Revolution 2-1 Sporting: Player Ratings and Man of the Match

Matt Reis: Average Rating - 8 (Steve 7, Corey 8, Abram 8, Jake 9)

Steve: Only had two saves to make, but was immense. Also commanded area well...Corey: I don't think an 8 is too high for Reis who had several crucial saves to keep the Revs ahead on the scoreboard. His save on the Dwyer shot was enormous...Abram: The goal was barely his fault, but rather the fault of a well taken dive. Probably won't be in the Goalkeeper of the Year discussion due to limited time, and that is criminal...Jake: Couldn't do anything about the goal but every save he had was huge, dominated his area by claiming tons of crosses. Best player on the field for the Revs by far.

Darrius Barnes: Average Rating - 4.63 (Steve 4.5, Corey 4, Abram 5, Jake 5)

Steve: Early in the match had positioning issues, but eventually locked down defensively...Corey: He had a few good moments on defense but in general I was not a fan. He seemed to be on a different page than everyone else, particularly Diego on the left side. He was caught drifting too often as well...Abram: Does not offer the same sort of attacking prowess as Alston or Tierney. This is why the team played with no width down the left...Jake: He was tasked with defending and that's what he did, even if that meant the Revs had zero support on the left flank offensively.

Jose Goncalves: Average Rating - 5.5 (Steve 5.5, Corey 5, Abram 5.5, Jake 6)

Steve: Thought he was solid all night...Corey: Had only a slightly above average performance. It was an a-typical game from JoGo in my opinion...Abram: Won most of the balls in the air, but as much as my heart wants to say he had a great game, my head say he didn't. Pass completion was horrendous...Jake: Have to wonder if he's still feeling the injury suffered in Columbus. Quick turnaround won't help but an 80-90% fit Goncalves is way better than most.

A.J. Soares: Average Rating - 6.25 (Steve 6, Corey 5.5, Abram 6.5, Jake 7)

Steve: One of the team's best passers on the night (seriously), and pretty good overall, which is just enough to counter his abysmal second-half clearances...Corey: Wasn't marking Colin close enough on the KC goal. Had an above average night on the whole but that hurt him...Abram: AJ had an overlooked performance. There were at least two huge tackles he made which stopped SKC counters. Passed exceptionally (27 out of 30 passes completed) under constant pressure...Jake: Okay, seriously, AJ is on a roll right now. I don't care if it was his mark (Collin) that scored SKC's goal, he's winning every header at the top of the box.

Andrew Farrell: Average Rating - 4.88 (Steve 5, Corey 5, Abram 4, Jake 5.5)

Steve: His passing was terrible, but defensively he stayed sharp...Corey: Was okay but needs to work on crossing the ball desperately. Love his confidence 1-on-1 though...Abram: Was attacked all night long. Barely above 50% pass completion. Still, dealt well with the constant counters and pressure, still managed to get forward in the attack...Jake: He was the only fullback going forward and he worked tirelessly all game, but barely 50% passing accuracy is in excusable.

Andy Dorman: Average Rating - 5.88 (Steve 5.5, Corey 6, Abram 5, Jake 7)

Steve: Passing not tidy, but appropriately physical and scored...Corey: A good night from Dorman who wasn't perfect but more than made up for his few foibles with a contribution on the goal and good defensive cover in front of the backline...Abram: The goal was huge, and the debate over whether it was offside or not will go on forever. Has cleaned it up big time at the end of the season. Nows his time to shine...Jake: He brought the physical back to the Revs midfield even at the expense of some passing and possession. Really stepped up these past few weeks scoring goals too.

Diego Fagundez: Average Rating - 5 (Steve 5, Corey 6, Abram 4, Jake 5)

Steve: Ghost for most of the game but integral to the first goal...Corey: Was a ghost for most of the game, but created a goal as soon as he was involved. Actually did quite well defensively when covering on the left for Barnes who was drifting too much...Abram: Diego was largely invisible for huge stretches of the game. His size hurt him in this overly physical matchup. That said, it was his shot that led to the opening goal. Heaps needs to find a way to get him more space...Jake: Crushed by the lack of support on the left, but his shot led to Nielsen's save, Agudelo's deflection and Dorman's tap in.

Lee Nguyen: Average Rating - 6.38 (Steve 6, Corey 7, Abram 5.5, Jake 7)

Steve: Assist, but a bad yellow...Corey: Was active and clearly a bright spot for the Revs, but maybe could have been more selfish on a few instances rather than looking for the final pass. Dude needs to rip it when he's got some space, we know he can...Abram: Was pushed around constantly, his goal-line clearance is why the team is going into the second leg up a goal. Picked up that yellow which puts him in danger next game...Jake: Lee is just everywhere, does everything and somehow always makes the perfect pass to set up goals.

Kelyn Rowe: Average Rating - 6.5 (Steve 6, Corey 7.5, Abram 5.5, Jake 7)

Steve: Had more bright spots than bad spots, and a goal...Corey: The best night out of everyone for the Revs. Had a stellar two-way game. Needed him to show up and he did...Abram: There were moments where he moved the ball well, but he barely had 20 passes on the night. He was tossed like a rag doll a lot. Needs to adjust to being in very tight spaces - as he did on the goal (wow)- otherwise he will be a non factor at Sporting Park...Jake: Is there a better finisher from distance right now in MLS than Kelyn Rowe? I say no, but perhaps I'm biased.

Dimitry Imbongo: Average Rating - 4.75 (Steve 4, Corey 4.5, Abram 5.5, Jake 5)

Steve: Suffered from being poorly deployed...Corey: Wasn't a good night for him but better second half. Excels at the hold-up play but is not suited for the wing...Abram: Yes, he pulled the yellow, but his bruising style is what's needed against SKC. There were moments when he looked incredibly sloppy, but his on-the-ball skill surprised my under the blistering KC defense...Jake: Should have been deployed up top from the start, very isolated on the right wing when holding up the ball.

Juan Agudelo: Average Rating - 6.13 (Steve 6, Corey 6.5, Abram 6, Jake 6)

Steve: Lively and important in both goals...Corey: Needs to be on the wing from here on out. I understand wanting him up top to try to get behind the defense, but KC's backline (particularly their CB's) are too good for that approach...Abram: Better out wide than up top. His being moved to the flank with Dimi up top was a brilliant move by Heaps. In the second leg, Agudelo should be out wide from the start...Jake: Juan should get just as much credit for that first goal, we need to keep track of his flick-ons and backheels.

Scott Caldwell (sub): Average Rating - 4.5 (Steve 4, Corey 4.5, Abram 4.5, Jake 5)

Steve: Entered at a time where Revs didn't have the ball, but didn't help much...Corey: I don't know if I'm much of a fan of this move. Would have rather seen Ryan Guy come in who is a bit grittier. Scotty gave the ball away in the midfield almost immediately...Abram: Brought on after immediately after Imbongo's yellow. Couldn't help slow the game day, but very few would be able to stop the frenetic pace of KC...Jake: Didn't have an opportunity to affect the game, but not his fault. Revs were hemorrhaging possession in the 2nd half and even bringing him on wasn't changing that.

Chad Barrett (sub): Average Rating - N/A

More from The Bent Musket:

• Revolution 2-1 Sporting KC: The Controversy of Andy Dorman's Goal
• Revolution 2-1 Sporting: New England Takes One-Goal Advantage to Kansas City for Second Leg
• Revolution vs. Sporting 2013 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals First Leg: Lineups and Live Game Thread
• The Missing Subplot: Benny Feilhaber vs. the Revs
• Revolution vs. Sporting KC - 2013 MLS Playoff Preview - Recapping The Regular Season Games vs. SKC, Sort Of