NYCFC Player Ratings v Houston Dynamo
(photo courtesy of NYC FC)
GK Saunders 5
Besides the goal, which he could do little about, Saunders was a capable shot stopper on the night. However, the keeper never seemed totally in command of his box, and it was evident several times throughout the night that Saunders’ and his backline are not quit yet on the same page.
RB Brosvky 6.5
Solid defensively in the first half, Brovksy showed more eagerness to join the attack in the second half, culmination with a chance for a game winning volley in the 6 yard box off a beautiful cross from Mix.
CB Hernandez 4.5
The main culprit for the first goal, as he was absolutely dominated in the air by Houston’s David Horst, whose header was violently redirected by a Will Bruin snap shot that ripped the back of the net. To his credit, made a catalogue of diving blocks and interceptions to relieve danger in the defense, but you wonder how many of those situations could be avoided with better overall communication with his Centerback and his keeper.
CB Facey 5
The quieter of the two centerbacks, Facey was solid most of the game, making six clearances inside his own six yard box, and was relatively tidy in his passing. Besides a few shaky moments, including a comically bad clearance that led to a corner, Facey put in a decent shift that should see him retain his spot in Jason Kreis’ centerback merry-go-round.
LB Wingert 5.5
Not a terrible game from Wingert, but not a great game either. The left back received a yellow in the first half of the game for a reckless challenge, but otherwise defended the left side capably throughout the game.
CDM Jacobson 6
A good outing for the defensive mid in Kreis’ midfield diamond, quietly cutting off space and shielding the back while he was on the pitch. Jacobson’s solid night was highlighted by a slide tackle in the 11th that preemptively stifled a potential Dynamo counter-attack.
CM Ballouchy 5
Occupying the right side the left side of the midfield diamond, Ballouchy was industrious in defense, but rather invisible in the attack. Was a bit more sloppy in his passing and decision making than is needed from a central midfielder, especially one with Mehdi’s experience in this league. Ballouchy will be looking to bounce back next week after his vanilla performance Saturday night against the Dynamo.
CM Diskerud 6.5
Unless desperately lunging into a 50/50 challenge, Mix’s impact was limited in the first half. However, Mix turned it up in the second half, and it is no coincidence that the performance of the team as a whole improved as well. Mix did well several times to put his teammates in terrifically dangerous positions, none more so than his perfect far post cross in the dying moments of the game that deserved a game winner from Brovsky’s boot.
CAM Velasquez 6
One of the sharper players on the pitch, Velasquez was involved in NYCFC’s most dangerous attacking moves in the first half of a game, including a delightfully weighted ball off a one-two from Villa that gave the Spaniard a perfect angle for a curling effort just wide of the post. In the end however, Velasquez’s impact was limited by the strength and speed of the Dynamo backline, resulting in his substitution for a greater physical presence in Khiry Shelton at the 57th minute.
CF Villa (MOTM) 7
Villa recorded the team’s only goal on the day with a well taken penalty into the bottom right corner of the goal. Besides his goal, the Spaniard was NYCFC’s most dangerous man on the night, recording seven shots on goal, the best one coming in the second minute of the game. Villa showed great movement and timing for runs across the back line throughout the game, but it was the World Cup winner’s delightful, slicing runs inside the Dynamo box in the second half that showed his true quality. Once NYCFC get clicking, David Villa should become one of the premier offensive menaces of the MLS.
ST Nemec 4.5
A poor day for Nemec up-top, where he was bullied by the Dynamo backline throughout the night. Save for a couple of flicked headers, Nemec was consistently beaten in the air by the Dynamo center backs. When Nemec did get the ball to his feet, he was as good a bet to lose the ball as to find the feet of another teammate. The Slovakian’s tough display was highlighted by the quality shown by Houston’s own target man, Will Bruin, who was everything Nemec was not on the night: strong, sharp, and dangerous.
Subs:
Shelton (57′): 6
Subbed on for Velasquez to provide a more physicality and directness to the attack, Shelton made an instant impact. The 21 year old combined well with his teammates and showed an eagerness to get in dangerous positions. Unfortunately, showed a bit of arrogance in attempting an acrobatic back heel flick on a cross in the box slightly behind him, when a quick touch was clearly required.
Poku (68’): 6.5
Another great sub by Jason Kreis, Poku came on and seemed to do more in 20 minutes than Mehdi Ballouchy did all game. Poku showed great strength and composure in the midfield, but his most telling contribution was a magnificent run down the left side of the Dynamo’s box in the 88th minute. Poku showed great skill running with the ball at full speed, cutting back on a dime, and stroking a great chip to the head of an onrunning Brovsky that would have been a goal if not for a fantastic save by Derick in the Dynamo goal.
Mullins (79’) 5.5
Somewhat of a like-for- like exchange for Nemec, Mullins’ impact was limited in the 10 minutes he was on the field. However, Mullins did well to create some space for himself at the top of the box to set himself up for a 90th minute effort that curled just wide of the far post.
