New York City FC player ratings are determined by Hudson River Blue readers — here are your NYCFC player ratings after the 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati in what was arguably their worst performance in what was already a rough season.
To be honest, compiling woeful player grades from angry fans after increasingly disappointing results is getting quite depressing. So, for the sake of all of us, I’ll do my best to keep these brief.
Starting XI
Mounsef Bakrar (off 57′) – 4.1
Mounsef Bakrar was barely involved in the game, and thus gets a 4.0. FotMob gave a 6.1. There you go.
Maxi Moralez (off 66′) – 5.4
Hey at least Maxi Moraelz is still back though, right? Maxi’s return and subsequent positive play is probably the only feel-good story surrounding NYCFC of late that wasn’t clothing-related, so we’ll take our small victories where we can get them.
FotMob gave the NYCFC legend a 7.1 on the night, joint-highest of any New York City player.
Julián Fernández (off 66′) – 3.9
He had some bright spots, and it’s clear the kid has game, but Julián Fernández and the rest of this front line didn’t do nearly enough to challenge a Cincinnati backline that came off playing 120 minutes just a few days ago. FotMob gave a 6.8 to the newcomer.
Instant Reaction: NYCFC’s season ended tonight
Keaton Parks – 4.7
I thought Keaton Parks looked like one of the only players making any sort of impact out there on Saturday in an NYCFC jersey, but it wasn’t enough. A crisp save from Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Calentano denied Keaton his third goal of the season, and denied NYCFC any tangible consolation.
FotMob gave Keaton the same 7.1 team-high as Maxi.
Andrés Perea – 5.7
Hey, Andrés Parea looked alright too … at least I think? It’s pretty hard to pull much from such a poor game from an NYCFC perspective, but Andrés looked confident and got forward with an intent we haven’t seen from our No 8s previously. He was unlucky not to score in the end.
FotMob gave the Columbian a 6.6.
Game Recap: NYCFC reach new low in lopsided road loss to FC Cincinnati
Braian Cufré (off 84′) – 4.5
I have very little recollection of anything Braian Cufré did in this match, positive or negative. I’m still waiting for him to influence matches in the way his technical ability would suggest he can.
FotMob gave a 6.7.
Mitja Ilenič (off 57′) – 4.4
I’ve been a bit disappointed with Mitja Ilenič of late, mostly because of how high my expectations were for the kid at the start of the season. He arrived with bright eyes and positive play, looking absolutely fearless in possession and flaunting a desire to get forward and make things happen.
Unfortunately, I just haven’t seen that recently from him. FotMob gave the youngster a 6.0 for his 57 minutes of work.
Birk Risa – 4.8
Birk Risa’s long-range passing and comfort in possession stole the show for me despite the defeat last week at Citi Field, but we didn’t see nearly as much of that on Saturday. Going four-for-eight in long passing isn’t great, but going one-for-six in ground duels and one-for-four in aerial duels will probably be more concerning statistics for a center half.
FotMob gave the Norwegian a team-low 5.3
Thiago Martins – 3.5
As reflected by having the lowest rating of any outfield player in the Starting XI, Thiago Martins had a rough showing out there on Saturday. Only winning two out of six duels in the air is uncharacteristic of the Brazilian, and his clumsy giveaway at the top of the box almost led to another goal for the hosts on the night.
FotMob gave a 5.5.
Tayvon Gray – 4.5
Tayvon Gray didn’t make any glaring errors on the evening, but hardly announced himself as a force back there either. But, he and his backline conceded three and could’ve been more, so the low score is expected.
FotMob gave a 6.5.
Luis Barraza – 3.1
I don’t want to defend Luis Barraza too hard here because I think everyone was poor on the night, but I’m still a bit confused as to why Luis continues to get pummeled with low scores for goals that he had no chance of saving. But hey, we’re all frustrated, so I get it.
FotMob gave a more reasonable 5.8.
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Substitutes
Talles Magno (on 57′) – 3.3
Talles Magno came on in the 57th minute, and looked somewhat threatening at times. That’s it.
FotMob gave a 5.7.
Matías Pellegrini (on 66′) – 2.7
I knew this score would be low from the second I saw him getting subbed in. HRB readers are clearly fed up with the Argentine.
FotMob gave a 6.5.
Richy Ledezma (on 66′) – 3.7
I honestly forgot we subbed in Richy Ledezma, but he was allegedly subbed on in the 66th minute. FotMob gave him a 6.0.
Alonso Martínez (on 84′) – 4.2
Alonso Martinez made his NYCFC debut on Saturday. He didn’t see enough time for a FotMob rating.
Is this the best NYCFC apparel collaboration yet?
Player of the Match
No Award
In a first for HRB, there is no POTM. So few votes were cast that we decided to skip the honor this week.
NYCFC’s summer makeover not translating to immediate improvement
Head Coach
Nick Cushing – 1.5
Aight, here’s the one y’all are probably waiting for…
It was an utterly flat performance from NYCFC on Saturday — there’s just no two ways about it. And, while any team can have an off-night, it just can’t happen to NYCFC right now.
Last week, New York City were by far the better team, but they lost. They created all the necessary chances and contained Minnesota’s best, but NYCFC still found a way to lose. It was a gut punch.
How did the team respond? Did they look at the table, pick themselves up off the floor, and say, “Lets make a playoff push?” No. They conceded cheaply in the sixth minute, and were second best for the remaining 84 minutes.
It’s just unacceptable.
NYCFC playoff tracker
Referee
Chris Penso – 5.4
This match had a referee.
FC Cincinnati vs NYCFC video highlights
Broadcast Announcers
Keith Costigan and Maurice Edu (Apple TV) – 4.2
The Apple TV team were mostly ok: They pronounced names correctly, and didn’t favor either side. Keith Costigan and Maurice Edu did their jobs on a night when they knew almost nobody was watching NYCFC and Cincinnati with Lionel Messi in the lineup for Inter Miami at Red Bull Arena.
speaking to the disappointment on Illenic considering his glare’d intro to the team, the more reasons to give Coaching a lesser grade. if noticed, the every ‘promising’ young talent goes rather downfall than expected or anticipated. Thiago (remember him?), Magno, Santi, Illenic … i know it can’t be dubbed simple, but there’s something. being hidden under the great decline of the team in the big picture, but we’ve got to notice the decline of ‘young prominent’. seriously… while with up & downs that’s what the previous coaches excelled at, right? Dommy, Ronny. they really made and help some prominent young boys become men. we don’t see that under Cushing’s regime any more. shame and concerning. really