Nashville SC all but guaranteed a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs with a 1-0 victory against Montreal Impact.
Below are our player ratings.
Each member of the Speedway Soccer crew gives each player that saw the pitch a rating based on their match performance. Below is a quick guideline of our evaluation process.
- A rating of 6 denotes and average performance. Each player starts out with a 6 and their performance either adds or subtracts from that rating.
- Scores are determined after re-watching the match and looking at the stats, and are the averaged total of each Speedway member’s ratings.
Joe Willis – 7.0: Another performance from Willis where he didn’t have to do too much out of the ordinary, but that should be a testament to his backline performing so well. Willis did read some crosses well, which might be his best attribute as a keeper.
Daniel Lovitz – 8.3: Is Lovitz Nashville’s MVP so far? The left back not only provided some sizzling crosses, but also read and cut off a Montreal switch that killed their momentum from a long possession spell.
Dave Romney – 7.3: Had a clearance off the goalline that turned out to be a huge play at the final whistle, but also performed up to his normal standards of defending.
Walker Zimmerman – 7.5: Picked up a yellow, but also had some key clearances in the air, including a dangerous diving header near the end of the match.
Alistar Johnston – 6.8: Not a stellar performance from Johnston, who was caught out of position a few times and also was sloppy on the ball.
Anibal Godoy – 7.0: Sooner or later, Godoy will return to form. He did ping a few balls up to front line, and did hit a decent chance from distance early on.
Dax McCarty – 7.3: Reliable as ever with his service and command of the midfield, McCarty also has a case to be made for Nashville’s MVP this season.
Alex Muyl – 8.3: Excellent awareness by Muyl to take the free kick quickly to spring Leal free for his goal. Also had a few chances himself to try and bag a goal.
Randall Leal – 8.5: Speaking of the goal, Leal took the ball from Muyl perfectly and finished with ease in a 1-on-1 situation. He might be Nashville’s most dangerous attacking presence at this point.
Derrick Jones – 7.3: Jones was excellent in his holdup play, really showcasing his strength when he’s on the ball. He brings a different kind of brute force at the 10 spot.
Daniel Rios – 7.0: Rios seemed quite isolated up top at times. He made a few chances work, but overall couldn’t extend his run of games with a goal.
Subs
Abu Danladi – 6.5: Made some good runs to get behind the defense and provided a change of pace for Montreal’s defense to deal with.
Jhonder Cadiz – 6.8: Cadiz had a few chances to double the lead when he came on, but just couldn’t get his footing under him. With his first goal for the club already secured, the pressure is off some. A goal from him off the bench will never hurt though.
Brian Anunga – 6.7: Anunga is really coming into his own as a key rotation midfielder with McCarty and Godoy. He knows his role to hold up the midfield and provide smart passes, which does exceptionally.
Taylor Washington – 6.3: Another USL standout that has come on well, Washingtion was brought on to relieve Leal and provide a defensive presence.
Manager
Gary Smith – 8.3: Smith’s side holds it shape very well after they take a lead, but they also showed they can produce offensively in this match. He went all out with his lineup to try and secure a playoff bid, and with the results on Wednesday night, it paid off.
What say you? Do you agree or disagree with our match ratings? Feel free to reach out to us on Twitter and let us know your thoughts!
