Kouassi stock up, Koffie stock down in Revolution draw with NYCFC

After 85 minutes of play at Yankee Stadium, it looked like NYCFC would ride a Miguel Camargo game-winner to yet another home win. But Kelyn Rowe and Xavier Kouassi had other plans. Rowe sent a curling cross onto the far post, Kouassi finished the pass and the Revolution fought for a 2-2 draw.​

Here’s who stood out, and who didn’t, during the midweek match:

Stock up

Xavier Kouassi

Despite playing just 24 minutes, Kouassi found a way to put his mark on the match. The Ivorian midfielder wasted no time putting his strength on display, executing a handful of physical challenges (one of which resulted in a foul on Camargo). Then, in the waning moments, he snuck onto the far post and buried his first MLS goal off a skillful cross from Kelyn Rowe.

Over the past several weeks, Kouassi has excelled in a box-to-role, flashing his trademark grit on both sides of the ball. And, to top it all off, he has refuted his reputation as a yellow card magnet. The Revs will need another big shift from its DP against Toronto FC, the top team in the east, on Saturday.

Kei Kamara

Kamara didn’t play his best soccer, or anything close to it, on Saturday against the Red Bulls. Yet on Wednesday, he put forth a rebound performance vs. NYCFC.

In a physically-dominant shift, Kamara won countless 50/50 balls (including six aerial wins), created two goal-scoring chances and looked confident with his back to goal. And while he misfired on a few key opportunities, he didn’t misfire on the first-half header that equalized the match in the 24th minute. Kamara rounded David Villa, came back to goal and somehow tucked his shot inside the far post. It’s a finish worth watching over, and over again.

Kamara still has some work to do if he wants to get back on track this season (he’s scoring just once every 231 minutes), though Wednesday’s match served as a step in the right direction.

Stock down

Gershon Koffie

After turning in a solid start against RBNY, his first of the season, Koffie looked a step off against NYCFC. He over-possessed the ball at times, which resulted in a few dangerous turnovers in the middle of the park. Then, in the 29th minute, Koffie took a heavy touch and responded by trying to drag Maxi Moralez to the ground. He earned a yellow card for the offense.

In the end, Koffie found a way to limit the damage, connecting on 87 percent of his passes while adding four interceptions to his stat line. He’ll look to raise his game on Saturday against TFC.