Photo courtesy of Kevin Barrett

The Union battled top-of-the-table Nashville SC to a 0-0 draw at home on Saturday. It was a bit of a dour, defensive game, and although the Union have shown some improvement from their winless start to the season, there is still a lot of work to do to turn things around.

Player Ratings

GK Andre Blake – 6.5

Didn’t have much to do on the night, but made a smart save on the Ahmed Qasam shot when he was finally called upon.

LB Nathan Harriel – 6

Harriel mostly held his own, but Nashville was able to create danger down his side, particularly after Nashville’s A-team subbed on.

CB Japhet Sery – N/A

Forced off with injury after just 13 minutes.

CB Olwethu Makhanya – 7

Led the team with 11 defensive contributions and settled the backline nicely after Sery’s early injury.

RB Frankie Westfield – 7.5

Stout defensively and was a constant threat with his service, both with the long throw and from open play. Westfield is much more impactful when attacking down the right, and I would prefer to see him here for the rest of the season.

DM Danley Jean Jacques – 5.5

Another quiet game from Danley, who has struggled to influence the game on either side of the ball to the extent he did last season.

DM Jovan Lukic – 6

Created a good chance for himself in the 11th minute, but blasted his shot just high and wide.

AM Cavan Sullivan – 7

One of the most dangerous players in the attack for the Union in the first half. In particular, Sullivan showed some promising defensive bite and strength on the dribble, which may allow him to stay on the pitch more consistently going forward.

AM Indiana Vassilev – 5.5

Largely quiet, but unlucky not to score (or at least cause an own goal) with his shot that ricocheted off the post and back off of Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake in the 53rd minute.

FWD Ezekiel Alladoh – 5.5

Showed some moments of good hold-up play, but still wasn’t entirely on the same page as his teammates. Hopefully that chemistry will build with more reps.

FWD Milan Iloski – 5

Created one good chance in the 49th minute with some smart running and an early shot, but overall was not as involved as the Union need him to be.

Substitutes

(15’) Geiner Martinez – 6.5

Came on early after Sery’s injury and showed well in his first minutes since March 18, offering good defensive bite and solid positioning, even as Nashville’s talented attackers entered in the second half.

(69’) Agustin Anello – 6.5

This was perhaps Anello’s best performance in a Union shirt to date, rattling the post with a long-range shot in the 72nd minute, and showing a few quality moments in possession. To my eye, he looked more comfortable in midfield than he did at forward earlier this season.

(69’) Bruno Damiani – 4.5

Damiani’s brutal finishing season continues, as the big Uruguayan took four shots in just over 20 minutes, none of which hit the target.

Geiger Counter

REF Elijio Arreguin – 5.5

Fell for a few Nashville flops that I noticed, but largely let things play.

Player of the Match: Geiner Martinez

It’s never easy to come into the match cold at center back, particularly when you have only played about 100 minutes of soccer in the past two months, but Martinez played well and helped the Union secure the clean sheet.

What’s Next…

The Union travel up to Foxborough, Massachusetts to take on the New England Revolution on Saturday, May 9 (7:30 p.m. EST / Apple TV).