Nashville SC had to erase a two-goal deficit for the second week in a row, drawing 2-2 against CF Montreal Saturday.
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 for our evaluation process.
- A rating of 6 denotes an 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 – 5.5: It’s the second week in a row that Willis has conceded two goals. To be fair to him though, this week’s goals were really hard asks to try and stop. One was a perfectly placed shot in the top corner, while the other was off a deflection while Willis was heading in the opposite direction. Better days are ahead for the Nashville keeper.
Daniel Lovitz – 7: Had a wonderful low cross to Cadiz early on in the match that was missed. He and Leal have the potential to be the most dangerous left-side pairing in the league.
Dave Romney – 7.5: Unfortunate that Romney was the recipient of the deflection that resulted in Montreal’s second goal, as he’s trying to get out of the way there. Did have a header from a late corner that could’ve been the game-winner for Nashville that went off the post.
Walker Zimmerman – 6.5: Zimmerman didn’t do a great job closing down Mason Toye on his opener, and should’ve recognized he’s capable of creating such a chance based on the first couple of matches. He did provide a fantastic ball to Leal to set up the first goal, however.
Alistar Johnston – 6.3: Johnston’s cross helped set up Mukhtar’s equalizer. We clamor about the left side of Nashville’s attack, but Johnston is still as capable of delivering those crosses into the box.
Dax McCarty – 7: A good bounce-back performance from McCarty, who connected on passes well and charged up the field with the ball on a few occasions.
Anibal Godoy – 6.5: Played well, but was withdrawn due to picking up a yellow card and some fatigue, according to Smith in his presser.
Handwalla Bwana – 6.5: Smith’s lone change in the 11 from last week was a right-winger swap. Bwana was dynamic in his runs and crossing but was eventually replaced by Muyl at the half for experience purposes.
Hany Mukhtar – 8.3: Mukhtar had an absolute sitter he scuffed in the first half, but the finish for his equalizer was exceptional. Low and through traffic, it was just what Nashville needed to rescue their point.
Randall Leal – 8.5: Another week of an exceptional performance from Leal, which an argument can be made he was Man of the Match. All of Nashville’s positive attacking play came as a result of his runs on the ball, and he provided the cross to Cadiz to start the comeback.
Jhonder Cadiz – 8: Off to a slow start with a couple of missed chances early in the match, Cadiz redeemed himself with a strong back post-run that resulted in a header for his second goal in as many games. His holdup play, while exceptional on the day, needs to be on par with his finishing, which can be suspect from what we’ve seen early on so far.
SUBS
Alex Muyl – 7: Provided a presence in the box for crosses after coming, getting on the end of a header, and making some back post runs for Leal. Did have a header from a deflection on the counter that was cleared off the line too.
CJ Sapong – 6.3: Sapong was the one who got on the end of Johnston’s cross that fell to Mukhtar for the equalizer, and he once again was on the end of a few Nashville attacks that could’ve resulted in a game-winner. but just couldn’t create anything menacing..
Brian Anunga – 6.5: Called into action in relief of Godoy, Anunga did his job well in being that midfield pivot while Nashville searched for its game-winner.
Luke Haakenson – 5.7: Came on late in stoppage time and didn’t have enough time to make a difference, but good to see the youngster get some minutes in.
Dylan Nealis – 5.7: Another young product for Nashville who came on late, Nealis could be an important piece moving forward in midfield depth.
MANAGER
Gary Smith – 6.8: Smith’s side once again buried itself early and had to claw back into the match. It’s evident that the attacking prowess is there, as the side has managed 49 shots in two matches. However, for a side that prides itself on defensive excellence, they will need to stop conceding early goals, which Smith knows.
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!
