Orlando City at D.C. United: Player Grades and Man of the Match

Orlando City laid another egg Saturday night, falling 4-1 to D.C. United in what was a crucial match to playoff aspirations. The attack never seemed threatening, while the defense was in its usual swiss-cheese form.

Let’s see how your favorite Lions graded out. We’re going short and (not so) sweet tonight.

Starters

GK, Joe Bendik, 5.5 – Snuffed out a solid chance in the 43rd minute on his own. Great save in the 49th on Boswell’s volley. Missed a strike that wasn’t particularly well shot on the fourth goal.

D, Mikey Ambrose, 5.5 – Was chewed up by Lloyd Sam before he played it in for the sequence on United’s first goal. Did a good job getting forward throughout the match, but contributed little in the way of threatening sequences.

D, David Mateos, 4 – Both center backs were to blame on the first goal, allowing a ball to roll through the center of the box from the left side. Beaten to aerials over and over again. Was especially bad on the third goal, though at least he was in the box to defend.

D, Jose Aja, 4.5 – Nearly scored in the 25th off an MPG corner. Center backs have to make a play on the entry pass on the first D.C. United goal. Beaten to aerials over and over again.

D, Kevin Alston, 4.5 – The ball should never have been played by Kemp on the second goal, but Alston gave him plenty of space to work with. Earned a bad yellow just seconds after Nocerino left the pitch with his red card. Was nowhere to be found as Lamar Neagle built up their fourth goal.

MF, Servando Carrasco, 6 – Volleyed a chance way off target midway through the second half. Was mildly effective as a midfield presence before being subbed off.

MF, Antonio Nocerino, 5.5 – Wasn’t a standout, but did a solid job being a nuisance to the attack, including a subtle breakup of play in the 63rd that prevented a solid chance for United. Saw red in the 65th after delivering an elbow to the sternum of Mullins.

MF, Kevin Molino, 6.5 – Great job winning possession in the 25th when D.C. United began pressuring the box. Immediately drew a yellow card from Luciano Acosta in the aftermath. Drilled a shot off the woodwork in the 59th in what was the best chance to that point.

MF, Kaka, 6 – Occasionally threatening throughout, but not spectacular in the first hour. Helped get Molino in near the hour mark. Subbed off in the 64th just as he began getting his feet under him.

MF, Matias Perez Garcia, 6.5 – Freed Molino in the 30th with a well-placed lead lob pass. Buzzed around the midfield and did what he could to play attackers in. Led Baptista into the foul that led to his free kick goal in the 71st.

F, Cyle Larin, 6 – Got free in the 18th but gave the ball away as soon as getting into the box. Struggled to put any real pressure on net. Could have gotten a head to a first-half cross for a goal but tried to play it with his foot instead and couldn’t get onto it.

Substitutions

MF/F, Julio Baptista (64′), 7 (MOTM) – Did well to draw the foul in the 71st minute to earn himself a free kick, which he buried bar down in beautiful style. On a night when the team didn’t distinguish itself, that’s just about good enough for MotM.

MF, Cristian Higuita (64′), 6 – Absolutely destroyed an attack in the 70th the way only he can.

MF, Tony Rocha (73′), 5.5 – Largely ineffective coming in late.

That’s the way I saw it. Don’t forget to vote for your Man of the Match below and tell us who you’d grade differently.

Polling Closed