Man of the Match Perrinelle in the thick of things
Photo: Jennifer Harrell
With only one game between the last time they met, the Red Bulls knew DC United would play them much different than their clash at Red Bull Arena, especially when Ben Olsen publicly called out his team for lack of intensity. Coming off another bye week, the Red Bulls traveled down to RFK to meet their rivals, here’s the Red Bulls player ratings from a well fought and last minute draw against DC United.
Luis Robles – 6.5
Luis Robles made 3 saves all night, one of them in the 19th minute to rob Rolfe of a sure goal, but his performance has to be marked by his blunder in DC United’s first goal, when he came out to meet clear cross, but got beaten to the ball by Kitchen. Overall not too much work for the Red Bulls keeper, quite second half, and with little to blame in Kitchen’s second goal.
Matt Miazga – 6.5
The NYRB Academy product, has been getting an opportunity he wouldn’t otherwise get with the injury to Zubar. His lack of communication with Duvall, and subsequent giveaway to Rolfe, could have been a costly mistake had Robles not made the save. The 19th minute miscue was the only stain in an otherwise consistent performance. Miazga still had some uneasy moments in the back, which are normal for an inexperienced 19 year old, but he certainly has asserted himself as a viable alternative to Zubar.
Damien Perrinelle – 7.5
The other half of the center back pairing, Perrinelle, is the leader of this NY Red Bull defense. Assertive on the tackle, dominant in the air, combative against Arrieta, as well as Pontius, Perrinelle’s importance to this NY Red Bulls team was quite evident against DCU. His challenge in the 58th minute to stop Kitchen from entering the Red Bull’s box, albeit earning him a yellow, was a crucial stop a dangerous play at a time DC United was looking to take over the game. His defensive efforts were enough to make him one of the Red Bull’s top performers, but he didn’t stop there, he pulled NY back a goal 2 minutes after the United’s second goal, a goal that made the Red Bulls believe it was possible to come back from a 2-0 deficit.
Chris Duvall – 6
Duvall had his hands full with Rolfe all game, and seemed to struggle to contain United’s left winger. Duvall also had a few incursions into the final third, one of them with a successful, but easy shot for Bill Hamid. His partnership with Lloyd Sam still needs some work, but the potential to be a 1-2 punch on the Red Bulls Right wing is all there.
Kemar Lawrence – 6.5
The Reggae Boy was back in the starting line up after International duty, and once again he showed that his quickness and strength can make him a serious candidate to take over Roy Miller’s position. Quick recoveries, strong on the physical one-v-one, and a couple crucial interceptions were some of the highlights of his performance against DC United. Kemar’s attacking game still lacks some objectiveness, and precision, but it’s easy to see how he can fit in the high pressure, high energy Marsch system.
Dax McCarty – 6.5
After having played the Red Bulls only 2 games ago, DC United was well aware of what the Red Bulls midfield trio could do, Dax was perhaps a victim of that. With less space to operate, and to control the midfield, McCarty’s game focused heavily on defensive responsibilities. Dax’s familiarity with Felipe continues to grow, but he will start encountering opponents that will adopt the same defensive strategy that DC used to close the midfield pair down. Nevertheless his defensive work, and range of coverage were what we come to expect from McCarty. Was subbed out in the 77th minute for Dane Richards when the Red Bulls needed a more attacking option in the attacking midfield, but not before a heads up play to clear a Silva free kick off the goal line.
Felipe – 7
Much like McCarty, Felipe saw his space in the midfield shortened by DC United’s pressure. With a more creative aspect to his game, Felipe was also a victim of some more aggressive tackling by the United men, suffering 3 fouls, and being closely watched. Felipe saw one of his attempts on goal blocked by what it looked like a handball in the box by a DC United defender, the referee waved it off, despite Felipe’s protests. It was from the Brazilian’s right foot that Damien Perrinelle scored, as Felipe got his second assist of the season.
Sacha Kljestan – 7
The 3rd man in the Red Bulls midfield triangle, had a busy night finding space between lines. Much like Felipe, Kljestan was also target by the DC United’s men, suffering 3 fouls in the process. With Felipe and McCarty being submitted to United’s pressure, Kljestan did his best to find empty spaces behind United’s midfield. The notion that Kljestan goes missing from the game from time to time, is clearly a misconception as his work between lines is crucial to the Red Bulls’ offensive transitions. While he may not touch the ball as much as you’d expect him, it is his work off the ball that made him a very important cog to New York’s game this past Saturday. It was Kljestan’s dipping free kick that Hamid couldn’t parry, and that Sam pounced on to give the Red Bulls the tying goal in the dying minutes of the game.
Lloyd Sam – 7.5
Bradley Wright-Phillips may have been last year’s Golden Boot winner, but it’s Sam that leads the Red Bulls in goals with 3 this early in the season. The right winger had a quiet first half, as DC United kept a close eye on the speedy Brit, but was able to find more space to be dangerous as the second half went on. Sam continues to be an influential player in this Red Bull team, as he has clearly accepted the role of difference maker Jesse Marsch has proposed to him. Sam’s heads up play to score the Red Bull’s equalizer is a reflection of not only his determination to make said difference, but also of the resiliency of this year’s NY Red Bulls.
Mike Grella – 6.5
Not as active as Lloyd Sam on his side of the pitch, Mike Grella got his first start of the season, and had decent outing. Laborious on defense, and showing good understanding with the midfield three, Grella still needs to make better decisions in the final third, but in the meantime, he seems to have Jesse Marsch’s confidence with the start. Grella saw his nifty chip over Hamid for a goal called back for misjudged offside call. Grella was substituted in the 65th by Sal Zizzo as he was showing signs of exhaustion.
Bradley Wright-Phillips – 7
In the run up to this season, there was much talk about BWP’s success without Henry. Surely BWP has had to change his game to adapt to Jesse Marsch’s system, and he is perhaps not going to equal last season’s goal tally, but Wright-Phillips is doing the best he can to help out his team, even when that help is not scoring goals. The work rate that BWP puts on the field is immense, whether it’s dropping on a wing, to free up space for Kljestan, checking back into the midfield, or playing off the defenders shoulder, BWP continues to be an integral part of this Red Bulls team. The first half was particular good for BWP who had a couple good looks, at Hamid’s goal. In the first BWP wasn’t able to get enough power behind a shot, and chose to cross instead of going to goal on his second look, a cross that hit a DC defender and hit the outside of the post. In the second half he didn’t have as many clear cut looks, but still finished the game with a team high 4 shots. BWP’s move to get past his defender in the 34th minute was a delicious piece of soccer.
Sal Zizzo – 6
Zizzo came in at 65th minute mark but was inconsequential in the attacking front for the Red Bulls.
Dane Richards – 6.5
Richards came in the 77th minute when the Red Bulls needed a more attacking midfielder. Richards set up on the right wing, sliding Lloyd Sam to the to a more central position. Dane’s persistence almost paid off when he pressured a DC United defender who passed the ball back to Hamid but mishit it, Richard almost got his foot on the ball to get it past Hamid, but the keeper got to the ball first.
Alfredo Fumacas @talkingtodadoll
