MLS / Player ratings / Union

Player ratings: Philadelphia Union 2-1 New England Revolution

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Anthony Fontana netted his second goal of the match deep in stoppage time as the Union edged 10 man New England Revolution 2-1. The goal was the second for the Union homegrown player, whose 74th minute goal opened the scoring on the night.

Up a man for close to half an hour, the Union were lucky to escape with all three points after Tajon Buchanan equalized in the 81st minute. But Fontana would have the last say – a brilliant finish from outside the box to win the game.

Player Ratings

Andre Blake – 6

Just one save on the night. Good positioning to force Kelyn Rowe to shoot wide just before the half with one of New England’s best chances. Not much he do about the goal from close range.

Ray Gaddis – 6

Quiet night on the right side for Gaddis. Good pass into Aaronson that led to Fontana’s opener.

Jakob Glesnes – 6

Glesnes is a fine player to have as a third center back. Was good on the ball and hit a number of really lovely diagonals on the night. Didn’t cover himself in glory on the New England goal. Looks a threat in the final third, decent header in the 30th minute just wide of the post.

Mark McKenzie – 6

Like Glesnes and Real, on the hook for the New England goal, stepping up and then getting beat. Also allowed Rowe to drift in behind for his chance right before halftime. Solid otherwise, four recoveries and five clearances.

Olivier Mbaizo –  5

New England gave Mbaizo plenty of room out on the left flank, but the youngster obviously doesn’t have confidence to drive to the end line on his weaker foot. Some good moments coming infield though, picked out Wooten early on with a great pass to open up the New England defense.

Jose Martinez – 6

Beaten too easily on the New England goal. Did well to cut in front of Pollster and force the referee’s hand to give a second yellow card. Led both teams with 14 recoveries.

Alejandro Bedoya – 6

Should have an assist when Przybylko scuffed his shot in the 58th minute. Typical, gritty performance from the captain operating down the right – consistent in possession, difficult to beat defensively.

Jamiro Monteiro – 6

Involved in most of the Union’s best moves. Great cross-field ball that led to Aaronson’s first half chance. Eight recoveries, including three in the offensive half. Still would have liked to see Monteiro stamp more of his mark on the match up a man for so long.

Brenden Aaronson – 6

Could have scored from a good opportunity in the 38th minute where he should have done better with his chance. Fantastic run to burst into the box and recycle his pass to Przybylko that led to Fontana’s opener.

Andrew Wooten – 3

Had an early shot and then disappeared. Found himself dropping too deep to get involved, only completed two passes in the final third How much off the pace must Michee Ngalina be if he can’t get a few minutes over Wooten?

Kacper Przybylko – 5

Should have scored in the 58th minute when he missed a wide open net from 5 yards. Some good moments – great cushioned header to play in Aaronson in the 38th minute and did well to keep the play alive for Fontana’s opener.

Subs

Matt Real – 3

Poor tackle as Tajon Buchanan ghosted in to score New England’s goal.

Anthony Fontana – 9

Pure impact. Two goals including a stoppage time game winner from outside the box. Both goals were very well taken – a cool chip for the opener and an absolute smash for the winner.

Jack DeVries – n/a

Late cameo.

Player of the Match – Anthony Fontana

Just click over and watch the winner one more time.

Geiger Counter

Guido Gonzales Jr. – 2

Poor night for the referee in which he was inconsistent for much of the match. Hard to argue with Pollster’s two yellow cards from the New England perspective. Allowed the visitors to waste time with little repercussion for much of the match.

4 Comments

  1. Feel like Wooten can score higher. It’s ok to have a striker option who can drop deep and help the build up, especially since Aaronson is still prone to staying too high and disappearing for stretches. When teams sit back and let us pass around, someone like Wooten is actually a help in my eyes.
    .
    In fact, for the reasons above I thought it hurt us to take him off in the second half. I think one of the reasons we looked so bad in the second half is because we were not taking advantage of the man advantage well enough – Aaronson and Przybylko were sitting on the backline like they always do and taking themselves out of the build up. NE was way to comfortable with this.
    .
    While Przybylko is getting his scoring habits back he is still not as good in other areas of the build up as he was last year, so I think Wooten has a place.

    • In Tanner We Trust says:

      100% agree. Not Wooten’s best game but I think he’ll establish himself as more of a threat if given time. He has some good habits. Altho I’d be ok with Burke jumping him on the depth chart when he’s back and fit.

  2. In Tanner We Trust says:

    Abysmal refereeing in this game. Got a lot of calls wrong. I think the grades for Wooten, Aaronson, and Monteiro are harsh. 10 and 22 in particular looked dangerous all night, but suffered from teammates being out of place imho. Przybylko flat out whiffed, and I’m giving Bedoya and Aaronson full credit for a fantastic set up. Mbaizo just wasn’t on the same page at all. I wouldn’t say he was terrible, but there was a noticeable lack of chemistry, which can’t happen when NE is giving us the entire left side. Saved by Fontana in this one for sure.

  3. I thought in the second half the group as a whole looked tired out..
    .
    From what we have been told so far about the rest of the season, they are going to play two games a week for a month with now let up…
    .
    Rotate the midfield or die. Bedoya may want to be the Union’s Iron Horse, but he needs rest if he’s to have anything left at the end of the regular season. .
    .
    I agree with Mike Servedio that it is time to see Michee Ngalina. He may have been recovering from something, we don’t know. But Wooten does not threaten space behind a defense the way Santos does, and Ngalina should.
    .
    Even if Burke’s immigration status were to resolve, he would have a two week quarantine to serve, most likely. The club itself should impose such a regime to protect itself , without regard to the requirements of local authorities.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*