New York Red Bulls v Sounders Player Rating
One again, Dave Clark, Editor of Sounder at Heart, takes on the unenviable task of rating our players. With John Hurtado taking time out to celebrating the birth of his new born son, and Freddie Ljungberg relegated to the bench, it was a new look Sounders side. Over to Dave then:
How does a solid team with flashes of brilliance tie on the road? It isn’t by playing tired. Nor is it due to resting a star. It certainly isn’t because el Presidente is now el Padre. After reading these ratings you are likely to see how a team that mainly plays well comes up short. While there are signs for a positive future, while looking backwards at this most recent match one point was the result earned.
Kasey Keller – Looked uncomfortable on the worst pitch in the league. His long blasts went further than he expected and the ball did not move as expected on the scoring play when it slowed while he left his line. Besides that one fateful play Keller was not really tested. 5.5/10
Tyson Wahl – Continues to play a solid long ball in the offense, and stayed back rather than play as a second wing back. Wahl continues to use positioning to limit the opposition’s angles either forcing them into a double, or out to the touchline. 6/10
Patrick Ianni – Contributed with solid distribution and ball-winning, performing surprising well in the air. He can not be faulted for the goal, and in general his marking of Angel worked well. 6/10
Tyrone Marshall – The taller back wins most balls brought his way in the air, whether he has to climb a ladder or just position himself well. Marshall though did commit the gaff that led to a goal, and later acted the enforcer and retaliated earning himself a Yellow. 4.5/10
James Riley - Playing less the wing back this week, likely after the Keller conversations, Riley won balls on a few threats after his fellow defenders were beaten. When he did go forward he showed the ball-work that has earned my praise in the past as a wing back. 6.5/10
Steve Zakuani - Had several brilliant runs beating Hall, but did not create the crosses that threatened. He displayed more effort defensively than any match yet, and earned himself three fouls. I blame Prost Amerika for the fouls, except for the cleats to the head of Stammler which could have been a Yellow. 6/10
Osvaldo Alonso – Wins battles in the air, upright and laying himself out on the pitch. As a defensive stalwart in this league he is rapidly entering the conversation amongst the best. His effort and attitude also brought out Kandji’s weak will. 7/10
Brad Evans – Unspectacularly good. Evans seemed to control the space between the attack and Alonso, forcing the Red Bulls off their chosen path and steering them into a fullback or the holding midfielder. He surprised Ianni with a back heel in the box as well, it was well thought through. 6.5/10
Sebastien Le Toux – Distance runners peak as they age, so Seb has a future post soccer. His work rate was incredible, but more than that what made the night a success after the early injury was Le Toux’s successful work as the kick taker. He placed those corners as well as they could be. 7/10
Nate Jaqua – Showed great thought on through balls and short passes. Jaqua accompanied that with his usual solid high pressure. He can only be faulted for a few mistakes in ball control. 6.5/10
Fredy Montero - If only the frame was made of narrower wood, for only the pipes stopped the Colombian. The New York defense struggled, and Montero himself pressured throughout the pitch, but kept the shape of the formation. Credited for only one goal, but it could have been a hat trick with just inches in his favor. 8/10
Sanna Nyassi – Continues to display great work rate, but only connected well in the offense on rare occasion. Nyassi was knocked off the ball and will need to learn a move that punishes the opponent for the muscle. 5.5/10
Roger Levesque - Seattle’s second best target forward got his most time yet and showed that his place on the roster is earned not sentimental. Nearly scoring an added time game winner Roger applied solid pressure and won some 50/50 balls in the air. While his footwork may not be at the level of the Freddies or Zakuani, the performance against New York might have moved him into the rotation. 6.5/10
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