Orlando City vs. New England Revolution: Player Grades and Man of the Match

In Jason Kreis’ first match as the new head coach of Orlando City, the Lions came out focused and driven, scoring three goals in the second half en route to a convincing 3-1 victory. Here are our grades and Man of the Match for a solid victory

Starting XI

GK, Joe Bendik: 7 – Besides the goal scored by Kei Kamara, Bendik was his usual, solid self. Had some moments late in the second half where he had to come up with stops, but for the most part, it was a fairly easy night for the keeper. Did have a great fingertip save in the 90th minute against Charlie Davies as well.

D, Kevin Alston: 5.5 – Alston’s night against his former club was a bit poor. Often got caught tucking in too much on defense, leaving open crosses into the box from his wing. Also had a few miscues on defense and errors communicating with the rest of his back line. However, he was still good enough to contribute to the team allowing only one goal from the visitors.

D, Seb Hines: 6.5 – Hines was tasked with marking his former Middlesborough teammate, Kei Kamara, and did a fairly decent job of it. Besides the counter attack in the 19th minute, where he scored the goal, Kamara didn’t get too many chances going forward. Hines was constantly on his back, providing pressure on the striker, and it looked to have gotten into his head a bit. On the offensive end, he got a chance at a header in the 61st minute, but the shot went wide.

D, David Mateos: 6.5 – Had an all right night on the defensive end. Led the team in interceptions and clearances and came up with a few crucial tackles along the way. Gave the ball away in the ninth minute, which started a Revs counter, but recovered and blocked the ensuing cross.

DF, Luke Boden: 6 – Much like his outside back counterpart, Boden had a substandard night. Good position early on to block Bunbury’s shot on goal but got caught forward on Kamara’s goal, and struggled to keep up with faster players on both ends of the pitch. Was a part of the fantastic combination play leading to Molino’s second goal and was credited with a hockey assist for his efforts. Also had a high passing accuracy with 92%.

MF, Servando Carrasco: 6 – When you don’t have much to say about the defensive midfielders, it usually means they did their jobs well. Carrasco led the team in total tackles with five and helped man the midfield for the full 90 minutes.

MF, Antonio Nocerino 6.5 – After the game, Jason Kreis said in his press conference that Nocerino earned his starting spot during the Stoke City match. While he wasn’t spectacular, his performance was a step in the right direction for the Italian. Was subbed out in the 79th minute to make room for Higuita.

MF, Hadji Barry: 6 – Barry’s pace in the first half of the match was a big part in creating chances in the final third. Played a nice 1-2 with Larin to feed him in on goal, but the Canadian couldn’t convert. The rookie was subbed out at halftime for Brek Shea.

MF, Kaká: 7.5 – The captain looked like a man possessed throughout the match. He created chances on offense, tracked back on defense, was second on the team in shots behind Molino, was the third highest in passing accuracy with 91% and assisted on Molino’s third goal. He was subbed out in the 84th minute for Darwin Cerén.

MF, Kevin Molino: 8.5 (MOTM) – Molino Mania is sweeping the nation. Notched his eighth assist in the 46th minute on a pass to Larin to open Orlando’s scoring. Had a great chance for a goal in the 52nd minute off of an Alston cross, but his deft flick went inches wide of the net. Scored his eighth goal on the year, a header from a cross from Shea, which gave Orlando the 2-1 lead. Then, in the 83rd minute, from a multitude of combination passes from Molino, Boden, and Kaká, the Trinidadian finished an open chance in the box for his ninth goal on the year.

FW, Cyle Larin: 7 – Once again, Larin was as solid as a rock up top. Constantly got pummeled by the defense, but took the beating and kept going, besides being completely gassed by the end of the game. Got free on goal off a good pass from Hadji Barry in the 29th minute, but scuffed the shot into the stands. Had a nice turn in the 37th minute and almost curled one in, but it was deflected wide. Then, in the second half, he made a fantastic run down the left wing, played a nice combination with Molino, and finished far post for his 11th goal of the season.

Substitutes

MF, Brek Shea (45′): 7 – Had a decent game after subbing in for Hadji Barry at halftime. Got into the box and put in a great cross on his weaker foot to Molino for the Lions’ second goal. Made another great run through the middle of the defense in the 76th minute, but his shot was saved by Shuttleworth. Had a very high 93% passing accuracy as well.

MF, Cristian Higuita (79′): 6 – Came on for Nocerino to give the Lions some fresh legs for the last 20 minutes. Earned a yellow card in the 80th minute, meaning he will miss Orlando’s next game against Seattle.

MF, Darwin Cerén (84′): N/A – Came on to provide defensive cover for the last few minutes of the match.

Those are the grades from a much needed 3-1 win over the New England Revolution. Feel differently about our grades? Let us know in the poll and comments below.

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