Anyone else got a case of deja vu? Nashville SC and FC Dallas played their second match against each other four days later after their first clash that resulted in a 1-0 Nashville victory. This time, the two teams played to a 0-0 draw.
Below are our player ratings for the match.
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: Willis wasn’t as active as his first outing in Dallas, but he does record his second consecutive clean sheet.
Daniel Lovitz – 7.2: Lovitz looked like he was asked to make more runs up the flank and provide a more attacking presence.
Walker Zimmerman and Dave Romney –7.2 : Both center backs were once again, good. #analysis. How good?
Jalil Anibaba – 6.8: Anibaba was able to isolate most of the Dallas attack from his side. Look for him to once again start at left back moving forward considering Nashville’s struggles in that area.
Dax McCarty – 7.3: McCarty was his usual hard-working self winning balls and distributing in the middle of the park. He did pick up a yellow card, however.
Anibal Godoy – 7.7: There’s a legit argument to be made that the Godoy-McCarty pairing is one of the best in the league. We’ll see if they can continue this high level of play in the middle.
Alistar Johnston –7.5 : We mentioned Johnston could crack the starting lineup soon after his showing in the last match, and he justified our belief in him. Johnston not only had some serious wheels on the flanks, but also served in some exceptional crosses. His performance landed him Man of the Match honors voted by the fans on Nashville SC’s Twitter.
Hany Muhktar –7.2 : Muhktar was fantastic in the first half, whipping in a free kick that was inches away and connecting well on an opener header from Johnston’s cross. However, his production slipped when he was forced out wide.
Randall Leal –7.2 : Leal continues the hunt for his first goal, leading the way in total shots for Nashville with seven. He’s got some serious sizzle on those, so one has to slip through eventually.
Dominique Badji – 7.2: Badji’s work effort and pace really had the Dallas backline uncomfortable. He also got a good look on a header from McCarthy cross in the first half, and also had a shot hit off the post. If he continues with that work rate, he’ll have a vicegrip on that starting role moving forward.
SUBS
Taylor Washington – 6.2: Washington saw his first action since March, but didn’t really do too much to change the outcome of the match.
Abu Danladi – 6: Like Washington, wasn’t much of a factor when he was brought on.
Derrick Jones – 6: Jones came on to once again serve as a number 10, but was unable to provide any service that led to true opportunities
David Accam –6.7: No late-match heroics from Accam this go-around, but he is proving his value as a sub being brought on against tired legs. He also had a pretty ambitious effort from 60 yards that was just wide.
MANAGER
Gary Smith – 6.3: Smith’s side had arguably its most impressive showing in the first half. However, the group’s productivity seemed to take a dip after the first wave of subs came in, which forced Hany Muhktar out wide. Smith’s defensive prowess continues to shine, but the subs that slowed down the offensive productivity will raise some eyebrows.
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!
