Nashville SC dropped points for the third consecutive match, losing 3-1 to Orlando City SC.
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 – 6.9: None of the goals Willis conceded where his fault, and he actually had a decent outing between the posts despite the scoreline. On the third goal by Daryl Dike, he has to parry that save to the sidelines, as pushing a save in to the middle of the box is always asking for trouble.
Daniel Lovitz – 6: Not a great night for Lovitz, who was burnt down the sideline a few times, and seemed to be out of position when the second goal was conceded, letting Dike slip by him.
Walker Zimmerman – 6.2: Zimmerman put in another suboptimal performance, looking lost in the backline at times. Nashville fans will hope that this is just a short-term run of form for him.
Dave Romney – 7: Scored the opening goal on a great set piece where he timed his run well, but also was unsatisfactory marking in his own box. Still, he had some good clearances and continues to be Nashville’s most reliable defender.
Jalil Anibaba – 6.2: Did a decent job containing Nani in the first half, but was subbed off and did not see action in the second half.
Dax McCarty – 6.7: McCarty’s passing was really solid on this night, including setting up Randall Leal for a shot that drilled the post. Orlando’s pressing midfield did seem to fluster him a bit, however.
Anibal Godoy –6.5 : Like McCarty, Godoy was also pressed hard throughout the match and seemed to be smothered every time the ball was passed to him.
Abu Danladi – 7: Easily Nashville’s most potent threat on the offensive side for this match. He was clever on the dribble and played in a few good crosses, as well as cut in and made a few chances of his own. Don’t be surprised to see him get some more minutes moving forward.
Hany Mukhtar – 6: Was good on his set pieces, including the free kick that led to Romney’s header. Mukhtar, however, needs to be dependable enough to where he can play a full 90 instead of being subbed off.
Randall Leal – 6.5: Hit a shot off the post in the second half that would’ve been the equalizer. Have to believe his first goal is coming soon.
Daniel Rios – 6: Was the lone target man in the 4-4-2 formation on this night. Relatively quiet outing though, other than a chance from a Danladi cross he should have finished.
SUBS
Alistar Johnston – 6: Came on for Anibaba to offer potentially more offense. However, wasn’t able to provide the service from the flanks needed to spark the comeback.
Derrick Jones – 5.8: Jones slid in as a 10 before Godoy was subbed off, where he dropped back with McCarty at his more natural position, where he seemed to thrive more.
Dominique Badji – 6: Badji’s work rate had Orlando on their heels for a bit, as he was able to create a few late chances to try and make things interesting.
Alex Muyl – 6: It was Muyl’s first appearance for Nashville. He had a good chance on a header, but that was it.
David Accam – 5.8: Came on late in to the match to try and provide spoiler for Orlando, but by the time he came on the match was basically decided.
MANAGER
Gary Smith – 5.7: Smith implemented a 4-4-2 formation this match, with Rios the target main and Muhktar lurking in the middle for support. The formation worked some wonders in the first half, but Nashville was still on the back foot for most of the match. They had no real answer for Orlando’s pressure and speed on the flanks.
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!
