Austin’s Cecelio Dominguez got FCC’s season off to a very rough start when just 2’ in Zam Kolmonič swung in a low free kick that should have been cleared easily, but forward Brandon Vazquez failed to make contact with the ball and it was deposited easily into the back of the net to put the Orange and Blue in an early hole. Then in the 14’ in the aftermath of a corner kick Alex Ring got in behind the defense and scuffed a shot that bounced over keeper Alec Kann. Sebastian Driussi added another before halftime to make it 3-0. The 2nd half was more of the same with Dominguez netting the brace in the 61’, and then Moussa Djitte getting in behind Zico Bailey before smacking a shot that went off Kann and into the back of the net for an own goal. The bloodbath ended 5-0 in the end.
Check out Cincinnati Soccer Talk’s post match report here for more details.
RULES:
- Each player starts off with a 6 as a 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 statistics and the Audi Player Index (API), Who Scored, and Stats Zone 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.
Expected Goals (xG): FC Cincinnati – 1.4, Austin FC – 2.9, per mlssoccer.com
Now onto the ratings:
GK – Alec Kann – 4
None of the goals were completely Kann’s fault, but he didn’t cover himself in glory either. Kann lost his footing on Alex Ring’s 14′ scuffed finish. The ball deflected between the goalkeeper’s legs for Driussi’s goal. And, of course Austin’s 5th was credited to Kann himself as an Own Goal. However, in all of these cases, Kann was left out to dry by the players in front of him. He can’t earn more than a 4 today, but I expect that he will be much better in future matches.
RB – Ray Gaddis – 5
If you’re wondering why Ray Gaddis started over Alvas Powell, look no further than his defensive statistics. Gaddis was 1 for 1 against the dribble, 2nd on the team in pressures with 22, and had 4 combined tackles and interceptions. He only gets a 5 here because he was caught out of position for Austin’s 4th goal, and only completed 76% of his short passes.
CB – Geoff Cameron – 6
Cameron has come in for a lot of criticism for his lack of speed shown on several occasions, as well as having a couple of nervy moments trying to clear his lines. However, the veteran American also made a couple of key tackles, registering 5 combined tackles and interceptions. He also helped transition the ball from back to front, completing 88% of his passes, including 8 out of 11 long balls.
CB – Tyler Blackett – 6
The Veteran Englishmen drew the ire of many FCC supporters for being in the vicinity of several of the goals that the team allowed. However, he wasn’t at fault for any of them, often being left on an island with multiple attackers to deal with. However, he registered 2 interceptions and lead the team with 5 clearances. The reason why he receives top marks for me, however, was his ability to create chances. He was 2nd on the team to Lucho Acosta for expected Assists (xA) and completed 14 of 19 long balls.
LB – Rónald Matarrita – 4
The veteran left back receives low marks because I’m grading him on a curve. He has the potential to be the most important member of this squad, but didn’t show it on Saturday. He left Alex Ring for Austin’s 2nd goal and got dribbled 3 times. Add to that, he completed a meager 71.1% of his passes… the lowest of any of the starters for the Orange and Blue.
DCM – Junior Moreno – 6
For playing his first match joining the squad less than a weak ago, Moreno put in a workman-like performance for the Orange and Blue. He tied Lucho Acosta for the highest WhoScored rating on the team, completed nearly 90% of his passes, and was instrumental in covering for Geoff Cameron and Tyler Blackett when they stepped into midfield to win the ball. However, he only recorded 3 tackles and 3 interceptions. Those numbers will have to improve as he settles into the team.
CM – Yuya Kubo – 6
In a continuing trend from last season, Yuya Kubo led the team by far in tackles + interceptions, recording 10 combined. 4 of those tackles came in the offensive third as part of FC Cincinnati’s press. Offensively, he added 4 shot-creating actions and led the team with 7 progressive carries. He receives only average marks for failing to hit the target with a golden opportunity in the 54th minute, and failing to turn any of his progressive carries into high xG opportunities.
CM – Allan Cruz – 4
The Costa Rican failed to win the 2nd ball on Alec Kann’s punch that led to Austin’s first goal, and was badly at fault for Austin’s 3rd. Cruz also looked slow and out of position on many occasions. His inability to track runners put players behind him in many bad situations. Cruz saved himself from bottoming out on these ratings by chipping in with 2 tackles and 2 interceptions, and keeping his passing percentage respectable at 78.3.
CAM – Luciano Acosta- 7 (Man of the Match)
The only player that breaks past the average mark, Acosta led the team in shot-creating actions (7), xA (.4), and finished 2nd in progressive carries (6). Add to that the fact that he only attempted one dribble and had 4 key passes, and you have the makings for a decent offensive output from the Argentinian captain. However, Acosta’s lack of defensive presence made it too easy for Austin to play through FCC’s press, and his 71.7% pass completion needs to improve.
ST – Brandon Vazquez – 5
Vazquez is always tough to rate, because he works so hard, gets in so many good positions, and squanders so many good chances. The young American led the team in pressures, had 3 progressive carries, and completed a dribble. However, his .6 xG led the team, and he only hit the target with 1 of his 5 shots. Vazquez also whiffed on the clearance that led to Austin’s opening goal.
ST – Nick Markanich – 6
A solid debut from the rookie! Markanich worked hard on the defensive side of the ball, logging 2 tackles and 3 interceptions. He also chipped in with 2 progressive carries. However, his .4 xG included one great opportunity in on goal in the 24th minute, where he really should have done better. One would also hope that his 71.4% passing would improve as he settles into his professional career as well.
SUBS
Dominique Badji (61st Minute) – 5
Badji subbed on for Nick Markanich to try to stark the FCC attack to life. However, his lack of preseason minutes showed, and he looked unsettled for most of his debut. He wasn’t able to log a shot, and logged just 11 touches. However, he didn’t make any obvious blunders either.
Harrison Robledo (61st Minute)- 6
Harrison Robledo came on for Allan Cruz in the 61st minute. The young academy product had a productive debut with the first team. Robledo had respectable, if not inspiring, numbers. He completed 85.7% of his passes, had 3 progressive carries, and 2 combined tackles + interceptions. He also drew 4 fouls in his short time on the pitch, proving he was in dangerous spots.
Zico Bailey (70th Minute) – 2
Bailey had a forgettable season debut. It wasn’t completely his fault though. The right back came on for Junior Moreno at defensive center mid before being moved to left back 15 minutes later. He recorded no tackles and was badly at fault for the final goal of the match.
Alvas Powell (70th Minute) – 6
Powell came on for Geoff Cameron to play center back. Whether this was to give Cameron some rest without risking Vallacilla, or to see if Powell could serve as a center back on the team, he performed well in his limited minutes. He had 4 tackles + interceptions in only 20 minutes, and made no obvious errors. He also completed nearly 82% of his passes.
Haris Medunjanin (85th Minute) – 6
Injury Notes: John Nelson (back), Beckham Sunderland (concussion)
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