FC Cincinnati followed up its dominant win over Miami with an absolute stinker against Charlotte. After giving up two goals early in the match, they made some adjustments and battled back into the game. However, when it looked like they would tie the game through a Lucho Acosta penalty kick, he wasn’t able to convert. Then, when it looked like they did tie the game through a Luca Orellano wonder strike – again they didn’t. Charlotte eventually scored a third, Miles Robinson picked up a red card and the home team stumbled to their fourth home defeat on the season.
Let’s look at where your favorite FCC players ranked for this match.
Check out Cincinnati Soccer Talk’s post-match report HERE for more details.
RULES:
- Each player starts off with a six 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 and statistics from websites like FB Ref, Who Scored and FOTMOB.
- All statistics used will be taken from fbref.com when possible.
- A player may receive a N/A if they are subbed on/off before any quantifiable statistics are available.
Expected Goals (xG): FC Cincinnati – 2.1, Charlotte FC – 1.7, per fbref.com
Formation: 3-5-2
Now, onto the ratings:
Manager – Pat Noonan – 5.5
Pat Noonan unquestionably got his tactics wrong to open this match. With Charlotte packing the midfield and pressing high, FCC had no way of progressing the ball through the thirds because Lucho Acosta wasn’t able to get on the ball, Luca Orellano wasn’t effective at receiving and playing forward, and the team seemed unwilling to play off Kevin Kelsy as a target. On the rare occasions that FCC did possess the ball going forward, Noonan failed to set up his team with a structure that could limit the Charlotte counterattack.
However, I have to give the gaffer credit for his halftime adjustments. Not only did he get the ineffective and uninvolved Kevin Kelsy off the pitch, but he adjusted the structure of the press to push Pavel Bucha deeper to limit the counter while pushing Yuya Kubo higher to limit Charlotte’s ability to play out easily. These changes allowed FCC to get back into the match and even dominate at times in the second half.
GK – Roman Celentano – 5
Roman Celentano has come under fire from some in the FCC fan base for seemingly slipping in his play of late. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like he had that poor of an outing in this match. His three goals allowed on 2.7 PSxG is about what you’d expect. Even though he was beaten at the near post for the first Charlotte goal, Iuri Tavares’s shot was from short-range, while Celentano had to drop from the center of the goal to his post. The PSxG on that shot was 0.77 … basically the same as a penalty kick. Roman also made a nice diving save on a decent Nathan Byrne chance in the 27th minute. Finally, the young goalkeeper was also pretty good in possession, completing all 15 of his medium-range passes and four of six long balls.
Roman needs to be discussed about his performance. He doesn’t come out for corners or set pieces. Can’t distribute the ball accurately at a high percentage rate with the legs. It’s frustrating watching him at times. I know our defense isn’t great but he needs to step up
— Alex Mendez (@mendez7361) July 14, 2024
However, even if I disagree with Alex’s point about ball distribution, he’s dead on with his thoughts about how frustrating it is to watch Roman sometimes. Roman’s decision-making is why I’m giving him a low rating for this performance. Even if the shot on the first Charlotte goal was expected to go in, I have to ask if Roman might have been able to come and get a hand on the lofted ball into the box. It was bending away from him but wasn’t hit with any great pace. He also failed to come out and clear the long ball in behind his defense in the 72nd minute, which led to Miles Robinson picking up a red card even though it sure looked like everyone on the pitch expected him to do so. These are fixable problems for a young goalkeeper who has the raw tools to be very good.
LWB – Yamil Asad – 6.5
Yamil Asad has been putting together a string of good performances. Having a wingback that can lead the team with 13 progressive receptions while chipping in five shot-creating actions and four key passes is an incredible boon to this FCC offense. Watch his incredible timing to lay the pass off to Acosta at just the right moment for the team’s only goal on the night:
Can always count on the Captain. 🫡
CIN | 1 – 2 | CLT pic.twitter.com/39mFnO4KC9
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) July 14, 2024
Asad’s big problem isn’t on-ball defense. He’s not the best 1v1 defender, getting dribbled twice in the match, but he is more than adequate. He put in two tackles and had two blocked passes in this match. However, his fitness and recovery speed is an issue. His lack of ability to get up and down the line puts Ian Murphy under a ton of pressure every game. When he was torched by Liel Abada in the 66th minute, leading to Murphy blocking the ball out for the corner that led to Charlotte’s third goal, I think it was because he was tired from making a long recovery run. That tiredness showed on the ensuing corner when he was unable to do enough to put Kerwin Vargas off his header, allowing the winger, who isn’t known for his aerial prowess, to score easily.
LCB – Ian Murphy – 7
When goals come from the FCC left side, Ian Murphy tends to get blamed. However, as mentioned above, I think he is put under a ton of pressure by playing behind converted wingers like Luca Orellano or Asad. Murphy had one big mistake in this match, and that was allowing Abada to too easily split him and Robinson and run through on goal to score Charlotte’s second. However, that came directly off a turnover when he was split wide, providing support in possession.
Murphy’s defense also directly led to FCC’s only goal in the match. He stepped into a passing lane and won the ball just before the chance. He also won the ball back, which led to the quick shot from which FCC won their penalty kick. He only got into three duels on the night but won them all and also earned a blocked pass, a blocked shot and two interceptions. Murphy was also good in possession, completing 85.1 percent of his passes while contributing a very respectable five progressive and six passes into the final third.
CB – Miles Robinson – 5
Even without the red card, Miles Robinson did not have his best match. Whether it was a lack of communication between him and his teammates, having one eye on the Olympics or something else, I couldn’t say, but he made two huge mistakes that were less about skill and more about reading the game. First, watch how he steps forward unnecessarily allowing Abada to too easily receive a through ball and score Charlotte’s second goal of the match:
“Can you believe it??”
Yes, of course we can! 😤 pic.twitter.com/Iaz1GQQHdc
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) July 14, 2024
Then, even though I think Roman should have come out for the long ball that led to Robinson’s red card, I also think the center back shouldn’t have stopped tracking the runner until he was certain that was happening. Finally, it looked like he had enough recovery speed to slow down Vargas without fouling, but he bundled the forward over clumsily anyway.
Outside of those moments, Miles was quite good. He won three of his four aerial duels while earning four tackles and two interceptions. He wasn’t dribbled despite having two attempts against him, and he also grabbed five ball recoveries. Finally, his six of 10 long passing is a good mark for a center back.
RCB – Alvas Powell – 7
How the heck do you grade a player who was borderline fantastic but committed one huge mistake and was given the hook at halftime? I guess I’ll start with the mistake. It is unconscionable how easily Powell let Tavares get behind him on Charlotte’s first goal.
Not getting a highlight up before another goal is scored is a good problem to have, tbh 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/T0lhfVxaiJ
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) July 14, 2024
Powell has to do better in that situation, and without it, he may have stayed on the pitch en route to a man-of-the-match performance. Alvas was, quite frankly, incredible in 1v1 during open play in this match. He set the tone by standing up Vargas on the dribble in the third minute of the match, then carrying the ball out of pressure and forcing Djibril Diani into fouling him and picking up a yellow card. He also put out a fire in the ninth minute when he came across the pitch to tackle Tavares after the big forward got in behind Miles Robinson.
In the end, Powell won nine of 10 ground duels. He also led the team with five tackles despite playing only 45 minutes. And, more impressively, he won possession on all of them. He could have done better in possession, passing at just a 77.4 percent rate with only one progressive pass. However, falling asleep at the back post as an outside center back is something that just can’t happen, and I’m not sure we’ll see Powell playing that role again soon.
RWB – DeAndre Yedlin – 7.5
DeAndre Yedlin didn’t do anything flashy in this match, but he was incredibly solid, splitting his time between wingback and outside center back. Defensively, he won all four of his aerial duels while tallying three tackles, a blocked pass and an interception. He was also second on the team with six ball recoveries.
On the ball, DeAndre didn’t flash any real brilliance. He nearly got on the scoresheet after a nice run to the back post in the 44th minute but couldn’t direct his header on frame. He took care of the ball, completing 80.9 percent of his passes, but only managed one progressive pass. He did, however, contribute two shot-creating actions.
DCM – Pavel Bucha – 4.5
At the game. Looked like Bucha’s worst performance of the year. We all have bad days but this was EPIC. Midfield mess or just one of those days? Kubo was absent until like 35′ mark and Lucho got the beat-down bad. @CharlotteFC tactic? If so they played to their advantage. Cheers
— I’m just a normal boy… (@bilboleo1) July 15, 2024
I have to say, I agree that Pavel Bucha might have had his worst performance for the Orange and Blue in this match. Like many of his teammates, he was mostly okay but made some huge individual errors. His 85.4 percent passing rate with five progressive passes is more than good enough for a player in his position. He also contributed three shot-creating actions. Defensively, he tallied three tackles, two blocked passes, and an interception. He also grabbed five ball recoveries.
However, his mistakes were incredibly costly. He had the ball easily taken off his foot in the 20th minute, leading to the transition opportunity that resulted in Charlotte’s opening goal. Then, he didn’t do enough to control a throw-in minutes later, leading to their second. In all, he was dispossessed three times. Finally, I have no idea what he was doing on Charlotte’s third goal when he was supposed to be on the post, but he floated inexplicably outside of the frame of the goal, allowing Vargas’ header to sneak past him. Had he been in the right position, he would have easily saved that ball off the line.
DCM – Yuya Kubo – 6.5
Yuya Kubo was mostly fine in this match. He is no Obinna Nwobodo, but he still led the team with eight ball recoveries while tallying three tackles and an interception. I think he could have done better with his recovery run on Charlotte’s opening goal when he dropped to the middle where no attackers were present instead of recovering to the ball side, but that wasn’t why his team conceded.
Offensively, he followed Bucha’s lead and was very good most of the time, with a few head-clutching turnovers. He completed 81.1 percent of his passes, including five progressive passes. But, he also passed the ball directly to a Charlotte player on numerous occasions, like in the ninth minute when he tried to play a simple ball to Asad but hit it directly to Ashley Westwood instead, allowing Charlotte to get out on the counterattack.
CAM – Luciano Acosta – 7
Lucho Acosta had the makings of a match that could have cemented his lead in the MVP race and, even more importantly, resulted in me giving him man-of-the-match honors. His goal to cut the lead in half was just a fantastic finish. If you haven’t seen it, scroll up to Asad’s blurb and have another look … it’s worth it. He also completed 80.5 percent of his passes including all four long pass attempts, and contributed seven shot-creating actions. He had only five progressive passes but upped his game with seven progressive carries.
However, I can’t ignore the fact that Acosta failed to convert the penalty kick that would have tied the game. He struck the shot well enough but didn’t put enough height on the shot, allowing the goalkeeper to make the save. Furthermore, he was absent for large stretches of the match. He had fewer touches in this match than he is typically used to and also had only six progressive receptions.
CAM – Luca Orellano – 7.5 (Man of the Match)
I talked on this week’s Talking Tactics about Luca Orellano’s struggles as a right-sided #10. He really struggles at times to understand how to defend in the midfield. He didn’t log a tackle, interception, or block in this match and had only three ball recoveries. Orellano also struggles to find space between the lines to receive the ball, as evidenced by his mere three progressive receptions.
However, the young Argentinian is simply incredible when running with the ball at speed. Because of this, he keeps defenders guessing and swarming toward him, allowing his teammates to have more space. He led the team with four shots in this match and put three on target. He also tied Lucho with seven shot-creating actions and led the team with five key passes and 0.4 xA. Finally, had his goal not been ruled out for an offside in the build-up, Orellano also might just have dragged his team back into the match single-handedly. This kid is special, and Pat Noonan needs to continue to find ways to get him in space with the ball at his feet.
ST – Kevin Kelsy – 4.5
Big Kev has really hit a run of poor form of late. I think most of that is due to his lack of involvement in the play. He had just 11 touches in this match. As a target forward, his two progressive receptions simply weren’t enough. Then, on the rare occasions that he got the ball, he wasn’t very good with it. He completed only two of his six passes and was credited with three mistouches.
Kelsy still shows flashes of the skill that made him shine when he first arrived in Cincinnati. His great hold-up play helped create a golden chance for Orellano in the fourth minute. However, until he gets on the same page with his teammates and gets more involved in the match, I’m not sure how Noonan can justify starting him.
SUBS
Sergio Santos (46th minute) – 7
Sergio Santos doubled up Kelsy’s touches in the same amount of playing time. He also had four shot-creating actions and two key passes. His impromptu volley would have been a career highlight if not for Kristijan Kahlina’s excellent save.
Looks like an All Star to us 🧱🧤 https://t.co/IqD97oKWCf pic.twitter.com/VJPSBJclWL
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) July 14, 2024
I’ve heard a lot of talk about Santos’ poor work rate, and I just don’t see it. Strikers are never going to be among the top runners on the team or cover a ton of distance. However, Santos’ work rate and movement added so much to the team when he was introduced. His hard, far post run helped Dado Valenzuela find space for the shot, which led to FCC earning its penalty kick. His decisive near post run also helped create the space for Orellano’s goal that was eventually ruled out for offside. Until Santos starts contributing with goals, he’s never going to inspire confidence in the fan base. However, he has put together a run of consistent performances that is worthy of a bit of praise.
Gerardo Valenzuela (46th minute) – 7
Dado Valenzuela performed really well in his half of the play. He is getting very good at finding space in which to receive the ball. He had 27 touches in this match to go along with four progressive receptions. Dado also passed at an 87 percent clip while completing four of six long balls and earning two key passes. I also thought his movement and understanding of space were integral in helping him earn the penalty kick for his team. I was most impressed with his ability to play both ways after he was forced to drop deep alongside Bucha after Robinson’s red card. I’m not sure Dado will ever be a superstar or a Lucho Acosta replacement, but I am sold on his ability to be a day-in and day-out contributor for t his team.
Bret Halsey (73rd minute) – 6.5
Bret Halsey came on with his team short-handed following Robinson’s sending-off. He was bright on the ball with three progressive actions and four progressive receptions. His best moment of the match was when he turned Byrne inside out and scooped a ball off the near post in the 80th minute.
Kipp Keller (78th minute) – 7
I’m not sure why Kipp Keller seems to have fallen out of favor with Pat Noonan. He was good in his limited minutes in this match, tracking runners and not allowing Charlotte to keep the ball by dumping it long. He also completed all 13 of his passes, including four long balls.
Corey Baird (86th minute) – N/A
Availability Notes: Matt Miazga (leg), Nick Hagglund (Leg), Malik Pinto (ankle)
DEFINITIONS:
- xG – Expected goals (or xG) measures the quality of a chance by calculating the likelihood that it will be scored from a particular position on the pitch during a particular phase of play
- xAG – Expected assisted goals (or xAG) is directly related to the xG that follows a pass that assists a shot
- Post-Shot xG (PSxG) – Post-Shot xG is calculated after the shot has been taken, once it is known that the shot is on-target, taking into account the quality of the shot.
- Progressive Pass – A pass that advances toward the opponent’s goal where the distance between the starting point and the next touch is:
- at least 30 meters closer to the opponent’s goal if the starting and finishing points are within a team’s own half
- at least 15 meters closer to the opponent’s goal if the starting and finishing points are in different halves
- at least 10 meters closer to the opponent’s goal if the starting and finishing points are in the opponent’s half
- Progressive Carry – Carries that move the ball toward the opponent’s goal at least 5 yards or any carry into the penalty area. Excludes carries from the defending 40% of the pitch.
- Dribble – Moving past the opposing player while maintaining possession of the ball. When a player shields the ball or otherwise uses physical strength to maintain possession, this is not a dribble.
- Key Pass – A pass that immediately creates a clear goal scoring opportunity for a teammate. A key pass does not have to lead to a shot, and thus is different than a shot-creating action.
- Long Pass – Definition depends on the site being used. Typically, a pass that travels a distance greater than 30 yards.
- Mistouch – When a player fails when trying to gain control of the ball without a defender earning a tackle or a ground duel.
- Ground Duel – A challenge between two players to gain control of the ball, progress with the ball, or change its direction.
- Dispossessed – The times a player loses control of the ball after a tackle from an opponent, not including attempted dribbles.
- Recovery – Any action that ends the possession of the opponent without the ball going out of bounds. Recoveries are typically duels (44%) or interceptions (16%), but can happen without any specific action from the player doing the recovery (positioning himself correctly or simply collecting the ball).
