New York City FC player ratings are determined by Hudson River Blue readers — here are your NYCFC player ratings from the 1-1 last-minute draw with Orlando City on Wednesday, May 17 at Exploria Stadium.
Starting XI
Santiago Rodríguez – 5.7
The rating you awarded to Santiago Rodríguez sums up the emotions pulsing through NYCFC fans right now: You expect more from this team. The FotMob algorithm calculated his touches (73), passing accuracy (80%), successful dribbles (5 out of 6), chances created (3), and awarded him an 8.0, which ties him for the highest rating on the night (see Keaton Parks, below).
Gabriel Pereira – 6.6
Gabriel Pereira created some chances and took some shots, but he looked a little isolated at times. We know he can do better. Was it because he wasn’t linking up with Tayvon Gray? FotMob gave Gabi a 7.8.
Matías Pellegrini (off 9′) – 3.4
We’ll say it again: You’re a tough crowd. Matías Pellegrini limped off the field after just nine minutes, and in that time he made one interception, one recovery, and one pass. It was too little for a FotMob rating, but you handed the winger a team-low 3.3 rating. Kinda feels like there’s an anti-Matí vibe among our readers.
Richy Ledzema (off 46′) – 4.6
The up-and-coming midfielder’s sixth start of the season wasn’t his strongest performance — his tandem with Santi didn’t quite click in the attack. He was pulled at the half for Gabriel Segal, who went on to even the score in the 89th minute. FotMob awarded Ledezma a good-not-great 6.2.
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Keaton Parks (off 88′) – 5.5
Keaton Parks gets yet another tough review from HRB readers — you awarded him a 4.4 last week. But if Santi’s poor rating is an expression of your high standards, Keaton’s poor rating might be because of cognitive dissonance: The midfielder created two chances, took two shots, made two successful dribbles, and had a passing accuracy rate of 97%. FotMob gave him an 8.0, which puts him even with Santi and Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese for the best rating of the night, but they awarded the player affectionally known as Big Bird the Player of the Match.
James Sands – 6.2
James Sands switch the play like no other — his long balls into the attacking third are things of beauty. He was four-for-four with long balls, which helped him earn a 7.2 from FotMob.
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Maxime Chanot – 6.2
Another day at the office for Maxime Chanot: Three clearances, three headed clearances, four recoveries, one shot on target that could’ve been the sweetest of goals. FotMob gave him a 6.8.
Thiago Martins – 6.3
Thiago Martins and Chanot are still developing their chemistry, but it’s happening. Really. Just set aside the early disorganization that allowed Orlando to score in the seventh minute. FotMob gave him a 7.1.
Kevin O’Toole (off 88′) – 5.2
Kevin O’Toole made his third start in a row, and his bombing hoop and down the flank helped feed NYCFC’s attack — and made the left side that much more dangerous. O’Toole’s 96% passing accuracy helped him to a 7.1 rating from FotMob.
Tayvon Gray (off 63′) – 3.7
You weren’t impressed with Tavon Gray’s performance — only the un-loved Matí received a lower rating on the night. True, Tayvon doesn’t look fully recovered from the injuries that have been bothering him, and he didn’t add much to the attack. But a 3.7 seems a little harsh. FotMob gave Tayvon a cordial 7.0.
Luis Barraza – 5.8
What does Luis Barraza need to do to get his second clean sheet of the season? The NYCFC shot-stopper allowed a single goal for the third game in a row, and while Barraza made some clutch saves, his performances are hovering in the OK-to-good zone. Fotmob gave him a 6.8 for the second game in a row.
Substitutes
Talles Magno (on 9′) – 6.5
Talles Magno started the night on the bench, and ended it as one of the game’s heroes. The Designated Player was seemingly given another time-out by head coach Nick Cushing, but after Talles Magno replaced an injured Pellegrini he put in a solid shift. He created chances, took shots, moved the ball, and threaded the needle with a cross that was stabbed home by Segal in the 89th minute. That was good enough for FotMob to give him a 7.7.
Gabriel Segal (on 46′) – 7.8
Talk about an impact sub: The Stanford grad came in at the half, and celebrated his 22nd birthday by scoring his first goal in MLS when he knocked in a cross from Talles Magno to even the score in the dying minutes of the game (see above). Cathartic goal aside, Segal had a solid night all around. The striker took three shots, and his runs at goal allowed Talles Magno to do his thing on the left. Funny what scoring will do: The rating you awarded Segal is higher than the 7.4 he earned from FotMob.
Mitja Ilenič (on 63′) – 6.2
Mitja Ilenič adds so much to NYCFC’s attack: The dynamics on the right side of the field changed when the 18-year-old was brought in for Gray. FotMob gave him a 6.3 — for once, HRB readers and FotMob agree
Andres Jasson (on 88′) – 4.8
Andres Jasson was brought on in the 88th minute, and NYCFC scored one minute later. Coincidence? Probably, although he was making a late run into the box when Segal found the back of the net. Still, not much love for Jasson from HRB readers.
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Player of the Match
Gabriel Segal
Was there any doubt? Segal’s goal was the first NYCFC managed to score in three games, and earned the team their first point since April 22. In the post-game press conference, Segal said he felt it coming. “I knew that the next shot I got, I was just going to give it my all to get a goal,” Segal said. “From the start, you want that, and I did want that in those other games, but in this game, I came in thinking a bit less about it – I was honestly just out there trying to play like a kid: rip some shots and get one to go in.”
Amen.
Head Coach
Nick Cushing – 5.1
Cushing’s hand was forced when Pellegrini came off early with an injury: He had to play Talles Magno. But the decision to pull Ledezma for Segal – and replace a playmaker with a goal-scorer who had yet to score – was pure FIFA Soccer Manager. Give the gaffer credit for making the change that favorably impacted the game.
Sergii Boiko (referee) – 5.6
Sergii Boiko is new to MLS, but the 45-year-old has been a FIFA referee since 2011. The Ukrainian international moved to the United States because of the war, and is now a member of PRO Referees. He did good – no botch-ups, no controversies. You awarded him the second-highest referee rating this season for his troubles.
Tony Husband and Ross Smith (Apple TV announcers) – 5.2
The Apple TV announcers are getting better every week. Troy Husband and Ross Smith made insightful comments about both teams, and didn’t show favor or bias. Maybe that’s not enough for our readers who want a little more juju, like what NYCFC Radio announcer Glenn Crooks brings to the game:
