Over The Hump & Player Ratings

No excuses this past weekend down at RB Arena. Unlike at Foxborough, Impact played throughout the game with eleven, and Ignacio Piatti wasn’t missing from the line-up.

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But again, the side came up short, over-run in the second-half by a superior and pacier Red Bulls, coming off the back of their disappointing loss to Chivas in Champions League play.

Twitter was full of disgruntled activity from frustrated IMFC fans post-match, but perhaps it’s time to take a step back, appreciate the huge amount of change that’s been sweeping through Stade Saputo, and relax a little. Remi’s Revolution was never going to be completed after 6 MLS matches.

Still, there were enough poor performances to give rise to concern. Impact looked off the pace in the early stages and throughout the second-half. Their players were second to almost every ball, while a feature of the 90 mins was how often the Red Bulls attackers managed to get behind Montreal’s back-line. The visitors passing was at times diabolical, and combined with those other weaknesses highlighted, made for a shambolic-looking outing for the Quebecers.

Red Bulls on the other hand, had too much energy and pace. It was a difficult day for Montreal’s two newest recruits, Silva and Camacho, and the forced withdrawal of Rod Fanni, another who looked less comfortable than in recent outings, didn’t help.

Back to the drawing board, I’m afraid …

Player ratings and comment, as I saw it . . . .

Evan Bush – 6.5/10 –Probably Montreal’s best player. Made important stops, and really had no chance with any of the goals conceded, although could be argued he should have been quicker off his line for the second RB goal.

Chris Duvall – 6/10 –Did ok in the first half, finding the time to get forward as well as defend. Played a lovely chipped through ball to set up Vargas from open play, but the diminutive striker produced a weak finish.

Victor Cabrera – 5/10 –Carried on from previous week by giving up possession that led to the opening goal. Got better as the game progressed, but still not a commanding performance.

Rod Fanni – 5/10 –Left the action injured during the period when Montreal seemed to be gaining a foothold on the game. Had looked less accomplished than we’d become accustomed to seeing, in the early stages, in the face of some slick Red Bulls attacks.

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Rudy Camacho – 4.5/10 –A baptism of fire. Struggled, looked off the pace and possibly lacking match fitness. Never looked in control and didn’t inspire confidence. First game though, and things hopefully should improve.

Jukka Raitala – 5/10 –Finally played his natural position, however contributed too many errors.

Samuel Piette – 5/10 –Hard to perform without adequate support. Sam struggled after a decent opening. Can’t do it all. His performance a victim of things that went wrong elsewhere in the system.

Alejandro Silva – 4.5/10 –Poor. Fairly anonymous to be blunt. No real understanding yet between the player and his new team-mates. It’s going to take time.

Ken Krolicki – 4.5/10 –Kept trying to do the things he’s been doing all season long in a midfield that was overwhelmed by the opposition. Needs to get stronger physically.

Jeisson Vargas – 5.5/10 – The goal, magnificently executed, was most of his performance. Finished weakly earlier when he should have scored. Needs to contribute more, then again needs more service too.

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Ignacio Piatti – 5/10– Nacho had some good moments during the first half, once when ghosting past two defenders on the stroke of half-time and setting up an opportunity which would have seen Impact lead at the interval. Made no real contribution in a poor second-half.

Subs

Daniel Lovitz– 5/10 - A difficult afternoon after replacing injured Rod Fanni. Early season form has disappeared. Struggled defensively against the robust and swift opposition.

Louis Beland-Goyette – 5/10 – Introduced for the second week running with the team struggling to compete. Difficult to turn the tide in this situation. Credit for commitment and effort but was never going to make the difference on this afternoon.