Ratings
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average, don’t follow up
Player profile:
- Nationality: Ecuadorian
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 26/04/1997
- Current Club: Orlando City
- Career: Norte América (Y), Independiente DV, Cultural Leonesa (L), Orlando City
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Secondary position: Central Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
Playing as a central midfielder for Orlando City, Méndez put in a mixed, yet promising performance as his side slipped to a 4-1 defeat. The Ecuadorian, who wears the number 8 for Orlando, displayed a decent passing range and seemed composed and confident in possession. He linked up well with his teammates at stages, showing that he is capable of dictating the tempo for periods of the game, and shifted the ball quickly when he had the opportunity. To improve this aspect of this game he needs to be willing to take more risks and make more progressive passes, which he was capable of doing yet failed to execute often enough.
The midfielder was also able to make some positive tackles at times, however, he did have a tendency to overcommit, leaving his side exposed, as well as picking up a yellow card for a rash challenge. Defensively, he struggled to track runners at times, seeming to be lethargic when tracking back and not using his strength enough in a couple of shoulder to shoulder battles. In terms of his physicality, Mendez is quite short but well built, making him fairly stocky in stature.
Overall, Mendez displayed some glimpses of what he could be capable of, but his defensive output and lack of creativity let him down.
Rating: B2
Player profile:
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Age: 24
- Date of birth: 29/05/1995
- Current Club: Orlando City
- Career: Barra da Tijuca, Maduereira (L), Boa (L), Internacional (L), Ponte Preta (L), Orlando City
- Position: Right Back
- Preferred foot: Right
Similarly to Mendez, Ruan had an up and down game. The 5’8 24 year old has a great burst of pace and top speed, making him a threat down the right hand side of the field. He made some solid passes and dribbled with confidence as well as making several marauding overlapping runs to provide his teams width. His final delivery was consistently to a good standard, finding dangerous areas for the strikers to attack the ball and Ruan showed some nice creative link up play. This attacking display was impressive, but he needed to be more consistent defensively to make this an all round solid performance.
Sometimes he stood up the winger well and showed them away from goal, whilst on other occasions he was beaten far too easily by his opposite number. Furthermore, his awareness and concentration was questionable, especially for New England’s second goal where he was exposed for ball watching and allowed the forward to nip in ahead of him. Moreover, as a result of his constant charges up the pitch, the Brazilian regularly left the right central defender completely exposed to the counter attack.
This was an intriguing display from Ruan who could come good providing he is able to improve upon some parts of the defensive side of his game from what he showed in this match.
Rating: B2
Player profile:
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 12/01/1998
- Current Club: Orlando City
- Career: Sporting CP (Y), Los Angeles FC, Orlando City
- Position: Left Back
- Secondary position: Central Defender
- Preferred foot: Left
Joao Moutinho had a underwhelming performance for Orlando before being substituted at half time. In possession he was solid, making some good passes and demonstrating a consistently good first touch. The 6’1 defender used his strength and height well at times to retain the ball but lacked pace which caused him many problems on the day. Moutinho was either too static when defending, failing to close down the wide player, or was too reckless and overcommitted which lead to him being beaten several times.
Based on this display he did not seem comfortable at left back and it would be interesting to see him as a central defender as that would probably suit his style of play better.
Rating: C
Player profile:
- Nationality: Canadian
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 16/05/1997
- Current Club: Orlando City
- Career: K-W United, Reading United, Orlando City
- Position: Central Defender
- Secondary position: Left Back
- Preferred foot: Left
Miller replaced Moutinho at half time and slotted in at left back for the second half of this match and was for the most part solid. One of his clear qualities is his physique, at over 6 foot and of a very strong stature, the Canadian also displayed a good burst of acceleration. He made some clean tackles and seemed relatively confident in possession. His final ball and long passing left room for improvement and he overcomitted on occasion but also seemed positive driving down the left wing.
Overall it was a promising yet unspectacular second half performance from Miller and it would be good to see him again.
Rating: B2