Maxi is a fantastic MLS player. Similar to BWP, his skills don't translate to a top tier league, but at this level, he can dominate for a myriad of reason. I am so happy to eat crow. I still think we would be better served if he had an attack partner next to him (think De Bruyne to Silva), but he absolutely controlled the game today.
8/10
Stuver is terrible. Saunders makes both of those saves today. I'd prefer to see the kid play next week in Philadelphia.
3/10
Callens was mediocre today but he got us out of a couple of tricky spots with his pace when the ball went over the top. I thought he was poor in distribution.
6/10
Ibeagha was OK. I think the decision to play him was because he could body up Giovinco and Jozy. He bodied up Giovinco a lot today. He's also better in the air than Maxime. But early in the game, as we struggled to distribute the ball (especially up a man), it was obvious that Maxime would have been the preferred choice to me.
6/10
Mata is great going forward. I thought he looked terrific with the ball at his feet, terrific high up the pitch with his decision making and terrific in that inverted FB role Dome is trying. He is poor defensively. For those who are better at this than me, would he be a more complete player in a Wingback role? Would that help disguise some of his defensive shortcomings, while also maximizing his ability to go forward? Or is he just a straight defensive liability no matter what?
5/10
Tinnerholm was quietly good again today. I think, maybe more than others, that he has been a little up and down this year, but he's a Tier 1 RB in MLS and we're lucky to have him. I think he probably provides a lot of defensive cover that the normal soccer watcher doesn't realize. There are lots of times I wish he was further up the pitch or more attack minded, but then he's there when the ball goes over the top or someone else gets beat. I just think he lacks consistency sometimes.
7/10
Alex Ring was average today. I wonder if that is really on him or those around him.
6/10
I thought Ofori was solid. He gets a little better each match. Still not a world beater, but he's a competent, above average MLS player.
6/10
Medina was OK. That wouldn't have been the sub I would have made but I also understand that Taty brings something that Medina doesn't always bring. I think he's been more up and down this year than you afford from a DP.
5/10
Tajouri-Shradi had two moments of brilliance with a whole lot of crap sandwiched in between. If you guys looked at the headline stats, you would think he's having a great year. I don't think he's nearly the same player he was before he got hurt.
7/10
Villa put in a really nice shift today. He's clearly exhausted and should have probably come out 10 minutes earlier than he did. He's a shell of the player he was even a year ago but still shows flashes of brilliance. It will be interesting to see what his role looks like at the end of the season. I don't know if he should be an automatic starter anymore
7/10
Taty changed the game I think when he came in. That sub should have happened earlier. I asked for Taty for Tajouri-Shradi. I stand by that even though Isi scored a screamer.
7/10
Berget changed things as well. He's the only guy on the team that can hold up play. He was helpful in the Isi goal.
6/10
I didn't understand the Sweat sub. I would have gone with Chanot
