New York City FC player ratings are determined by Hudson River Blue readers — be sure to check HRB immediately following the final whistle of each game to fill out the form for that match. Below you will find you ratings from NYCFC’s 3-2 win over DC United at Yankee Soccer Stadium on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Starting XI
Talles Magno (off 80’) – 7.4
Talles Magno finally opened his account this season with his first half-finish to break the deadlock in the 17th minute. It was a goal that meant a lot to Talles: Not only his first of the season, but he scored in front of his family, who were in attendance at Yankee Stadium. Ultimately, the game served as a huge confidence boost for the young Brazilian. Fans gave him a 7.4, while FotMob gave him an even more impressive 8.1.
Santi Rodríguez – 8.1
Santi looked good last week, but was just unable to find his way onto the scoresheet despite a few good chances vs Miami. This week, however, he was lethal. A goal and an assist to his name puts the new DP off and running on the season, and I think we can expect many more performances like these from here on out. FotMob gave him an impressive 8.5 on the day, the highest of any NYCFC player.
Gabriel Pereira (off 68’) – 5.8
GP struggled to get involved to his full capabilities for the second week in a row at Yankee Stadium, but he was able to bag an assist with his well-timed through-ball to Santi Rodriguez for New York City’s second. Fans gave him a 5.8, which is a bit harsh in my opinion for someone with a goal contribution, but I get it: GP wasn’t at his best. FotMob gave him a more favorable 7.3.
Matías Pellegrini – 6.5
In the post-match press conference, Nick Cushing was quick to praise Matí for his work rate on the day, which marks a growing narrative surrounding the Argentinian: He works damn hard out there. He got a bit more love from fans for his efforts this week, as his rating shows improvement from last week’s 5.9. Now he just needs to get on the scoresheet. FotMob gave him a more generous 7.4.
Keaton Parks – 7.7
It was an absolute masterclass from KP55 in the first half especially, and Cushing was quick to praise that first half-performance in the presser. Parks played the line-splitting ball to unlock the DC defense on the first goal, and won the ball back to launch the counter for the second. He did get absolutely dunked on for DC’s second, which made the last few minutes of the match a bit nervy. But overall, it was a really strong performance. Maybe FotMob was focusing on that set piece defending, as they gave him a harsh 6.8.
James Sands – 7.4
It was another solid performance from the homegrown, who showed his quality and comfort again out there on the tight Yankee Stadium pitch. His technique and movement were crisp and controlled, and were more-or-less mistake-free on the night. FotMob and HRB readers saw eye-to-eye on this one, with both giving Sands a 7.3.
Maxime Chanot – 6.4
Earlier this week, the 33-year-old Luxemburger was called up to help his nation with upcoming Euro qualification, and he showed that UEFA-caliber quality in a few difficult circumstances he was put under on Saturday. When asked who his player of the match was in the post-match presser, Cushing made sure to send some love to his CB pairing, citing their ability to make things difficult for star DC forward, Christian Benteke. FotMob gave him a 6.7 for those efforts.
Thiago Martins – 6.7
The DP CB made a couple of important challenges that night, including one that put a much-needed end to a weaving Ku-DiPietro run that gave other NYCFC defenders all sorts of hell. He also won a few big aerial duels over the aforementioned aerial threat in Benteke. FotMob was consistent in their CB evaluation, giving Martins the exact same score as HRB readers, and the exact score as Chanot: 6.7.
Tayvon Gray – 6.3
It was a return to the Starting XI after back-to-back weeks of battling injury for Tayvon Gray, and his return was a solid one all around for the Bronx native. He won the ball back often for his side, and made a few clutch clearances in the seemingly infinite extra time period that took us to the 102nd minute. He had the highest FotMob rating of any defender on the night, clocking in at a 7.7 overall. Honestly, the 6.3 from the fans is a bit harsh for me…
Braian Cufré – 6.3
The Argentinian was able to register an assist on the day when he got on the end of a well-weighted Parks pass and squared it to a well-positioned Talles Magno for the team’s first goal. But even beyond the assist, he showed again that he’s just an overall solid player for this NYCFC team. FotMob dished him a 7.1 for his efforts.
Luis Barraza – 6.3
While Cushing has been hesitant to officially name Barraza the starter over newly-signed Matt Freese, the former NYCFC No 2 has been the No 1 in each match of this young campaign. Cushing gave him credit for an impressive double save in the second half, where he cut out a cross before making a quick reaction save in the aftermath. Both goals were tucked away in the corners from close ranger headers, so hardly much to criticize there from a DC goalscoring perspective. FotMob was critical, however, giving a 6.1.
Substitutes
Alfredo Morales (68’) – 5.9
The midfielder came in for GP in what was a defensive substitution from Cushing, and one that mostly paid off for NYCFC. I wouldn’t say Alfredo lit the world ablaze with his cameo, but he did what was necessary to get the three points. FotMob gave a 6.6.
Thiago (80’) – 7.6
Get someone who looks at you the way Thiago Andrade looks at DC United defenders. He was dangerous right from the get-go after coming on in the 80th minute, and was constantly looking to run off the shoulder and find space in behind. This approach offers something totally different from the way Talles plays the position, and could provide Cushing with an interesting alternative at the No 9 slot going forward.
Player of the Match
Santi Rodríguez
Santi won the overwhelming share of the vote for player of the match from HRB readers. A goal and an assist will do that for you pretty much every time. An in-form Santi is a scary sight for the league, so let’s hope he stays hot.
Head Coach
Nick Cushing – 6.9
It was another home match and another three points for Nick Cushing’s men on Saturday night. Cushing was loose entering the post-match presser, cracking a few jokes along the way. Overall, he was pleased with the performance, but frustrated with the timing of the goals conceded. Criticisms could include the team’s struggle of late to defend set pieces, which proved costly on the team’s second goal. And, while none of us were in there to hear it, maybe you could question his halftime team talk given DC scored instantaneously to start the second half…
Referee
Mark Allatin – 2.9
In what may be the most unsurprising thing of all time, NYCFC fans were not happy with the refereeing performance on the night. It just felt like every touch foul went against the home side. While VAR got it right in the end, the fact that the Talles Magno goal was called back in the first place was poor — everyone was pretty clearly onside. Plus, the play was blown dead on a number of occasions when NYCFC had a clear advantage.
Interestingly, in the post-match presser, DC United boss Wayne Rooney voiced his discontent with the referee as well, claiming his side were victims to poor decisions in the match. So, I think it’s fair to say Allatin didn’t have his best night out there given both parties left the field feeling hard done by…
Broadcast Announcers
Callum Williams (Apple TV play-by-play) – 4.7
The longtime announcer seemed honestly surprised at the (completely legit) size of the pitch at Yankee Soccer Stadium – which he spent several hours looking at last week when announced the NYCFC vs Inter Miami game – because he mentioned it again, and again, and again.
Calen Carr (Apple TV analyst) – 4.0
The former MLS player inched up .5 points over last week’s reading. We’re all working on ourselves.
Glenn Crooks (NYCFC Radio play-by-play) – 7.7
Our readers once again preferred listening to the “Home Team’s Local Radio” option on MLS Season Pass over the national announcers. What will happen next week, when NYCFC travel to Houston and listeners won’t have the NYCFC Radio option?
Matt Lawrence (NYCFC Radio analyst) – 7.7
Another solid performance from the NYCFC Radio team.
