on the right, but he put in his shift: Five interceptions, five recoveries, five clearances. Fotmob gave him a 6.9.

Luis Barraza – 6.7

In what might be a first, HRB readers were significantly more generous with their ratings than the algorithm: You gave NYCFC’s newest No 1 a 6.7 to FotMob’s 6.4.

Substitutes

Gabriel Pereira (on 64’) – 7.9

Last year we asked the question: Is Gabi a starter or a super-sub? If he keeps scoring goals like this one, then he’ll be the game-changer off the bench NYCFC need. Rather, the starting left winger. No, def a sub. Scratch that, he should always be in the Starting XI. FotMob gave him a 7.7.

Richy Ledzema (on 64’) – 5.6

The attacking midfielder didn’t have the same impact coming off the bench as he did last week, when his energy punished New England. Then again, nobody on the New York City squad measured up last night. FotMob gave him a 6.1.

Alfredo Morales (on 64′) – 5.8

A solid night from Morales, who was called on to replace the injured Sands. He posted a 94% pass accuracy, and made one clearance and one recovery in his short time on the field. FotMob gave him a 6.1.

Player of the Match

Gabriel Pereira

Start at the top of the box, move the ball in from the right, shoot with the left: We’ll gladly watch Gabi’s signature shot game after game.

Head Coach

Nick Cushing – 4.8

As usual, our readers saved their toughest ratings for the head coach, referee, and Apple TV announcers.

Drew Fischer (referee) – 4.9

In what might be a first in MLS, Fischer called a yellow card foul on James Sands only to VAR it back and instead give a straight red to Atlanta enforcer Franco Ibarra. Crazy times.

Tony Husband (Apple TV play-by-play) – 3.9

Not a lot of love for the former BBC announcer.

Ross Smith (Apple TV analyst) – 4.0

Ditto Smith, who was the Portland Timbers broadcast analyst for the last nine years.

Glenn Crooks (NYCFC Radio play-by-play) – 7.5

This week the fan favorite’s rating trails only that of POTM Gabi: Crooks keeps good company.

Matt Lawrence (NYCFC Radio analyst) – 7.2

Señor Tough Love was at it again, reading the game with the insight that makes him so interactive. When is Apple TV going to let us listen to NYCFC Radio during away games?