:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33225157/20140517_ajl_bg2_125.JPG.0.jpg)
Brad Knighton: Average Rating - 6.8 (Steve 6, Corey 6.5, Jake 7.5, Nick 8, Matty 6)
Steve: Stellar saves, but tough to give a GK too high a score here, even if the 3 goals weren't his fault. Also had miserable distribution...Corey: Came up huge in the first half to keep Philly off the board. The goals weren't totally his fault, but still 3 goals is 3 goals...Jake: So many really, really good saves, there's a reason that a lot of us thought he earned the starting job back in preseason. Can't be at fault for any of the goals but the team as a whole will want that second one back...Nick: It seems nonsensical to award such a high score after Brad conceded 3 goals, but his outstanding reaction save in the first frame changed the course of the match. As the season presses onward, he will serve as a invaluable asset behind Bobby...Matty: Could quite possibly win save of the week, but at the end of the day, three goals will always keep you from a higher rating.
Chris Tierney: Average Rating - 8.3 (Steve 8, Corey 8, Jake 9, Nick 9, Matty 7.5)
Steve: So-so from open play, poor passing and decent defending, but set pieces were deadly. Excellent pace and placement on the goal and the assist...Corey: His passing wasn't so great, but you can't deny the impact he had in the final third, particularly on set pieces. I could get used to some Michel-esque free kick goals like that...Jake: You want to know when the Revs offense is really going? It's when Chris Tierney is running rampant down the left flank, putting dangerous crosses and set pieces into the box and scoring 23-yard laser free kicks for fun...Nick: Tierney didn't turn in a flawless defensive performance, but his brilliant assist--and stunning goal--capped an astounding evening. When Tierney moves up and down the left flank with purpose, the attack instantly opens up...Matty: Great goal from the set-piece, and his cultured left foot continues to provide offensive opportunities.
A.J. Soares: Average Rating - 7.4 (Steve 7, Corey 7, Jake 8.5, Nick 7.5, Matty 7)
Steve: Great defense, one of the better passing nights he's had in recent memory, and of course, a goal. Still, flat-footed on the Williams goal, though...Corey: Well-taken goal and pretty good defending all night. What more can you ask for?...Jake: He scored, had a really solid game defensively and deserves his MOTM recognition. We'll forgive that second goal where he might have been a little flat-footed on the flick header...Nick: The Williams goal serves as a lone dark spot on an otherwise excellent evening. Skilled aerial goal set the match's tone, while tough, gritty defending an on-point passing led the way from the CB position...Matty: Good goal from AJ, and a solid defensive effort. Been very steady in Goncalves’ absence.
Andrew Farrell: Average Rating - 6 (Steve 5.5, Corey 6, Jake 6.5, Nick 6, Matty 6)
Steve: Absolutely miserable passing night (36%) and a silly penalty giveaway does not cancel out his titanic defending, but it does make for a lower grade...Corey: Good defending, as usual, but the little things added up for him in this one...Jake: This would be much higher but for that really silly penalty he gave away in stoppage time and a bad passing day, but that doesn't mean he's not playing well at center back. Just needs to clean it up a little bit...Nick: An unusually poor passing night, combined with a sloppy penalty, overshadow another strong evening. Turns out the sophomore isn't perfect, after all...Matty: Good defending, but would like to see a stronger finish at the end of matches to see out results.
Darrius Barnes: Average Rating - 5.8 (Steve 5, Corey 5, Jake 7, Nick 6.5, Matty 5.5)
Steve: Solid. Not spectacular in defense and awful in distribution, but he was solid and did what needed to be done without necessarily excelling beyond the call of duty...Corey: He's getting the job done...Jake: Not a great day on the distribution, but I like to see him getting forward, he's not just a defense first player but a complete right back...Nick: Looked agile moving up the right flank and turned in another solid night on the defensive side of the ball. Like Farrell, though, Barnes created just a little bit of danger during a below-average passing night...Matty: The swiss army knife of the Revs back line continues to do a great job of filling in when needed.
Andy Dorman: Average Rating - 7.6 (Steve 7, Corey 8, Jake 7.5, Nick 8, Matty 7.5)
Steve: Misplaced two passes all night. Two. Excellent defensively and great leadership...Corey: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Andy Dorman is perhaps the most underrated d-mid in MLS right now...Jake: Great defensively and in possession and most importantly didn't get a yellow card, which gives him the league's good behavior incentive for the year and takes him of yellow card accumulation warning...Nick: Skilled tackling, consistent passing and clean defending led to another memorable performance. Dorman has successfully built on his strong 2013 campaign, turning into a reliable leader in the center of the park...Matty: Just an absolute rock in the middle of the park. Irreplaceable a the moment.
Diego Fagundez: Average Rating - 8.6 (Steve 9, Corey 8.5, Jake 8.5, Nick 8.5, Matty 8.5)
Steve: Goal, assist, only three poor passes all night. He tracked back well, too. This was a complete performance by the kid...Corey: Did exactly what he needed to do this week, and prove that his re-emergence vs. Seattle wasn't a fluke. Clearly the kid is back...Jake: Yes, he had a goal, yes he had a dirty assist to Mullins, but I like his defensive stats as well: blocked shot and six recoveries. Complete two-way game for Diego...Nick: Well, the kid has woken up from his slumber. A patient goal and a silly assist made the scoresheet proud, though his ability to track back on defense made all the difference. Diego is back...Matty: Sometimes all you need is a little sunshine to break the ice. Clearly, one goal, is leading to several others. Fagundez regaining his dangerous form.
Daigo Kobayashi: Average Rating - 7.2 (Steve 7.5, Corey 7, Jake 7.5, Nick 7, Matty 7)
Steve: Passing was just so clean, and he picked up an assist. Not so two-way, but he wasn't asked to be. Excellent work...Corey: A calming presence in the midfield, his tidy work allows others around him to shine...Jake: Like Dorman, it's just another solid two-way effort. He's really good, just not flashy. That assist to Lee is just a perfect little pass on the ground...Nick: Another crafty passing night benefitted the Revs all night long. He needs to keep his head up, though; all-too-often found himself on the ground and in no hurry to follow the run of play...Matty: I’m deathly afraid to make an off-color “Samurai/silent assassin” joke here for fear of being non-PC, but, he truly does all the dirty work and it’s all just so silent and efficient.
Lee Nguyen: Average Rating - 8.8 (Steve 8.5, Corey 9, Jake 9, Nick 9, Matty 8.5)
Steve: Just over 81% passing rate, and he was all over the pitch. Great goal, could probably have had more if he didn't hesitate, and had 7 recoveries. Dark horse league MVP candidate at this point...Corey: He can do no wrong lately. He is the all-around midfielder that every team wishes they had. Another top-shelf night from Lee...Jake: At this point he's the runaway leader for Revs team MVP, MLS Starting XI and starting in the MLS All-Star Game. You know, assuming the rest of the media actually knows where New England is (hint: first place in the East)...Nick: At some point, Lee will have to take over the media spotlight. Brilliant touches, outstanding vision and creative runs make him a 90-minute threat. Oh, and he tracks back on defense, too...Matty: He’s pulling all the strings. All of them. His new nickname should be “Puppetmaster."
Teal Bunbury: Average Rating - 7.7 (Steve 7, Corey 7.5, Jake 8.5, Nick 8.5, Matty 7)
Steve: You could tell he wanted a goal, and was unlucky not to get one. Got the assist, though, and terrorized the Union backline all night...Corey: Was a big part of what the Revs were doing in the attack on Saturday. I can't help but feel that he's a little too gun shy in front of net though...Jake: The man is an absolute menace on both sides of the ball and he's not just a target man either, he's a creator as we've seen the last few games...Nick: A gorgeous run into space and patient hold-up play led to Diego's goal, while creative passing pushed the Revs forward from start to finish. This trade looks better and better each week...Matty: I knew it was just a matter of time before it clicked, but it’s great to see his strength, pace, and ability finally shine through and emerge as a catalyst for this offense.
Patrick Mullins: Average Rating - 7.5 (Steve 7.5, Corey 7, Jake 8, Nick 7.5, Matty 7.5)
Steve: Struggled early, but matched the Union physicality blow for blow and was rewarded with his goal. Proved that even on a slightly off night, he's still vital to this attack...Corey: The Revs' new man of consistency. Credit to Jay Heaps for giving him his chance and letting him run with it. His form is paying off huge for us right now...Jake: The hold-up play is superb, his left foot is lethal when it's aimed at goal and he can't stop scoring. Remind me again how he was the 11th pick in the SuperDraft?...Nick: Turned a brutal first half into a memorable second frame. At just 22 years old, his ability to recover - and bag a goal - bodes well for lengthy future as New England's No. 9...Matty: I’ve got such a soft spot for goal-scorers from Maryland. And this one is left-footed, which multiplies the soft spot.
Scott Caldwell (sub): Average Rating - 6 (Steve 5.5, Corey 6, Jake 6, Nick 6.5, Matty 6)
Steve: Came in and did what he was asked to do. His passing is sloppier when he's not dropped deep, but he's still effective...Corey: A typical Caldwell shift, which is a good thing...Jake: Wasn't a bad shift by Caldwell, really aggressive in the air but I'd expect better than 8/12 passing (66%)...Nick: Sloppy passing marred an otherwise strong performance. Scotty has really grown into his "closer" role, adding another defensive dimension in front of Dorman...Matty: Solid. Very comfortable with him off the bench. For now.
Kelyn Rowe (sub): Average Rating - 5.8 (Steve 5, Corey 5.5, Jake 6.5, Nick 6.5, Matty 5.5)
Steve: Glad he's still got some shooting boots, but he still looks a little rusty. You can see the creativity, though, and the eagerness...Corey: You can tell his brain is there, but I think the rest of it is still playing catch up. No need to rush his return. These late-game minutes are the smart way to get him back...Jake: Still working back to full fitness but looks as solid and creative as ever and still wants to shoot. No complaints...Nick: Clearly needs time to achieve full fitness, but the injury did little to slow down his creative engine. In time, I'd like to see Kelyn replace Daigo in the Starting XI...Matty: Working the kinks out, regaining fitness. He’ll be fine.
Steve Neumann (sub): Average Rating - 6.8 (Steve 6, Corey 6.5, Jake 7.5, Nick 8, Matty 6)
Steve: Ten completed passes, zero unsuccessful. Mull that over for a second. He didn't miss a single pass. Neumann is becoming the glue that keeps the midfield/attack together late on as a substitute, and he took Maidana's hack like a champ, too...Corey: Lookout, Scott Caldwell, Steve Neumann is making his case for your 1st-sub-off-the-bench role...Jake: In 15 minutes he went 10/10 passing, drew a red card and was a boss defensively. This kid can play...Nick: What else can you ask for? Looks like a veteran moving up the left flank, and has outstanding vision moving forward. Adds unbelievable depth to Heaps' top-tier midfield...Matty: Someone has been progressing in training quite nicely, eh?
