MLS Multiplex
Fansided

New York City FC Vs LAFC: Player ratings – Maxi Moralez shines

By Joshua Bowers

YANKEE STADIUM, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2019/03/17: James Sands (16) of NYCFC and Christian Ramirez (21) of LAFC fight for ball during MLS regular game on Yankee stadium Game ended in draw 2 - 2. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
YANKEE STADIUM, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2019/03/17: James Sands (16) of NYCFC and Christian Ramirez (21) of LAFC fight for ball during MLS regular game on Yankee stadium Game ended in draw 2 - 2. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
BRONX, NY – MARCH 10: Alexandru Mitrita #28 of New York City walks off the pitch after the 2019 Major League Soccer Home Opener match between New York City FC and DC United at Yankee Stadium on March 10, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York. The match ended in a tie with a score of 0 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY – MARCH 10: Alexandru Mitrita #28 of New York City walks off the pitch after the 2019 Major League Soccer Home Opener match between New York City FC and DC United at Yankee Stadium on March 10, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York. The match ended in a tie with a score of 0 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Attack

RW – Valentin Castellanos – 7

Valentin Castellanos played well after receiving the start against D.C. United. He played as the center-forward in that match but was pushed wide against LAFC. Castellanos is a versatile attacker and is capable of playing all along the front-line. I do wonder, though, if New York City FC would have been better served by playing Castellanos centrally and putting Moralez and Mitrita on the wings.

Last week, Castellanos showed his ability to get on to balls delivered into the box and combine with teammates. This match, he showed that he could deliver a decent ball into the box. Castellanos was successful on three of his five cross attempts. He had four key passes this match, which was second most on the team, behind only Moralez.

CF – Maxi Moralez – 8.5

Maxi Moralez returned to play center forward this week, after starting there in the season opener against Orlando City. He was much more effective this time. That is because he was given more freedom against LAFC to drift wide and drop back to get on the ball in different positions, while against Orlando City he was tasked with leading the line like a traditional striker (big mistake).

Moralez was New York City FC’s best player against LAFC. Not only did he have an assist, delivering a ball that released Mitrita in the first half, but he also had five key passes and put two of his three shots on target.

Moralez is capable of attacking from a  variety of positions. His assist to Mitrita came from quick combination play. He also delivered four crosses and was successful on six of seven long-passes.

LW – Alexandru Mitrita – 7.5

The goal in the first half displayed Alexandru Mitrita at his best. He broke down the left side with pace, took on multiple defenders, cut inside, and scored. He is very good on the ball and is a natural goalscorer.

However, Mitrita too often tries to do it all himself. He is selfish and does not connect well with teammates. For the second consecutive match, Mitrita finished with zero key passes. Not once against LAFC or D.C. United did Mitrita pass the ball into a goalscoring opportunity. Mitrita also took seven shots this week, five of which came from outside the box. He put only one of those seven shots on target. That shot resulted in a goal, and guess what? It was one of two shots that were taken inside the box.

Now, maybe the absence of a traditional striker makes Mitrita believe he needs to focus on goal himself. Still, this is beginning to become a trend, and it may be a problem for New York City FC. Mitrita is a talent, clearly. However, he needs to look for the best goalscoring opportunity for his team, not just himself.

Home/New York City FC