Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union traveled to Citi Field to play NYCFC on Saturday night. Another listless offensive game punctuated by an error by 19-year old goalkeeper Andrew Rick led to a 1-0 NYCFC victory.

Here are the ratings.

Player Ratings

GK Andrew Rick – 4

An otherwise acceptable showing in his second start of the year, Rick blundered by coming out of his box to challenge Alonso Martínez, who easily avoided him and shot into the empty net. Ultimately, it cost the Union a point. 

LB Kai Wagner – 7

Returning after missing the last two matches, the German left back tried to add some spark to a rather lethargic Union offense. Wagner was strong on defense, and created some nice chances but could not add to his assist tally.

CB Olwethu Makhanya – 5

Makhanya was strong at times, making nine clearances on the ground and heading clear seven times. But he was repeatedly pulled out of position, including when Mitja Ilenic found Martinez on a well-timed run behind the center back, leading to NYCFC’s goal. An early yellow card in the 33rd minute may have led to some hesitance later in the game.

CB Jakob Glesnes – 5

Not a poor night for Glesnes, but he was lucky not to have been beaten more than once. While not as strong statistically as Makhanya, he did have his share of clearances on the night. It was offensively, however, where he failed to shine, connecting just 36% of the time on his long passes.

RB Nate Harriel – 7

Harriel tried to cover for Makhanya on Martinez’s goal, but was unable to make up the ground. He was successful on all of his tackles, made clearances on the ground and in the air, and recovered well when called upon. He had two nice crosses into the NYCFC box, creating chances, and was a threat with his long throw-ins. A decent enough game from Harriel that may have won back his starting role.

DM Danley Jean-Jacques – 5

While Danley was solid, his play lacked a spark we’ve seen in previous games. He was clearly frustrated at either his play or being subbed off in the 66th minute (or both). Replaced by Uhre in a formation change that hoped to spark the offense.

DM Jovan Lukić – 6

Lukić had a better game than his pivot partner and went the full ninety. He was incredibly accurate passing on the night (92%) and had eleven passes into the final third. Also took three long rage shots, but never seriously threatened scoring.

AM Quinn Sullivan – 6

A decent night from Sullivan who created five chances in the match, including a fine pass to Baribo that was probably the Union’s best chance on the night. Took four shots on the night, though only one was on the frame, and he never seriously challenged Matt Freese. His scoring mojo continued to elude him as Sullivan still seeks his first goal on the season. 

AM Indiana Vassilev – 5

Vassilev did create two chances on the night, but ultimately did not shine. Granted, the boots he was stepping into were large and tough to fill, but the Union need more from half of the double-10s. He only had one touch inside the NYCFC box and had one long-range shot blocked before it even got into the box.

FWD Bruno Damiani – 6

Damiani started again, but with the same end result. He hustled and did pass accurately, but he lacked a finishing touch as all four of his shots failed two even challenge Freese – two were blocked and the other two off target. His rating is bumped up to a six from five because he won seven duels in his 75 minutes on the field, more than any other player on the night. Subbed off for Donovan.

FWD Tai Baribo – 6

Baribo lasted fifteen minutes longer than Damiani, going the full ninety, but to no difference. He did have a shot on target and forced a save from Freese, and probably had one of the best chances on the night when he took a pass from Sullivan at the endline, but was swarmed by NYCFC defenders before he could get a shot off. He was the most accurate passer on the night from either team to have played at least a half. 

Substitutes:

(66’) Mikael Uhre – 5

Brought on in a formation change to replace Danley, the Dane had a relatively quiet showing, failing to take a shot though he was perfect in his passing, connecting on all seven.

(75’) Alejandro Bedoya – 5

Bedoya replaced Sullivan on the right side, but did not create any chances in his time on the field. 

(75′) Chris Donovan – 5

Donovan did get his head to a cross into the box, forcing Freese into one of his three saves on the night.

(86’) Frankie Westfield – n/a

Received a yellow card in the third minute of injury time. Other than that did not add much statistically to the match.

Geiger Counter

Guido Gonzales Jr. – 7

Gonzales kept a lid on the match, not allowing either team’s persistent fouling to get out of control. Called an even match.

Player of the Match – Matt Freese 

The former Union back-up keeper had three saves on the night, keeping a clean sheet and helping NYCFC earn all three points.

What’s Next…

The Union return to Subaru park to face Atlanta FC on Saturday, April 19. 7:30 pm on Apple TV.