Player Ratings

Player Ratings: FC Cincinnati vs. DC United

Here are Brad Weigel’s player ratings from FC Cincinnati’s 0-0 draw Friday at Nippert Stadium against DC United.

 


FC Cincinnati picked up its seventh point in its last four matches under coach Japp Stam with a scoreless 0-0 draw against DC United. Jurgen Locadia nearly put the Orange & Blue up late in the second half, but his shot glanced off the inside of the post. The club now sits on seven points and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Check out Cincinnati Soccer Talk’s post-match report here for more details.

Rules:

  • Each player starts off with a 6 as the standard rating. Six signifies an “average performance” for the match.
  • Players will receive additions or subtractions to their score based on individual moments and the overall team performance.
  • We’ll look at multiple criteria such as stats and the Audi Player Index (API) to assess a player’s rating.
  • A player may receive an N/A  if they are subbed in/off before any quantifiable statistics are available.

Now on to the ratings:

GK- Przemysław Tytoń: (7)

Tyton landed his third clean sheet in four matches as Stam collected his seventh point as manager. What I noticed most over his performances in Orlando, Florida, was his distribution. He completed 40 of 48 passes and limited most dangerous chances that could lead to errors. I think he’s thrown both hands around this position, and landing a green card could help lock his spot in 2021.

LWB- Andrew Gutman: (7)

Andrew Gutman may be the early surprise of the 2020 season with his performances the past four and a half matches. He along with Joseph-Claude Gyau are dangerous threats up both wings that opposing teams need to pay attention to. I think as you see the midfield come into shape, his role as an impact on the match will become larger and larger with players to bring into the match.

LCB- Tom Pettersson: (6.5)

Silent but effective, Tom Petterson had another nice game on the left side of the back three. After he weathered the first 25 minutes of the match, he did a nice job partnering up with Kendall Waston and Gutman. He tied for the most interceptions with three and was third in clearances with four.

CB- Kendall Waston: (7)

The center of a back three has brought out the best in Waston. He led the match in four major defensive categories — interceptions (three), clearances (seven), headed clearances (six), and defensive aerial duels (three). The Costa Rican has been an absolute beast. You have to give him a large part of the credit for the recent run of clean sheets and the turnaround of the defense.

RCB- Mathieu Deplagne: (5.5)

I’m really conflicted here. Was it me or did Deplagne seem a step slow behind most plays? Maybe it’s because Gyau gets up the field so much that he is exposed a bit, but something here makes me worry. He was late on several tackles, one of which earned him an early yellow card. He’s done this several times this season, and it’s a spot that has me worried against a team with better attacking talent.

RWB- Joseph-Claude Gyau: (7)

Ken Hoetker said it on Talking Tactics with Coach Brad Gough and count me in as interested. Could Joe Gyau become the next Damarcus Beasley and the future right-back of this club? Maybe. Anymore that position plays a key role in the attack, and thus far he’s held up well on his defensive responsibilities. While right-back may not be the sexiest position, it could set a path that could finally see him fulfill the promise of his youth. If not, he’s an attractive asset going forward and provides Stam options. He is great 1v1, and with Adrien Regattin gives defenses headaches. There are a lot of pieces on this club, and the RW position could be clogged once more pieces come in. Right-back might be an option to get him on the field week in and week out.

CM- Caleb Stanko: (5.5)

Caleb Stanko was solid yet unspectacular for the Orange & Blue. I just feel, like Deplagne, he is running a cylinder down when this club needs to go. You saw once Frankie Amaya dropped deep, his faster decision making along with the addition of Regattin and Allan Cruz made the team go. Stanko was 30 of 34 in distribution, which isn’t bad, but it needs to be quicker to go downfield and not side to side.

CM- Frankie Amaya: (6.5)

While the first half was average, Amaya took off when he dropped deeper into the match and saw what was happening in front of him. Once D.C. United dropped its press, there were acres of space, and Amaya took advantage with a 94% passing rate. Even as FC Cincinnati found its way up the field, Amaya found space to break a pass or fire off a shot from the top of the box.

CM- Yuya Kubo: (6)

A new role for Kubo, as he was asked to drop into the midfield of the 5-3-2. I don’t think it’s his best position and don’t think he was very effective. He created a couple of chances, but it wasn’t until the second half when he started to look dangerous. I’m interested to see how his position evolves as the club moves to a 4-3-3. I don’t think we’ll see him hit his stride until he’s on the wing of a 4-3-3 or up alongside Locadia instead of Siem de Jong.

FW- Siem de Jong: (5)

Siem de Jong had to come off at half due to injury, and that proved to be the move that helped kickstart the FC Cincinnati offense. To be fair, the club had little control of the ball, and the midfield could not get the ball reliably up top in the first half. I’m not sure if his role is better suited to be deeper at this point, but if FC Cincinnati can not possess the ball and make the back line uncomfortable, I’m not sure if de Jong isn’t better served coming off the bench.

FW-Jurgen Locadia: (6)

Locadia is going to catch a lot of flack for his shot that hit the post late in the match, but if you look at the play, he did a lot of things right that gives you the confidence in his talent. He made the right run behind the defense, his first touch was great and he tried to create a dangerous angle with Bill Hamid closing quickly. It wasn’t an easy shot, and if it was an inch to the right, FC Cincinnati wins that match. Once he had some attacking players to work with (Cruz and Regattin) you could see him come alive even after he was out of energy. If general manager Gerard Nijkamp and Stam can figure out the squad to get the ball to Locadia with support, it will be full steam ahead.

SUB-  Allan Cruz (46th min.): (7)

Allan Cruz came in at half when de Jong was removed as a precaution after picking up a knock on his leg. He started up alongside Locadia but had his biggest effect when he dropped back to the 8 role and could split the defense with his passing. Cruz was incredible in the final third, hitting 8 of his 9 passing attempts. He created two chances and really was the reason for the club’s turnaround in the second half.

SUB-  Adrien Regattin (67th min.): (7) 

Changed the game on a dime when he came in for Caleb Stanko. He had a free role to roam in between the midfield and bring the ball up to Locadia, kickstarting the FC Cincinnati attack. His 72nd minute give-and-go with Locadia was a perfect example of his vision to unlock this offense. I’m not sure when all the pieces arrive if he starts or comes of the bench. All I know is at this point, FC Cincinnati needs its best players on the field to start, and I believe he is one of them.

Injury Notes:  Saad Abdul-Salaam (quad), Zico Bailey (hamstring), Jimmy McLaughlin (ankle), and Spencer Richey (concussion).

Out: Haris Medunjanin (paternity leave), Maikel van der Werff (MLS traveling quarantine protocol, returns Saturday), Kamohelo Mokotjo (work visa).

@bradleysweigel for @CincySoccerTalk

To Top