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: American
- Age: 24
- Date of birth: 24/07/1995
- Current Club: Colorado Rapids
- Career: FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Secondary Position: Right Back
- Preferred foot: Right
Kellyn Acosta faded in and out of the game against San Jose, showing glimpses of his ability but also failing to have a lasting impact. Playing as a fairly advanced central midfielder in this match, Acosta’s close control was key to most of the success he had, bringing the ball under his spell before linking up his team’s play in the centre of the park. The American international dictated the tempo of his side’s passing well at stages, helping them to progress up the pitch. He took up some dangerous positions in between the lines and also made some passes that threatened to create good opportunities, yet he was also guilty of hitting some wayward free kicks and crosses. His quick feet allowed him to turn his opponent well once or twice but he rarely had many forward options when he lifted his head.
Defensively, Acosta overcommitted on occasion but also tracked runners adequately and the 5’10” midfielder used his body well in duels, making some important interventions and tackles. Such was his importance to his side’s creativity, he was tightly marked for a large portion of the second half which somewhat stifled his ability to influence proceedings.
On the whole, Acosta was one of the better performer’s for his team as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat.
Rating: B1
Player profile:
- Nationality: American
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 04/06/1997
- Current Club: Colorado Rapids
- Career: Chicago Fire (Y), Bradford City, Farsley Cletic (L), NYCFC, Louisville City (L), Colorado Rapids
- Position: Left Wing
- Secondary Position: Right Wing
- Preferred foot: Left
Lewis had a frustrating game on the left wing for Colorado, rarely managing to get on the ball or threaten the San Jose goal. Lewis’ first touch let him down once or twice and his passing and end product were inconsistent. He did make some decent passes and used good skill at times to turn his man, which allowed him to use his high level of pace to get away. The winger got to the by-line on a couple of occasions to make a few dangerous cuts backs or crosses that failed to find a teammate. Aside from this, he wasn’t able to cause any real problems for the opposition defence.
When out of possession, Lewis regularly failed to track the full back, leaving his team exposed down the left hand side as San Jose created overloads. The American was weak in the tackle and was brushed off the ball on several occasions, but he did press well at times and made some good interceptions high up the pitch. Overall, Lewis had a mixed game in which he and his team failed to really impress.
Rating: C
Player profile:
- Nationality: American
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 31/05/1999
- Current Club: Colorado Rapids
- Career: Charlotte Independence, Colorado Rapids
- Position: Left Back
- Preferred foot: Left
Playing as the left back behind Jonathan Lewis, Sam Vines had a difficult game against San Jose. The young American was often left exposed to 2v1 situations against the opposition winger and full back and as a result struggled throughout. He tracked the winger well the majority of the time and used a good burst of pace to make a couple of good tackles, using his body well to get in between man and ball. However, the 5’10” defender struggled with the overload, allowing too many crosses to be delivered and getting sucked inside too easily by the run of the winger, therefore, allowing the full back space to run into. The 20 year old was too indecisive or tentative when defending at times which put him on the back foot.
When his team was in possession, Vines rarely ventured forward from left back and his passing was solid yet not progressive. On the one occasion that he did get forward, Vines made a good run and put in a decent delivery but was unfortunate to be caught offside.
In summary, it was a tricky day at the office for Vines who was regularly left exposed defensively, but the left back struggled to deal with the San Jose right back and winger and offered very little going forward.
Rating: D