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

Orlando City ended a four-game winless run, defeating the New England Revolution 2-1 on the road. Martin Ojeda’s brace was the difference in this one as the Lions were able to hold onto their one-goal lead, something they were unable to do in the two previous matches. It’s a big three points as they look to climb back up the table.

Let’s take a look at the individual performances in this crucial win.

Starters

GK, Pedro Gallese, 6 — The shot stopper didn’t have a lot to do in this game since New England only put four shots on frame. He could’ve done better on the goal and was a little lucky that another shot hit the post. But Gallese made saves when he needed to, helping to get the win. He ended up saving three of the four shots he faced, giving up a goal. The goalkeeper had 34 touches, completing 54.2% of his 24 passes, including seven of his 18 long balls. It wasn’t his best game, but Gallese definitely helped claim all three points.

D, David Brekalo, 6.5 — Brekalo started at left back once again, touching the ball 51 times and completing 80% of his 30 passes, including seven of his nine long balls. He was strong defensively, recording a tackle, two interceptions, three clearances, and a blocked shot. The defender also had a shot in the attack that went off target.

D, Robin Jansson, 6 — Jansson had 44 touches in this game, completing 74.3% of his 35 passes, including six of his 12 long balls. Defensively, he recorded an interception, five clearances, and two blocked shots. The center back only went forward once before pulling back and came off with a slight knock for Kyle Smith in the second-half stoppage time.

D, Rodrigo Schlegel, 6 — Schlegel had 41 touches, completing 85.7% of his 28 passes, including one of his two long balls. He recorded a tackle and a team-high seven clearances with two blocked shots defensively. He stepped up to challenge Tomas Chancalay on the New England goal, but it was half-hearted defending, allowing the attacker to shoot at Gallese’s near post. But, overall, it was a strong performance by Schlegel.

D, Alex Freeman, 5.5 — Freeman had 47 touches from his right back position, connecting on 79.3% of his 29 passes, including a key pass. However, he didn’t convert on either of his long balls. He attempted one shot, sailing it well over the crossbar. Defensively, he added a tackle and three clearances. The 20-year-old looked a little lost defensively early in the second half, losing his man multiple times, including on the goal. That knocks his grade down a little in this one.

MF, Ivan Angulo, 6.5 — This was one of Angulo’s better games. He had 41 touches and completed 88.5% of his 26 passes, including two key passes and his lone long ball. He didn’t take any shots but made a great run in the 58th minute to beat his man, get into the box, and find Ojeda for the game-winning goal, earning himself an assist. Defensively, Angulo added four tackles and an interception while being a key contributor to the win. His game ended in second-half stoppage time when he came off for Rafael Santos in a defensive change.

MF, Cesar Araujo, 6 — Araujo touched the ball 47 times and completed 91.4% of his 35 passes, including two key passes, his only cross, and one of his two long balls. His only shot was off target, but he contributed defensively, adding a tackle and a clearance. It wasn’t a stellar game, but a solid one nonetheless.

MF, Eduard Atuesta, 6.5 — Atuesta was the better of the two defensive midfielders in this game, touching the ball 54 times and completing 78.6% of his 28 passes. He had three key passes and connected on one of his two long balls but none of his three crosses. However, it was his excellent long ball forward in the 18th minute that resulted in the opening goal by Ojeda. Neither of his two shots were on target, but he was active defensively, recording three tackles, an interception, and two clearances.

MF, Marco Pasalic, 6.5 — Pasalic had a strong performance, touching the ball 30 times and completing 73.7% of his 19 passes, including three of his five long balls. One of his three shots was on target, and he added an interception defensively. Pasalic’s impact on the game wasn’t all captured statistically as he dribbled at the Revs’ defense, causing problems for the back line and creating opportunities for his teammates. Pasalic was replaced by Zakaria Taifi in the 78th minute as Oscar Pareja looked to hold onto the one-goal lead.

F, Martin Ojeda, 7.5 (MotM) — Ojeda was without question the best player on the field in this game. He had 51 touches and completed 76.7% of his passes with a team-high four key passes. All three of his crosses and two of his three long balls found their targets. The attacker put four of his seven shots on target — both team highs — netting a brace. I’m sure it won’t surprise you that he’s my Man of the Match — and probably everyone else’s.

F, Luis Muriel, 5 — Muriel touched the ball 42 times in this game, completing 56.3% of his 32 passes with a key pass. He didn’t complete his lone cross but was successful on two of his three long balls and his only through ball. However, strikers are judged on goals and Muriel only had one off-target shot in this game. It was another one where you wonder where your Designated Player was when you needed him.

Substitutes

D, Zakaria Taifi (78′), 6 — Taifi was the first change in a surprise move, replacing Pasalic in the 78th minute. The 19-year-old touched the ball nine times and completed 85.7% of his seven passes, including his lone long ball. To his credit, Taifi sent a dangerous ball in from the right that was just beyond the reach of Muriel. Defensively he added a tackle in a game that should give the academy product some confidence moving forward.

D, Kyle Smith (90′ + 2), N/A — Smith came on for Jansson in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. He didn’t touch the ball in his few minutes on the field.

D, Rafael Santos (90′ + 4), N/A — Santos replaced Angulo in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, touching the ball once. It was a complete long ball and the only time he was noticed on the field in his short appearance.

That’s how I saw Orlando City’s 2-1 win over the New England Revolution. Let us know how you saw the game and don’t forget to vote for your Man of the Match.