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Overwhelming Relief
Well then. That was something, now wasn't it? If you're looking for high-octane end-to-end
stuff, this was the place to be. If you're looking for lots of shots, this was the venue. If you
were looking for improvement, this was certainly a good place to start.
Three points? A clean sheet? At the Bridge? What the hell?
Rebounding (Latent NBA Reference)
Well, that was certainly nice to see now wasn't it? After almost a month and change of suspect
performances, last-minute defensive lapses, and whimsical finishing that made us all shudder, we
put in a comprehensive 90-minute shift that should quell a few of the naysayers.
Absolutely pathetic.
Dothraki Ballack
Miserable stuff. Just terrible across the board. It seems to go from bad to worse every day
around these parts, and if you're looking for excuses I'm fresh out. There really isn't any excuse
that would work though, it's just a damn fact that our squad are playing like a pub team.
(Photo: Earl Gardner)
On Wednesday, we took a look at who should be protected in the 2011 Expansion Draft by the
Philadelphia Union based on the player ratings we do after each game. We now look at who earned Man
of the Match—the highest rated player in each game— honors in 2011.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
After every Union match, The Philly Soccer Page publishes its exclusive player ratings. Moments
later, our wonderful readers follow up with expansive debate.
With the expansion draft looming, let's see if the PSP's ratings can predict who the Union will
and should protect.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Soccer's tactical development over the past two decades unfurls, ironically, as a seemingly
endless battle for the part of the field furthest from the goals. When Inter Milan wanted
championships, they imported Jose Mourinho to teach the team how to play defense further up the
pitch.
Looks like there's a new player in the analyzing-US-National-Team-player-ratings game. They may
be three years late, but we'd like to welcome the New York Times Goal blog to the party! What took
you so long, boys?
NYT's John Godfrey seems to be taking the approach outlined in our post from 2008.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
So, what the hell was that line up?
I can't believe I have to phrase it that way. I mean, it is really hard to be that
surprised by the starting XI in a season where the starting XI has been a surprise almost every
match. But not only did Peter Nowak start Stefani Miglioranzi, who has played a total of 19 minutes
since September 17, he started him as a center back in a system we've yet to see the Union use all
season.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the
New England Revolution's 2-2 draw with Toronto FC.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the New
England Revolution's 3-0 loss to the Columbus Crew on Saturday.
Well, two years later and here we are again. Although instead of being relieved of making the
playoffs, we are dreading it this time around. Portugal definitely limped (literally) to the
finish line of this Euro 2012 Qualifying campaign, but there appears to be one more final
stretch.
Player Ratings
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Photo: Courtesy of Philadelphia Union
Perhaps the Seattle media wanted to avoid talking about the unexpected beat down their local
boys had just taken. Why else would the first question for Peter Nowak post-game be, "What has
changed here since last your team visited?"
Nowak responded, "The results change and that's more important to us than anything that's
changed since last time we were here.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the
New England Revolution's 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Cruise-control mode. Danny and Frank made sure of that. More after the jump.
Vindicated
Well that was sweet now wasn't it? This was a display a long time in the making, and at last the
Blues put together their most complete performance under Andre Villas-Boas.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the
New England Revolution's 2-1 loss to Seattle on Saturday.
It ends a draw in Spain. It shouldn't have. Not by a long-shot. More, after the jump:
"Fernando, meet the pitch. You'll be spending loads of time down here tonight..."
Well, that was about as bad as you can play over a 10 minute stretch now isn't it? After bossing
the majority of the match, taking the lead behind a peach of a Frank Lampard strike from just
outside the box, Villas Boas got it all wrong with his substitutions and ultimately cost us a
win.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the
New England Revolution's 3-2 loss to the Chicago Fire on Sunday.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
After starting the season with a conservative lineup and a string of low scoring but
positive-outcome affairs, Peter Nowak threw caution to the wind following a disappointing scoreless
tie against Kansas City in late June. In the next match, against Chivas USA, Brian Carroll was the
only thing vaguely resembling a defensive presence in front of the back four.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the New
England Revolution's 3-0 loss in Portland on Friday.
Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at Bundesliga champions Dortmund. Van Persie scored the goal and
received a 9/10 from the Mirror Player Ratings. New signings Arteta and Benayoun were fairly
anonymous. Walcott picked up an assist in an ... Continue reading →
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the
New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average,
10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the New England
Revolution's 2-0 victory over FC Dallas.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
As far as first starts go it was not what Zac MacMath would have wanted, but it was certainly
not a contest he will forget anytime soon. The rookie goalkeeper will fondly remember the night the
Union stormed back from 4-1 down in the second half to earn a gritty point.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the
New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average,
10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the New England
Revolution's 4-4 draw at the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the United States National Team players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Julian Cardillo and Sean Donahue contributed ratings for the
USA's 1-0 friendly loss to Belgium.
England 1-0 Wales player ratings (look away now, Earnie)
Good night for Young, Downing and Cahill, bad night for Ledley and Wales sub
View the full story here: The Mirror
A news article on 2011-09-06 21:56:13 from: The Mirror
This news item has been reproduced from today's media.
Justin Mapp was active, involved and positive. Sebastien Le Toux scored a fine open-play goal.
Zac MacMath played 45 minutes of shutout ball and saved a breakaway.
And the Union still lost.
No shots, but who to blame?
An indifferent opening half-hour turned into a desperate chase for a tying goal.
Photo: Nicolae Stoian
Slowly but surely, Columbus has pulled themselves up the Eastern Conference ladder. Even as
their top two strikers suffered injuries and the rest of their lineup rotated in and out of favor,
the Crew scraped points together.
And when Philadelphia faltered, nobody was left to deny the Crew their place atop the East.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the New
England Revolution's 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the
New England Revolution's 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday.
photo by Daniel Gajdamowicz
player ratings contributed by Mikey Cann
As with all seasons, we must learn to take the bad with the good. The downs with the ups. The
late losses with the late wi... ties.
The Freddy Adu signing with the Freddy Adu performance.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue contributed ratings for the Revs 3-1 loss to the
Columbus Crew.
After the match, John Hackworth said, "I would get worried if we weren't creating those chances,
but we are."
For the Union, the chances have been there all season. The problem, of course, is finishing
them.
More than poor shooting
And it is not just a matter of getting shots on net.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the
Revs 3-2 loss to Chivas USA.
PL W D L GS GC8 5 1 2 20 12
Benny - "Look Luka, you can win trophies at Spurs!"
Tottenham lift the Vodacom Challege Trophy(* denotes Spurs XI side)
Kaizer Chiefs (Away) 1-0 LossTypical Spurs, overwhelming favourites, match all but dominated, opposition goalkeeper having a
blinder, late goal conceded.
PL W D L GS GC8 5 1 2 20 12
Benny - "Look Luka, you can win trophies at Spurs!"
Tottenham lift the Vodacom Challege Trophy(* denotes Spurs XI side)
Kaizer Chiefs (Away) 1-0 LossTypical Spurs, overwhelming favourites, match all but dominated, opposition goalkeeper having a
blinder, late goal conceded.
Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz
Soccer being a team sport, player ratings have the inherent flaw of isolating an individual out
of eleven interconnected pieces.
John Hackworth said as much after the match when he spoke of the Farfans struggling to get
forward as a symptom of the team's early issues with shape and possession.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
The Philadelphia Union's 2–1 loss at home on Friday night was overshadowed by Peter Nowak's
post-game comments.
And that is probably a good thing.
Scenes of 2010
The team that was so impressive in two international friendlies failed to show up on Friday
night.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the
Revs 1-1 draw with Kansas City.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the
Revs 2-2 draw with Colorado.
After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of
the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5
average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the
Revs 1-0 win at D.
