FC Cincinnati had the chance to get back to .500 by getting a win over CF Montreal, the team that they have had the most success against in MLS. It wasn’t to be though, and FCC fell at home 4-3 to move them to 2-0-4 on the season.
Brandon Vazquez got back to his scoring ways in the 12′ to give FCC the early lead. However, just five minutes later Djordje Mihailović equaled the score. Not to be outdone, Vazquez created another opportunity that led to an own goal a few minutes later to restore the lead. Then things got worse. Mihailović added his 2nd in the 41′ to even the score, then Kai Kamara netted the go-ahead goal in first half stoppage.
Early in the 2nd FCC was handed a lifeline when Alvas Powell was brought down in the box. Lucho Acosta tucked the PK home to knot the score at 3. Once again a chance at the points was short lived, as Joaquin Torres scored the game winner just 6 minutes later. FC Cincinnati now sits in 10th 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 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 player rating systems from Who Scored and FOTMOB.
- All passing percentages will be taken from FBREF.
- 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 – 2.1, CF Montreal – 1.7, per mlssoccer.com
Now onto the ratings:
Manager – Pat Noonan – 5
Noonan did what he could on the night, setting his team up to counter Montreal’s 3-5-2 formation. However, too many of his players had below-par performances. Tied at 3-3, he elected to change formations to a 4-3-3 and bring on Haris Medunjanin. This might have been the fateful moment as CF Montreal scored the game winner moments later.
GK – Alec Kann – 4
Kann has run hot and cold so far this season. After the first match against Austin, many were ready to jettison the veteran. Then he put in a series of excellent performances. Against CF Montreal, however, he faced a post-shot xG of only 1.6 despite giving up 4 goals. He couldn’t have done much about either of Mihailović’s goals, but the other two were eminently saveable. He had a couple of nice moments, but he’ll be the first to step up and say he needs to do better.
RWB – Alvas Powell – 7
Powell had 4 shot creating actions. Though he didn’t get credited with an assist, his cross was crucial in Vazquez’s opener, and he drew the penalty that allowed Lucho to equal from the spot in the 2nd half. He got up and down the field and earned plaudits from Pat Noonan for his work rate. His 70% passing completion needs to improve, however, and he also got dribbled twice. A good performance from the Jamaican international, but he still has some areas he can improve upon.
CB – Nick Hagglund – 5
Hagglund was the lowest rated defender on both WhoScored and FOTMOB. He wasn’t a huge liability, but it was his 1v1 defensive error that allowed Mihailović to score Montreal’s first. Hagglund also lost both of his aerial duels. He failed to record a tackle, and was fairly anonymous all game.
CB – Geoff Cameron – 5
Cameron led the team with 7 combined tackles and interceptions. He also maintained a solid 84.6% passing rate. However, the big center back won only 1 of his 6 aerial duels and committed 2 fouls. He also got dribbled 3 times, including one that led directly to a goal. His mistimed step also allowed Kamara in behind for his tally. Overall, Cameron will not be happy with his performance.
CB – Tyler Blackett – 6
Blackett was solid in the air, winning all 3 of his aerial duels. He contributed 9 recoveries and 2 tackles. He didn’t have any of his trademark long passes to unlock the defense, and his confusion in the runout for Montreal’s game winner was a contributing factor.
LWB – Ray Gaddis – 6
Playing on his weaker side, Gaddis was only able to complete one progressive pass all match. His overall 72.5% completion was not great, and defensively he got dribbled twice. However, he tied Cameron for the team lead in combined tackles and interceptions and completed a dribble himself. Ultimately, he wasn’t the reason FCC lost, but he didn’t help them win either.
DCM – Junior Moreno – 7
Moreno’s 83.8% passing led all starters, and he tallied 4 progressive passes. His gorgeous long ball put Powell in behind for the FCC opener. His 6 combined tackles and interceptions along with his 18 pressures make for a solid outing.
CM – Yuya Kubo – 4
Kubo had a far quieter match than we’re used to seeing. He only had 1 shot creating action. His 5 combined tackles and interceptions were far lower than his standard, and he won only 28.6% of his duels. He also didn’t take good care of the ball, being credited for 2 unsuccessful touches. His 73.7% passing isn’t quite good enough. Finally, he was dispossessed twice, including one that led directly to a goal.
CAM – Luciano Acosta – 6
Lucho hit the 70% passing that should be his target. He created a healthy 6 shots and deposited a penalty kick to get on the score sheet. He completed 2 dribbles, and his .8 expected assists led the team. However, the eye test still says that he turns the ball over in transition moments far too often. Finally, he didn’t track back as well as he should have and did little to help his team defensively.
ST – Brandon Vazquez – 7 (Man of the Match)
Vazquez looked the part of a starting center forward on Saturday. His goal was well taken, and he did the majority of the work that led to Alistair Johnston’s own goal. He also should have had an assist when he crossed for Dom Badji, who couldn’t score with a wide open header. Most impressive was his improvement as a target forward, receiving 61.1% of the passes sent his way. However, his 59.1% passing hurts his team in possession, and he was also dispossessed twice.
ST – Dom Badji – 5
Badji works hard. Even when he’s not having a great game you can always count on him to bring intensity. He contributed 6 ball recoveries and 2 tackles. However, he missed a golden opportunity to score when Vazquez picked him out with a cross in transition, and he wasn’t able to win a single one of his 6 aerial duels. He’ll need to do more than just work hard if he wants to keep his starting spot with Brenner waiting in the wings.
SUBS
Brenner (61st minute) – 5
Brenner entered the match in the 61st minute to play left wing in a 4-2-3-1 formation. He managed only 10 touches and was 5 of 8 passing in his 30 odd minutes on the pitch. He was able to log a shot but was fairly anonymous otherwise. Not a good sign from a $13 million player.
Haris Medunjanin (61st minute) – 6
Medunjanin came on for Yuya Kubo when Noonan changed formations to a 4-2-3-1. In his short time on the pitch, he still managed to come in 2nd in progressive passes with 5. However, he just isn’t a presence defensively. He didn’t add a tackle or interception and didn’t get into a single duel. Finally, he was slow to recover on Montreal’s game winner, and could have prevented it if he worked back a bit more quickly.
Álvaro Barreal (76th Minute) – 6
Barreal came on to play right wing and push Dom Badji to left back when Alvas Powell cramped up late on. He got into 2 tackles and completed a dribble. He also got into 6 duels, winning 66.7% of them. He wasn’t able to contribute much offensively, however.
Nick Markanich (85th Minute) – 5
Markanich came on for Vazquez to push for an equalizer late on. He was gifted a glorious chance to tie the match when Haris Medunjanin put in an excellent ball that found him for the open header in the 6 yard box. He put the chance wide when it was more difficult to miss the target than to score.
Injury Notes: John Nelson (back), Ronald Matarrita (ankle), Allan Cruz (family), Calvin Harris (leg)