New York City FC player ratings are determined by Hudson River Blue readers — here are your NYCFC player ratings from a New York City loss to FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup that felt inevitable.
Starting XI
Gabriel Segal (off 61′) – 4.7
The stand-in striker looked more comfortable on the field than in past games, but that doesn’t hide the fact that he had zero shots the entire game. He was awarded a modest 6.2 by FotMob.
Talles Magno (off 61′) – 4.8
Is Talles Magno one of the best young players in MLS? Or a Young Designated Player two years into his contract who has yet to make an impact on this team? Maybe both. FotMob gave him a 6.6.
Andres Jasson (off 61′) – 4.9
Playing on the right wing, Andres Jasson was easily handled by the Cincinnati defense. He did manage a shot. Off-target, but a shot nonetheless. FotMob gave him a 6.3.
Justin Haak – 5.0
Justin Hank was put in the Starting XI just minutes before the opening whistle to replace an injured Alfredo Morales. If you go by the numbers, Haak had a solid game: He had 91% pass accuracy, and won five ground duels. A performance like this one might have earned a 7.0 in a win, but it wasn’t a win. FotMob gave Haak a far more favorable 6.9.
James Sands – 5.0
James Sands was back in the midfield after filling in at center-back last week, but was partnered with the defensive-minded Haak rather than the more attacking Keaton Parks. Squad rotation, yo. Fotmob gave him a 6.6.
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Tony Alfaro – 5.0
Tony Alfaro’s club debut saw him in a back-three that looked pretty good, until it didn’t. He put in one of the better performances for New York City: He had 91% pass accuracy, and made eight recoveries and two interceptions. FotMob recognized his hard work, and gave Alfaro a 7.0.
Maxime Chanot – 5.0
We’ll say it again: NYCFC’s back-three looked good, until it didn’t. Was he accountable for Brandon Vazquez’s winning goal?FotMob gave Chanot a 6.3.
Thiago Martins – 5.0
Another solid shift in defense from Thiago Martins. The center-back makes good decisions that help control the game. Fotmob was similarly disappointed, handing out a lowly 6.9.
Tayvon Gray – 5.0
Finally, Tayvon Gray put in a full 90 minutes after missing much of the season due to injuries. It was a decent performance on a crummy night. FotMob gave Gray a 6.7.
Kevin O’Toole – 5.0
We miss the magic of 2022, when Kevin O’Toole leaped from NYCFC II to New York City’s Starting XI and helped rip apart some of the best defenses in MLS. Maybe we’ll see some of that again soon? FotMob handed him a 6.6.
Matt Freese – 5.0
Matt Freese put in a good performance in his NYCFC debut: The Iceman made four saves, including two diving blocks that kept the team in the game. Will we see more of him between the sticks? FotMob gave Freese a team-best 7.2.
Substitutes
Santi Rodríguez (on 61′) – 4.9
New York City’s newest Designated Player was brought on to change the game, and didn’t. FotMob gave him a 6.6.
Gabriel Pereira (on 61′) – 4.8
See above. Fotmob gave GP a 6.4.
Richy Ledzema (on 61′) – 4.8
See above. Fotmob gave Richy a 6.2.
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Player of the Match
Matt Freese
The goalkeeper was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise dim night. He was good with his feet, he stopped shots, and he sealed up his first POTM award with 50% of the vote.
Head Coach
Nick Cushing – 4.7
The 4.7 you gave head coach Nick Cushing is significantly higher than the 3.0 you awarded him after last Saturday’s loss to Charlotte FC, or the 3.6 you gave him after the loss to Toronto FC the week before. Does this mean that our readers are starting to understand the limitations placed on a coach who has no real options at striker? Or maybe you’re starting to become numb to the pain of loss after loss.
Timothy Ford (referee) – 5.3
What does it say when the referee gets the highest rating on the night — Timothy Ford’s 5.3 tops even POTM Freese’s 5.0. We’ll leave it there.
Josh Eastern and Devon Kerr (CBS Golazo Network announcers) – 4.7
The Golazo Network broadcast team felt more informed and even-handed than what we’ve seen on MLS Season Pass: They were calling the game and giving solid insight, not pulling for one side and reading from a Wikipedia page. We’ll note that Devon Kerr has worked NYCFC games for MLS Season Pass. Hopefully he’ll keep up the good work.
