Orlando City vs. New York City FC: Player Grades and Man of the Match

Orlando City gave up two costly points against New York City FC, allowing the visitors to score an equalizing goal with nearly the last kick of the ball. The 2-2 draw puts the Lions in a precarious position with two of the next three games on the road. Despite the disappointing result, some players still had good games.

Let’s take a look at the individual performances.

Starters

GK, Maxime Crepeau, 6.5 — While Crepeau didn’t have a perfect game, the Lions likely would’ve lost without his presence in goal. The entry ball in the 18th minute was just barely within reach of him getting a touch on, but he couldn’t change its trajectory and it allowed Alonso Martinez to tap in the opener. The second took a deflection and went through a lot of traffic in front of him, slipping inches inside his far post, so it can’t be blamed on him. He ended up touching the ball 35 times and completing 80.8% of his 26 passes, including four of his nine long balls. He saved four of NYCFC’s six shots on target and had multiple outstanding saves. If he’s able to gather the ball on the first goal, he probably gets my Man of the Match.

D, Vinicius Nogueira, 5.5 — The newly-aquired Brazilian defender had 32 touches in this game, completing 77.3% of his 22 passes, including one key pass and three of his five long balls. He technically had an assist on the second goal, flicking the ball behind him to Martin Ojeda. He didn’t have any defensive statistics, but he did win an aerial duel and put his only shot on target, although his free header went straight at the goalkeeper. It wasn’t a stellar game for the left back, but it wasn’t the worst performance either. He was replaced by Adrian Marin in the 71st minute.

D, Iago, 5 — With Robin Jansson injured, Iago got the start at center back alongside David Brekalo. Iago finished with 50 touches and completed 95.1% of his 41 passes. His six clearances tied David Brekalo for the team lead and he added one blocked shot. He didn’t get forward much on the attacking end, taking one dribble and not taking any shots. He was replaced by Zakaria Taifi in the 71st minute after getting beaten one time too many and picking up a yellow card.

D, David Brekalo, 5.5 — Brekalo was in his regular center back position, touching the ball a team-high 59 times. He completed 86.3% of his 51 passes, but none of his four long balls. The Slovenian tied Iago with a team-high six clearances and won two aerial duels. He also didn’t have any shots in this game. Unfortunately, Brekalo’s most impactful play was losing Talles Magno, forcing Wilder Cartagena to lunge in and concede a penalty. He got lucky that Magno went on to miss the target, or his grade might have been lower.

D, Ivan Angulo, 6 — Angulo continued his run of playing on the back line, starting on the right side. He touched the ball 58 times, second only to Brekalo and Eduard Atuesta. The Colombian completed 89.2% of his 37 passes, including a key pass, two of his three crosses, and two of his four long balls. Defensively, he recorded a team-high four tackles and one clearance. The cross in for the first goal came in from Angulo’s side, and he gave the ball away in his own half multiple times in his defensive half in the opening 45 minutes. He was also beaten badly down the left side on the play that set up the second NYCFC goal, but as a winger on team that had healthy fullback options on the bench, he shouldn’t be put in position to have to defend so much.

MF, Eduard Atuesta, 6 — Starting in the central midfield, Atuesta tied Brekalo with 59 touches. He completed 84.8% of his 46 passes but none of his three long balls nor his one cross. However, he did record one key pass. The defensive midfielder attempted two shots with both going off target. Defensively, he added a tackle in what was a solid game.

MF, Wilder Cartagena, 5.5 — One of the other regular defensive midfielders, Cartagena touched the ball 52 times and completed 87.5% of his 40 passes, including three of his four long balls. Defensively, Cartagena added a tackle, an interception, and three clearances. When Brekalo lost Magno in the 78th minute, it was Cartagena’s lunge that caused Magno to go down, forcing referee Elijio Arreguin to point to the spot. Fortunately, Magno missed the penalty. He had a solid performance other than conceding the penalty, even if that wasn’t all his fault.

MF, Braian Ojeda, 6 — This was Ojeda’s first start since Aug. 1 as he returns from an injury and his first time playing over 20 minutes. The Paraguayan midfielder had 20 touches while completing all of his 18 passes, including both long balls. His only shot was off target and he won one aerial duel. In the 32nd minute, his beautiful cross-field ball to Martin Ojeda was the start of an attack that resulted in Antoine Griezmann’s equalizing goal. He came off at halftime for Joran Gerbet in a move that was solely based on minutes.

MF, Justin Ellis, 6 — This game saw Ellis start for the first time since the international break when he suffered a minor injury against Canada. Again on the right, Ellis recorded 28 touches and completed 94.7% of his 19 passes, including a key pass but not his only long ball. Both of his shots were off target and he recorded one dribble. Despite being an attacker, Ellis contributed defensively with a clearance before being replaced by Marco Pasaslic in the 60th minute.

F, Martin Ojeda, 7 (MotM) — The club’s all-time leading goal scorer had 38 touches and completed 86.2% of his 29 passes, including three key passes and one of his three crosses. He put one of his two shots on target, netting the go-ahead goal in the 49th minute. The attacker sent a beautiful cross from the left to Griezmann in the 32nd minute, adding an assist to his game. Overall, it was a stellar performance that ended in the 83rd minute when he was replaced by Daryl Dike. His performance earns him my Man of the Match.

F, Antoine Griezmann, 6.5 — Griezmann had another strong performance in this game, touching the ball 33 times and completing 71.4% of his 21 passes, including a key pass and one of his three crosses. He put two shots on target, both headers. The first, from an Angulo cross, was right at NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese, and the second was his 32nd-minute goal. In addition to his shots, Griezmann recorded a dribble, two tackles, an aerial duel won, and a clearance.

Substitutes

MF, Joran Gerbet (46’), 5.5 — Gerbet entered the game at halftime for Braian Ojeda, touching the ball 25 times and completing all 19 of his passes. He drew two fouls, recorded a tackle, and made an interception. The French midfielder didn’t take any shots or record any other stats in his 45 minutes of action.

MF, Marco Pasalic (60’), 5 — A regular substitute, Pasalic replaced Ellis in the 60th minute. He touched the ball just five times in that half hour, completing two of his three passes. He didn’t take any shots or record any defensive statistics in his otherwise forgettable appearance.

D, Adrian Marin (71’), 5 — Marin entered the contest in the 71st minute for Nogueira but took over Iago’s spot at center back while Zakaria Taifi played right back and Angulo moved over the left back. The Spanish defender recorded just five touches in those 19 minutes, completing two of his four passes. He didn’t take any shots and his only defensive statistic was a clearance.

D, Zakaria Taifi (71’), 5 — During the same stoppage that saw Marin come on, Taifi replaced Iago and took over at right back. In his 19 minutes, the academy product only had three touches and completed his two passes. He didn’t record any other statistics, including shots or anything defensively.

F, Daryl Dike (83’), 5.5 — The last substitution of the game, Dike entered in the 83rd minute for Martin Ojeda. The striker completed one of his two passes and did well to hold up the ball, something he’s struggled with this year. But he wasn’t able to do anything else in his short appearance.

That’s how I viewed the individual performances in what looked to be a big win and turned into a devastating draw. Let us know how you saw the game in the comments and don’t forget to vote on your Man of the Match below.