New York City FC Vs LAFC: Player ratings – Maxi Moralez shines
RB – Anton Tinnerholm – 5
Anton Tinnerholm did not have his best match. New York City FC’s full-backs pushed high against LAFC (as they do at home), and was not a large part of the defensive effort. He was able to get forward but did not create anything substantial. Tinnerholm finished the match with no key passes. He had one interception, one clearance, and committed two fouls.
CB – Maxime Chanot – 7
Maxime Chanot was great for 95% of this match. He was excellent at stopping attacks, distributed well, and even got his head to a couple of balls in the box on set pieces (although he could not get either on goal). Chanot absolutely shut down Diego Rossi on the right-hand side of the defense and rendered him completely unproductive. He was also the only player on NYCFC capable of dealing with Adama Diomande.
Unfortunately, Chanot is solely and egregiously responsible for LAFC’s first goal. He passed the ball right to Latiff Blessing in New York City FC’s half. Then immediately dropped back, which inconveniently played Carlos Vela onside on the right flank.
Chanot had three tackles, along with two interceptions and four clearances. NYCFC committed 19 fouls, but Chanot was only responsible for one of those. 88.3% of Chanot’s 60 passes were completed. This was almost the perfect performance.
CB – Alexander Callens – 5.5
Alexander Callens has thus far played second-fiddle to Maxime Chanot, and that continued this week. Callens is still an above-average starting center-back in MLS, though. He had the difficult task of playing on the left-side of defense, facing Carlos Vela. Vela ended up having five key passes and took six shots, three of which were on target. Furthermore, Ben Sweat only committed the foul on Blessing that led to the penalty because Callens first failed to clear the ball.
Overall, Callens did do his job adequately, though. Vela’s first goal was not his fault and his other was outside of open play. Callens had two interceptions and four clearances, though no tackles.
LB – Ronald Matarrita – 7.5
This was Ronald Matarrita’s first start of the season. He was one of the highlights of the team. Matarrita started at left-back but was moved to central midfield when Ben Sweat came on early in the second half. Even while playing left-back, Matarrita played as a member of the midfield.
Matarrita is a very good two-way player. In the first half, playing a bit wider, he was able to get forward to put crosses into the box. Last week, I commented that NYCFC attempted only in-swinging crosses. Matarrita, meanwhile, delivers traditional out-swinging crosses with his left foot from the left side. Matarrita did not connect on any of his five crosses, but the threat alone gives the opposing defense something else to consider.
Matarrita was excellent on the defensive end. He finished with a game-high seven tackles, while adding three interceptions and a blocked shot. Again, NYCFC pushed their full-backs very high, so Matarrita basically plays as an additional midfielder. That allows him to confront attacks early and help the team keep possession.
Despite being subbed off late in the match, Matarrita led New York City FC with 88 touches. Ebenezer Ofori was not very effective in the first half, but Matarrita was integral in the same role in the second half. I would not be surprised if Matarrita continues to start either at left-back or in the midfield following this match.