My grades:
Saunders: 7
Another nice game. Good positioning
Williams 5
Adds to the offense, but let Tierney have a field day sending in uncontested crosses.
Hernandez 6
Best on the back line defensively. Had agudelo covered on his chance, but defense weak overall.
Wingert 5
Did not stand out negatively, but NE had guys running free through the middle for big stretches
Brovsky 4
Lost on the attack, doesn't seem to defend
Jacobson 5
Was not providing adequate cover to back line, and lost the ball repeatedly on bad passes.
Mix 6
NE seemed to game plan to take mix out of the game, not close to last week, but his cross to Villa late was a thing of beauty.
Grabavoy 5
Mind knows what to do, body often seems unable to do it. Whiffed wide open chance late.
Velasquez 6
Tough in defense being on right wing, but better than ballouchy, and helps with possession.
Villa 9
Total stud. Had two taken away by shuttleworths finger tips. Great goal, great assist. Home opener. Love him. MOTM
Nemec 4
Unable to finish, and clumsy first touch. Can't figure Kreis thinking. Villa needs a partner that can finish
Subs:
Shelton 7
Instant impact drawing the penalty. Quick, smart, should be starting.
Facey 6
Not much time to make an impact, but noticeably better on the ball than other options.
Mullins 6
Nice run onto Villas sweet cross.