Photo: Paul Rudderow
It was far from pretty, but the Union’s draw in D.C. clinched the Union’s fourth playoff appearance in five years. Against MLS’s worst, Philadelphia were saved by center back Mark McKenzie’s blast in the match’s dying embers to secure a 2-2 tie.
Despite the result, the Union had some good fortune regarding the rest of the eastern conference. Toronto and Orlando also drew in their respective matches while Columbus dropped all three points against rival Cincinnati.
For the Union, it meant they didn’t lose ground. It’s also a missed opportunity. Against D.C., which players made the most of their opportunities?
Player ratings
GK: Andre Blake — 6
The star keeper made some good saves, but couldn’t guess right on Yamil Asad’s penalty.
RB: Olivier Mbaizo — 5
It was a quiet match for the Cameroonian defender, who didn’t stand out for better or worse.
CB: Jack Elliott — 3
Elliott got picked on D.C.’s opening goal, losing his man on the corner. In the first half, some shaky defending led to a few chances for the home side.
CB: Mark McKenzie — 8
It’s a shame his goal took a deflection, because that was an absolutely beautiful hit for his first professional score. With Brenden Aaronson’s bit of business in the books, McKenzie will surely be the next homegrown heading to Europe.
LB: Kai Wagner — 4
It wasn’t a great game for Wagner, whose most notable moment was a poor throw-in leading to a dangerous D.C. counter.
DM: Alejandro Bedoya — 6
Filling in at the base of the Union’s midfield diamond, his ball-winning play led to Philly’s opening goal. Can’t blame him for penalty, but the Union will now be short-handed in New England.
LM: Jamiro Monteiro — 5
Against a poor side, Monteiro should have shined much brighter. He didn’t stand out until the final moments of the match.
RM: Brenden Aaronson — 6
This has less to do with his play Wednesday night that it does the official announcement of his move to RB Salzburg. He gets a rating to mirror every million included in his transfer fee, minus incentives and sell-on deals.
CAM: Anthony Fontana — 7
What a boring poacher’s goal. Among players with more than two appearances, Fontana leads MLS in goals per 90 minutes. So why is he always the first player removed?
F: Sergio Santos — 4
With little involvement, Santos didn’t make an impact. He made some great runs in the final third, but his teammates couldn’t make that final pass.
F: Kacper Przybylko — 4
It was a better night for Przybylko, but the forward has now gone six games without a goal.
Substitutes
Ilsinho — 5
The Brazilian couldn’t find his cape to be the Union’s super sub in this one.
Andrew Wooten — 5
Wooten’s only real moment was a stopped shot from an offside position.
Geiger counter
Chad Ashton — 6
By the letter of the law, it was a penalty. The ref can’t be blamed for enforcing it. But that law should be changed.
Player of the game
Mark McKenzie
What a shot. But McKenzie was again stellar defensively. He has been the Union’s best outfield player so far this season.
Don’t you dare give Olivier Mbaizo a 5, Nick Fishman. Don’t you dare. Don’t make me write an “Everybody loves Raymon” welcome back piece where I share GIFs upon GIFs of why the Union need Gaddis back to win the Shield. Don’t. You. Dare.
Same thoughts here as I was reading these. Mbaizo was constantly giving up possession and slowing the attack.
You should write that piece lol. We need Ray back.
I’m in camp Mbaizo needs to sit. I still dont love playing Ray but he is obviously the better of our current options.
100%…. Mbazio was esily the most underwhelming player on the field.
.
…as for Kacper. He’s demonstrated a proclivity for scoring in bunches or not at all. This season could come down to timing with his scoring and the need to score important goals in knockout games.
Ashton did not rate a 6, closer to 3-4. The game was chippy, and he was losing control due to uncalled fouls (going both directions)
“Mbaizo didn’t stand out for better or worse”? Are you kidding me. He needs to figure what he wants to to with the ball when he gets it. He’s always receiving the ball, then taking a few moments to decide what to do when there was a quick pass to be made that he missed. Of the 22 players on the field, he definitely ranked #22.
Hate it when a goalie just stands there on a penalty. He should at least have dived to one side, whether it was the right one or not.
.
Monteiro needs to shoot more. He is always looking for the perfect pass on the edge of the penalty area but never shoots. Even a lousy shot can result in a deflection and a possible goal.
.
Kacper should have scored on that first shot that Seitz spilled. Just can’t believe it he missed that opportunity.
Not related to player ratings, but if anyone in Delaware County isn’t aware, Subaru Park is having a voting center/ballot drop off event today, tomorrow, and Sunday. It’s 10-6 today and tomorrow and 12-6 Sunday. You can register to vote, pick up a mail in ballot, drop off a mail in ballot and some other stuff.
.
Unfortunately it is for Delaware County residents only.
.
https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/post/2020/10/14/delaware-county-and-philadelphia-union-host-voter-service-center-oct-16-18-subaru
One less chance for the Union to win a trophy this year as it was announced today that the Supporters Shield will not be awarded.