Saturday afternoon’s 2-0 loss at Chivas USA erased the good vibes of two straight wins to start the season. New York did not look fluid at all in the attack and rarely threatened Zach Thornton in the Chivas USA goal. MLSsoccer.com gives its player ratings:
GK Bouna Coundoul
It is impossible to fault Coundoul for not playing the deflection on Chivas USA’s first goal, but his inability to quickly pounce on the rebound off the post was puzzling. The second goal on Padilla's laser was not his blunder, but that first goal was a clunker. Quick, someone give him a government rebate! Rating: 4
D Jeremy Hall
At times the right back moved into the attack well, including sending a nice cross from the flank to forward Juan Pablo Angel in the 63rd minute. He had difficulty in handling the Chivas USA overlap, though, and was burned by Padilla on the ball that led to the home team’s second goal. Rating: 4
D Mike Petke
A quiet afternoon for the veteran, which is never really a bad thing for a defender. He should have been in position to negate Padilla receiving the through pass for Chivas USA’s second goal, but hard to fault him as New York were pushing for the equalizer. Rating: 5.5
D Tim Ream
Can’t really be faulted on either goal. Stepped forward to break up some plays very well and once again showed outstanding distribution out the back. Another solid effort for the rookie. “You got Ream’d” could be a catchphrase MLS forwards should start getting used to. Rating: 6.5
D Roy Miller
Like his teammates, Miller seemed to have a quiet game. He was rarely beaten but he seemed content to sit back and not push forward into the attack—New York need him to overlap more. Rating: 5.5
M Dane Richards
A frustrating afternoon by the right mid, who got open just a handful of times but seemed to be lacking any modicum of zest or power on his passes and crosses. His second half shot is still somewhere in orbit over the Home Depot Center. Rating: 4.5
M Seth Stammler
Didn’t seem like Stammler was the logical choice to be the team’s first sub, but he nevertheless followed up a very good game at Seattle with a decent one against Chivas USA. He had no major gaffes that cost the team, but nothing stellar either. Rating: 5.5
M Joel Lindpere
It had been the Estonian midfielder who was the cog of the midfield in New York’s opening two wins to start the season, but Lindpere played deeper this time and it hurt the team’s attack. Rating: 5.5
M Sinisa Ubiparipovic
He worked hard and left it all out on the field but Ubiparipovic was largely a non-factor in the game. Like the rest of the team, he didn’t play badly but he rarely got the ball in positions where he could be dangerous. Rating: 5
F Juan Pablo Angel
The team’s leading scorer for the past two seasons looked anything but heaven sent. He was rarely dangerous, and not the Angel we’re used to seeing. Rating: 5
F Mac Kandji
Fresh off a game where he was the best part of the New York offense, Kandji disappeared for long stretches of the match. He showed little creativity on the ball or danger in front of goal. Rating: 4.5
Substitutions
F Salou Ibrahim
His MLS debut was far from a dream. Salou challenged for balls but won few, and didn’t show the same dazzle that he did in the friendly win over Santos several weeks back. Rating: 4.5
M Tony Tchani
In his first extended taste of league action, the rookie made some good plays and had some nice touches on the ball. Showed some promise, but a team pressing to score was not a good showcase to better grasp the midfielder’s potential. Rating: 5.5
F Conor Chinn
While he didn’t see a lot of the ball, Chinn showed good work rate and movement that are marks for hope down the road. Some promise to be sure. Rating: 5
