FCC got their 2nd overall win at TQL Stadium and the first at home this season on Saturday 3-1 over Inter Miami. FCC sit in 8th place in the Eastern Conference, with 6 points through 4 games. Ronald Matarrita opened the scoring in the 18’ by guiding a shot through the Miami backline after Brandon Vazquez found him on the edge of the box. Vazquez netted the 2nd 6 minutes later when Matarrita returned the favor by picking him out with an inch-perfect cross. However, Miami got one back when Matarrita brought DeAndre Yedlin down in the box, giving up a PK that Gonzalo Higuain deposited. The Orange and Blue had a chance to double their lead in the 78’ when Vazquez earned a penalty that Lucho stepped forward, taking the ball from Brenner before dragging the spot-kick wide. It didn’t end up mattering though, as Matarrita found Vazquez again in the 82’ with a cross that earned the big target man his brace.
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 FB Ref to assess a player’s rating.
- We won’t use .5 increments, because that is weak-sauce.
- We will not be afraid to give players a perfect 10 if they deserve it, but will never give a rating of 0, because there is always some sort of positive.
- A player may receive an N/A if they are subbed in/off before any quantifiable statistics are available.
Expected Goals (xG): FC Cincinnati – 2.5, Inter Miami – 1.4, per mlssoccer.com
Now onto the ratings:
Manager – Pat Noonan – 7
With the injuries to the team, the squad practically picks itself. Noonan managed the game well, including the well-timed substitutions of Dom Badji and Lucho Acosta. Noonan did, however, leave one sub unused and didn’t make any noticeable tactical adjustments.
GK – Alec Kann – 8
Kann only had to make one save on the night, but it was a big one when FCC led by only a goal. He marshaled the back line well, keeping the team organized.
RWB – Alvas Powell – 7
Powell put in another solid performance on the right for the Orange and Blue. He was effective in possession logging 26 touches in the attacking third. He also added 6 progressive carries. However, he failed to complete an accurate cross, and also logged a meager 61.5% passing, keeping his rating from pushing higher.
CB – Nick Hagglund – 7
The Cincinnati native was back to his best on Saturday. He led all starters with 90.3% passing, including 2 of 3 long passes and 17 of 17 medium passes. Defensively he added 4 combined tackles and interceptions and 4 blocks. Perhaps most impressively, he won all of his aerial duels and limited the ability for Inter Miami to attack in behind Powell all night.
CB – Geoff Cameron – 8
The veteran US International put in his best performance of the season in the center of the back 3. He tied for the team lead with 11 ball recoveries and added 3 tackles and a blocked shot. He also logged an excellent 89.5% passing, including completing 5 of 7 long balls.
CB – Tyler Blackett – 7
Blackett win all 3 of his aerial duels and contributed 3 blocks on the night. He was very solid on the ball, completing 88.7% of his passes including 7 of 9 long balls. He led all center backs with 62 touches, showing he is a constant outlet when the team finds itself under pressure. He also picked up the secondary assist on Vazquez’s first goal.
LWB – Ronald Matarrita – 7
The Costa Rican international had a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde performance on the night. Besides his excellent goal and two assists, he also contributed 7 progressive passes and 6 shot creating actions. However, his unnecessary sliding challenge on DeAndre Yedlin gave Miami a lifeline by giving up the penalty kick, and he put himself in danger of being sent off with a senseless booking immediately after. Matarrita also attempted 4 dribbles but was only successful on 1 of them, and didn’t win a single tackle. His defensive frailty was noticed by Miami, as they concentrated nearly 50% of their attacks up his side.
DCM – Junior Moreno – 7
It seems as if I can just continue to cut and paste this line: Junior Moreno put in a solid if unspectacular, performance. He was excellent positionally, limiting passes into Miami’s front line. He was solid in possession, completing 87% of his passes including 3 of 4 long balls. Moreno’s yellow card was a well-taken tactical foul in transition, and he seemed to not put a foot wrong all afternoon.
CM – Yuya Kubo – 9
Yuya continues to grow into an excellent box-to-box midfielder. He had 4 shot creating actions and was instrumental in dictating possession all afternoon. His 73 touches were the most on the team by some margin, and his 890.7 % passing included 9 of 11 long passes, 7 progressive passes, and 9 passes into the attacking third (all team highs). As the icing on the cake, the Japanese international picked up a well-deserved secondary assist on the final goal of the match. The offensive output alone would have earned him a high rating, but he also led the team with 6 combined tackles and interceptions and 25 pressures. Were it not for Vazquez’s brace, Kubo would be staring at a man-of-the-match performance.
CAM – Luciano Acosta – 5
When reading this, it would be good to keep in mind that I grade on a curve here. Lucho was below his best against Miami, completing only 74.4% of his passes and losing out on 4 of his 8 dribble attempts. However, the Argentinian captain still contributed 8 shot creating actions and 4 key passes, and also picked up an assist. He also trailed only Brandon Vazquez in the number of times he had the ball taken off his foot via tackle or a miss-control. Finally, his poorly struck penalty after taking the ball from Brenner keeps his rating below average.
ST – Brandon Vazquez – 9 (Man of the Match)
There’s not a lot you can say about a forward that contributes 2 goals and an assist, other than well done! Vazquez also completed a dribble, had 3 progressive carries, and 5 shot creating actions. Defensively, the young American worked tirelessly contributing 15 pressures and 2 blocks. His only negative continues to be his first touch and his struggles to hold the ball up under pressure. He led the team in being dispossessed 6 times, including 5 mistouches. Add in that he was only 3 of 9 in aerial duels, and his excellent performance looks as if it can still be improved.
ST – Dom Badji – 6
Badji’s numbers were solid across the board including 27 touches and 11 pressures. However, he contributed only 1 shot creating action, and was credited with 3 mistouches. Badji appears to be getting more comfortable, however, receiving a season high 69.2% of passes sent his way.
SUBS
Brenner (66th minute) – 6
Brenner entered the match, replacing Dom Badji, with 24 minutes left to play. In his limited time on the pitch he completed 3 dribbles, had 3 shot creating actions, and received 83.3% of the passes sent his way. His rating could have been much higher had Lucho let him step up to the spot to take the penalty in the 78′.
Alvaro Barreal (78th Minute) – 6
Alvaro came on for Lucho to see out the game in the closing quarter hour. He completed 100% of his passes (only 6 of 6) and added a successful dribble. He was instrumental in the build up to Vazquez’s 2nd goal, and was very active defensively in his limited game time.
Calvin Harris (90th Minute) – N/A
Harris came on for Vazquez to close out stoppage time and give the American a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd.
Haris Medunjanin (90th Minute) – N/A
Medunjanin came on for Junior Moreno to see out the match.
Injury Notes: Ray Gaddis (groin), Allan Cruz (undisclosed family matter), John Nelson (back)