Revolution 0-2 Dynamo: Player Ratings and Man of the Match

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/capable showing. The final ratings will be averages of individual ratings from Steve Stoehr, Matty Jollie, Abram Chamberlain, and Brendan Schimmel. Corey Major had to sit this one out.

Bobby Shuttleworth: Average Rating - 6.25 (Steve 5.5, Matty 6.5, Abram 6.5, Brendan 6.5)

Steve: Looked solid in a game where the conditions worked against everybody and made some good saves. Still two goals, though...Matty: MoTM. Huge one on one save, and several other key stops...Abram: With the exception of one bad giveaway, which ultimately led to nothing, he was on...Brendan: Yes two goals were let up, but a tired defense exposed him and left marks uncovered that led to them. Good command, leadership stuff from Bobby and great one on one save.

Kevin Alston: Average Rating - 5 (Steve 5, Matty 5.5, Abram 5, Brendan 4.5)

Steve: Offered very little good or bad. Mediocre, but not detrimental...Matty: Once again he was everywhere, and locked down the left side. Felt like he got a little gassed towards the end...Abram: He was one, of many, who sent a circa 1996 MLS shot into the upperdeck, but for the most part he stuck in on defense and got forward well...Brendan: Sloppy clearances. His pressing forward usually left a hole behind him which Carr filled with a diagonal run. Good stuff late in the game in the attack, shots need to get on target, condition of the pitch doesn't make that easy.

A.J. Soares: Average Rating - 4.125 (Steve 4, Matty 4.5, Abram 4, Brendan 4)

Steve: Played like he had shoes made of concrete for the last 20 minutes. Looked disinterested on the Clark goal, major part in allowing the flurry of chances at the end...Matty: Tough night, but still young...Abram: I despise Rico Clark, so the fact that AJ lost him on the game-winning-goal makes me really want to drop his score even further...Brendan: Busy day, but has to lose points for missing Clark streak right past him to get the winning goal. Lack of anticipation or just fatigue allowed Bruin's free chance on goal.

Stephen McCarthy: Average Rating - 5.25 (Steve 5, Matty 5, Abram 5.5, Brendan 5.5)

Steve: Pretty good night, all things considered. Should have had a goal, though...Matty: Somewhat invisible night, and that's a good thing for a defender. Was caught out of position on the goal...Abram: Was beat up several time on set pieces...Brendan: Tough in the air and did wall matching up and securing his area on many dangerous Dynamo set pieces.

Darrius Barnes: Average Rating - 5 (Steve 5, Matty 5, Abram 5, Brendan 5)

Steve: Did well enough on the night. Looked comfortable at right-back...Matty: His physical ability allowed him to perform well playing out of position...Abram: I was worried about him contending with Brad Davis, but for the most part he stuck with him, making the crosses difficult...Brendan: Solid and serviceable performance. Rarely let Houston wide players make runs behind him.

Kelyn Rowe: Average Rating - 4 (Steve 4, Matty 4, Abram 4, Brendan 4)

Steve: Culpable on the Garcia goal. Deliveries and passing off. There are less-heralded rookies getting it done right now, and he's just not...Matty: It's almost as if he's not up to MLS speed just yet. You expect more from a #3 pick...Abram: I expect a step up from him next year. He has the skill, but he needs to have his brain move faster...Brendan: Poor corner kicks. Tons of giveaways due to poor communication with Imbongo. Like to see a little more aggression when attacking the ball. Capable of better stuff.

Clyde Simms: Average Rating - 4.875 (Steve 5.5, Matty 4.5, Abram 4.5, Brendan 5)

Steve: Not polished, but this team lost the game when he was subbed off...Matty: Guy was playing hurt, so you really can't fault him too much. Admire the effort...Abram: I actually blame Heaps more than Clyde for that performance. Probably should have been on the bench not in the starting 11. Was slow and was bailed out by Shuttleworth on a few occasions...Brendan: Conundrum. Was it a Phelan hangover that made us appreciate him more in the beginning of the season?

Benny Feilhaber: Average Rating - 5.5 (Steve 5.5, Matty 6, Abram 5.5, Brendan 5)

Steve: Lively and aggressive, but faded in the second half without Simms...Matty: Stuck in on tackles, dangerous creativity, and it all went downhill when he had to cover Simms' role and sit back deeper...Abram: If Tally Hall hadn't stretched like Mr. Fantastic to stop Benny's free kick he would have been better. Once again Feilhaber shows he is great when given offensive control of the team. When forced back to cover for Simms after he left injured, he was not nearly as good...Brendan: Fantastic with the ball on his feet. Point guard like. 82nd minute let his man Weaver loose, told no body and stood flat footed and watched. He did the same thing with Rico Clark who he let loose and didn't track back or seem to tell anyone about the runner. His body language speaks volumes about his commitment and attitude. Maybe he's not meant to the carry the movie, but merely be a compliment to an excellent cast much like on USMNT.

Fernando Cardenas: Average Rating - 4.75 (Steve 4.5, Matty 4.5, Abram 5, Brendan 5)

Steve: He just always looks so much more dangerous than he actually is...Matty: All energy with no idea what to do with it...Abram: Just a typical high energy performance but no real result performance from Fernando...Brendan: El Pequeno was out sized by some of the MLS Ball Kids but didn't stop him from mixing it up. Good crosses. Pressing high is Cardenas strong suit where he can be a pest. Shots on net please.

Jerry Bengtson: Average Rating - 5.5 (Steve 5.5, Matty 5, Abram 5.5, Brendan 6)

Steve: Lively and dangerous, but for the love of God, finish your chances...Matty: You're only as good as the goals you score when you're a striker, and he should have buried the header...Abram: Absolutely should have smashed home - or at least got on frame - Cardenas's cross. There was another chance earlier where he should have finished. Needs to start putting away some of his chances or risk losing the hearts of some fans...Brendan: Great first half tons of pressure and great runs. Obvious lack of chemistry and feel with Imbongo and which saw them kind of forcing outside chances rather than playing off each other.

Dimitry Imbongo: Average Rating - 6 (Steve 5.5, Matty 6, Abram 6, Brendan 6.5)

Steve: Was one of the more dangerous attackers on the pitch. Touch and passing improved. Needs to score, though...Matty: Good stuff from Dimitry. Looked dangerous, physically talented, and certainly was a nuisance with his high pressure attack...Abram: Another good performance from Imbongo from the Congo. However, he also sent a shot sailing into downtown Houston instead of on frame. Looks to be someone we may want to bring back next year...Brendan: Great performance and good use of his size. Early on pressure led to tons of chances. Lack of chemistry and minutes saw him miss some open lay offs.

Juan Toja (sub): Average Rating - 4.25 (Steve 4, Matty 4, Abram 4, Brendan 5)

Steve: Still disconnected from teammates and still finding fitness. But he's also getting worse, it seems...Matty: Late on tackles, sloppy touch, as well as poor distribution. Not the impact the Revs wanted...Abram: Thought he was pretty damn terrible. Off on his touches, a few bad giveaways, no positive impact what so ever...Brendan: Everywhere? I'm kind of excited to see what 2013 Toja will be like. Might bring some soul and swagger to a club with an identity crisis. Lost points because of errant, poor touch eventually led to the Dynamo goal.

Diego Fagundez (sub): Average Rating - N/A

Blake Brettschneider (sub): Average Rating - N/A