New York City FC player ratings are determined by Hudson River Blue readers — here are your NYCFC player ratings after NYCFC outplayed Charlotte FC at Citi Field but ended the night with a 1-1 draw.
Starting XI
Talles Magno (off 62′) – 4.3
Well, you can’t fault the Brazilian’s ability to find space in dangerous areas, can you? He was making good runs and putting himself in great scoring positions all night long, and he just couldn’t find the finish.
But when you miss as many good chances as he did on the night, I can sympathize with the low score from the fans. FotMob went the other way, and gave a 7.0.
Matías Pellegrini (off 72′) – 4.9
He didn’t score a scissor-kick screamer on Wednesday, so understandably Pellegrini received a 4.9 from HRB readers. FotMob had him at 6.9.
Richy Ledezma – 6.1
I thought this was one of Richy Ledezma’s best performances of late on Wednesday — he looked dangerous all night long. He created a handful of chances for teammates that, on another day, could’ve easily resulted in a few more assists for our assist leader on the season. FotMob was impressed, giving a 7.7.
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Keaton Parks – 7.0
Keaton Parks is reaching new levels of late. His creative ability is top-class, and his ability to progress play on the dribble or with his seemingly improved passing range is insanely impressive.
If, for some reason, you still need convincing, go check out the Post 90’ Podcast tapes on Twitter they pulled together for him — it’s unbelievable how many highlight-worthy plays you can pull from a single Parks performance. FotMob gave a match-high 8.1 for Keaton’s efforts.
Alfredo Morales – 5.6
Alfredo Morales does what he does. He retains possession well, he shifts us from side to side, and he wins the ball back when it’s in reach. It’s not sexy, but it gets it done. FotMob gave a 6.9.
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Maxime Chanot – 7.1
Maxime Chanot remained solid in his third start in a row since returning from international duty. He looked comfortable in possession as usual, and made a few really important recovery challenges to shield Luis Barraza’s frame. He’s in great form.
FotMob and HRB readers were perfectly aligned here on 7.1 – which doesn’t happen very often, does it?
Justin Haak – 4.1
This is a tough one because I think Justin Haak is playing well for us at left center-back, but the Homegown had two unfortunate moments against Charlotte on Wednesday. First, his half-clearance led to Charlotte’s opener — although I will say that was still some hit from Orin McKinze Gaines to finish that. Then, he had a giveaway on an attempted pass-back that required significant intervention from his teammates to cover.
I’m really hoping Justin can put it behind him, because I still think there’s quite the player there at center-back. FotMob gave a 6.0.
Tayvon Gray – 5.9
The Bronx baller continues to look super comfortable at right center-back. Defensively I’m sure there were few doubts, but his in-possession play has really stood out to me there compared to when he’s at right-back — it’s night and day for me. FotMob was impressed, too, and gave a 7.2.
Mitja Ilenič (off 72′) – 6.3
Mitja Ilenič found himself in a ton of space all night long down that right flank, and had what felt like ten thousand crosses to show for it. Unfortunately, not many of those crosses found the mark, which was a bit frustrating.
But if he keeps going at that rate, those assists have to be on their way. Plus, a true No 9 making proper runs into the area will help.
FotMob felt similarly and gave a 6.6.
Braian Cufré (off 85′) – 8.0
Just as it was for Mitja, Braian Cufré had all kinds of space down his flank for large parts of the evening. The difference? Braian made them pay. It may have cost him his hamstring, but I think he’ll take it. That was some hit, and gave us a huge point at home on a night where we probably deserved all three. FotMob also gave an 8.0 on the button. Were you guys sharing notes or something?
Luis Barraza – 5.7
You could’ve had ten keepers in goal, and I’m not sure they would’ve kept out that McKinze Gaines strike, so let’s get that out of the way first and foremost. But beyond that, Charlotte didn’t threaten much, leaving little for Luis to handle by way of shot-stopping. So, a middle-of-the-road 5.7 from fans and 6.0 from FotMob feels about right.
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Substitutes
Gabriel Pereira (on 62′) – 6.6
Gabriel Pereira returned from injury as a second-half substitute to almost immediate effect when he smacked the woodwork with a right-footed shot just minutes after coming in. Damn, that was close, but damn, he is good. I’m hoping he’ll be healthy and ready to go the full 90′ on Saturday.
Gabriel Segal (on 72′) – 6.5
He didn’t score, but Gabriel Segal looks like a No 9 in ways others on this roster just don’t. He makes those types of runs, and he attacks space with conviction that some of the attacking midfielders and wingers on this team often lack. I’d be happy to see him start on Saturday. FotMob gave a 6.1, the same score they handed to Scott Arfield, Charlotte’s hotshot new Designated Player who also came on as a sub.
Stephen Turnbull (on 72′) – 5.9
Stephen Turnbull also found joy on that right flank when coming in for Mitja in the 72nd minute. Charlotte were clearly affording our wing backs that space, and I thought Turnbull did well to take advantage of that fact with little hesitation. FotMob handed him a 6.3.
Kevin O’Toole (on 85′) – 5.5
Kevin O’Toole entered the chat when Cufré’s hamstring exploded from the sheer force of his thunderbolt in the 84th minute. Kevin also found those pockets of space out wide, and found himself a few good crossing opportunities as a result. He didn’t log enough minutes for a Fotmob rating, but I thought he looked his usual, positive self out there.
NYCFC vs Charlotte video highlights
Player of the Match
Braian Cufré
Goal scorer = HRB Player of the Match winner. It’s like clockwork, and for good reason — this team struggles to score goals, so we better celebrate them when they happen. That was some strike from Braian to cap off an overall impressive display.
Now, let’s pray for that hamstring of his.
Head Coach
Nick Cushing – 5.3
In the glass-half-full way of thinking, NYCFC are now undefeated in their last seven games — and that includes away matches at Portland, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and Montréal. But if you see the glass as half-empty, NYCFC have just one win in that span, taking just nine points out of a possible 21. Your rating of Nick Cushing seems to reflect both: It wasn’t a bad result, but it should’ve been a win.
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Officiating
Filip Dujic (referee) – 4.1
Call a solid game, and you’re handed a 4.1. That’s showbiz.
Broadcast Team
Eric Krakauer and Lloyd Sam (Apple TV) – 3.9
The MLS Season Pass announcers for this match were Charlotte’s hometown broadcast team last year, and that bias crept into their patter. Even worse, Lloyd Sam is a former New Jersey Red Bull, and he took a few walks down memory road. No wonder this is the lowest score from our readers on the night.
Glenn Crooks and Matt Lawrence (NYCFC Radio) – 6.5
Professional and knowledgeable as always, Glenn Crooks and Matt Lawrence are always a welcome option to the MLS Season Pass team. Now when will Apple TV make them available for away games?
Disagree with solid for Dujic. Maybe he didn’t get a lot of the foul calls wrong but he totally failed to control Charlotte’s time-wasting and then didn’t give enough stoppage time to compensate.