After every match this season, the staff here at The Bent Musket will be putting together player ratings. Ratings are on a 1-10 scale, with 5 representing a thoroughly average performance, and 6 a decent/acceptable showing. The final ratings will be averages of individual ratings from Steve Stoehr, Corey Major, Matty Jollie, Abram Chamberlain, and Brendan Schimmel.
Matt Reis: Average Rating - 7.9 (Steve 8, Matty 7.5, Abram 8, Corey 8, Brendan 8)
Steve: Did a great job commanding his area and saving difficult Beckham free kicks. Unfortunate not to get the shutout...Matty: Good commanding performance, decisive...Abram: Some great saves off Beckham's free-kicks, not much he could do on the sole LA goal...Corey: played great, clutch saves against the likes of Beckham's free kicks...Brendan: Calm, poised level headed. We don't realize how much we are going to miss this guy when he retires.
Kevin Alston: Average Rating - 6.7 (Steve 6.5, Matty 6.5, Abram 6.5, Corey 7, Brendan 7)
Steve: Looked pretty good defensively and picked up an assist, but only featured for a half...Matty: Seemed a bit off, which was proven when he was taken off for injury...Abram: He suddenly looks like a legit MLS RB...Corey: played well, especially considering his disadvantage with the facemask and all. Nothing too special though...Brendan: Creating multiple chances from his penetrating runs. Both he and Tierney were dangerous going forward.
A.J. Soares: Average Rating - 7.3 (Steve 7, Matty 7, Abram 6.5, Corey 9, Brendan 7)
Steve: Put in a solid shift and defended well, but was partly at fault for Keane's goal...Matty: The everything man in the back line. Good recovery, good physicality...Abram: After a few shaky performances he was back to good form tonight...Corey: My MOTM. Best game ever...Brendan: Great all-around performance by Soares. Commanded the area, tight on Buddle most of the night.
Stephen McCarthy: Average Rating - 6.2 (Steve 6.5, Matty 6, Abram 5.5, Corey 7, Brendan 6.5)
Steve: Beaten along with Soares on the Keane goal, but was calm and assured otherwise...Matty: I want a little better from Macca. Positioning needs to be better as he lacks speed...Abram: He was good if not spectacular...Corey: Still playing well at CB, but still has a way to go...Brendan: Played well, his size is a huge asset. Some sloppy recovery at times but he's earned his spot.
Chris Tierney: Average Rating - 7.4 (Steve 7.5, Matty 7.5, Abram 7, Corey 7.5, Brendan 7.5)
Steve: Looked like a completely different player. Active, precise, and aggressive for the full 90...Matty: Nice goal, good overlapping runs. Abused Franklin at times...Abram: Great goal and almost a second off a great set piece made me forget all about Seth Sinovic for one night...Corey: Can we all just get off the dude's back already? HE HAD A GOOD GAME. Really showcased how far he's progressed...Brendan: Most improved performance of any player with a HUGELY improved passing game and a killer instinct around the next. Bravo Chris Tierney.
Kelyn Rowe: Average Rating - 7.5 (Steve 8, Matty 7.5, Abram 7, Corey 8, Brendan 7)
Steve: Preseason Rowe made an appearance today, got a goal and passed the ball well...Matty: Good as advertised today. Good first career goal...Abram: He looked like pre-season Kelyn Rowe today...Corey: Seems like he was more comfortable against LA in that he was more familiar with their style from the DDC. He made his case. First big game, hopefully more to come...Brendan: Oh hey there preseason Kelyn Rowe. Good possession in the attacking third.
Clyde Simms: Average Rating - 7.5 (Steve 7.5, Matty 7.5, Abram 7.5, Corey 7.5, Brendan 7.5)
Steve: Simms is not just an amazing defender, he pops up everywhere he could ever possibly be needed. Early candidate for team MVP...Matty: Continues to be the best offseason move. So steady, so solid...Abram: I always forget he's playing, and I mean that in the best possible way...Corey: Steady, poised, great pace. Quiet game but was also very involved...Brendan: He's literally another Shalrie Joseph. 44 of 46 passing is freaky.
Shalrie Joseph: Average Rating - 6.9 (Steve 7, Matty 7, Abram 7, Corey 7, Brendan 6.5)
Steve: Steady and poised, none of the giveaways characterizing his other midfield appearances. Benefits from a steady defensive midfield partner...Matty: Good passing. So much better with Simms behind him allowing freedom...Abram: Seems like he's learning to trust Simms and that has greatly improved his play...Corey: There were a couple times I thought he was a step too slow, or just a bit off, but played great nevertheless...Brendan: Typical Shalrie performance. Like to see him take more chances on net with some of the opportunities he had. Enabler.
Lee Nguyen: Average Rating - 7 (Steve 6.5, Matty 7, Abram 6.5, Corey 8, Brendan 7)
Steve: Still a creative force on the wing, but needs to learn to become a little more selfish or decisive in the end game...Matty: Good creating chances, loved seeing him playing D...Abram: Good game, not as good as he has been, at times took a few too many touches on the ball...Corey: Still can't believe he's on our team. Brilliant in tight spaces. Tracked back on defense when needed...Brendan: Great on the ball. Confident on the ball. Deceptive on the ball. Willing to maintain possession in situations we're used to seeing a panicked pass.
Ryan Guy: Average Rating - 7.9 (Steve 8, Matty 7.5, Abram 8, Corey 8.5, Brendan 7.5)
Steve: 100% all-effort performance and great dribbling on the assist...Matty: Best Ryan Guy performance yet, Heaps even said he was MoTM in postgame...Abram: Shocked to see him listed as a FW, but great up there. Interesting decisions when Benny comes back if Guy or Rowe sit...Corey: My dude. Understood his role. Was all over the place. Making the case to stay in the starting XI...Brendan: Great debut as a withdrawn striker. I love his off the ball movement. Creates spaces for penetrating runs by Rowe, Nguyen and Sene.
Saer Sene: Average Rating - 7.1 (Steve 7, Matty 7.5, Abram 7, Corey 7.5, Brendan 6.5)
Steve: Was having a decent if unmemorable performance before the goal, looked assured in his touches...Matty: Another goal for the big Frenchman. His aerial ability beginning to show...Abram: I was not expecting Sene to score off headers thought he was more of a ball at feet player from what I'd read. Great to see him score with the head...Corey: Looking closer to 100%. Great runs. Great spots...Brendan: True hold up man. Delicate though balls to overlapping midfielders constantly created chances.
Florian Lechner (sub): Average Rating - 6.1 (Steve 5.5, Matty 7, Abram 5.5, Corey 7, Brendan 5.5)
Steve: Looked dangerous and had plenty of desire, but it was his giveaway that led to the goal...Matty: Smooth. Professional. Liked his service from right flank...Abram: Not a great debut, not a poor debut. There were a few moments down the stretch where he tried to do too much. Will grow into the team...Corey: put in a good defensive effort, but still needs to get more comfortable and familiar with MLS play. Want to see him more, jury is still out...Brendan: Not a bad debut, some nice possession skills but did seem out of sync and expectedly so.
Fernando Cardenas (sub): Average Rating - 6.3 (Steve 6, Matty 6.5, Abram 6, Corey 7, Brendan 6)
Steve: Again a livewire running at tired legs late, nearly scored the goal of the year and had some good dribbles, but got too cute...Matty: Looked too eager to join the party, but his speed is undeniable...Abram: If his looping, lobbing shot had gone in it would have been goal of the year. I love how Heaps is using him as a late-game sub...Corey: Very involved when he came on. A little too fancy at times...Brendan: Did exactly what he was supposed to, run around like crazy and possess.
Alec Purdie (sub): Average Rating - N/A (Not enough time)
Steve: Links well with Cardenas in particular, but didn't have time to make an impact...Matty: Didn't see too much of Purdie, really to make an opinion...Abram: He was fine, but didn't do enough to warrant a rating...Corey: Not bad but not great. One giveaway sticks out...Brendan: Not totally sure what his role is late in the game, but size was a necessity.