D.C. United finally had the chance to enjoy some time off after a hectic six weeks and jetted down to Orlando City to play a group that was unbeaten in their last four. It was a hard effort but the Black and Red fell 1-0 on a rebound from a saved penalty kick involving one of the highest paid players in Major League Soccer. So let's rank the Eastern Conference leaders' individual performances, shall we?
Bill Hamid - 9.5
Going to credit Hamid's goaltending more than that Kaka on the penalty kick, about the only thing I can fault him for was the save back to Kaka for the goal, but honestly that's splitting hairs. Excellent work again in Duval (am I doing this right?) from the keeper.
Taylor Kemp - 4.5
Putting aside his foul on Pedro Ribeiro which was both clumsy AND a penalty, Kemp, who is normally supposed to be an offensive threat as an outside back, had a shambolic night both passing and crossing, with his accuracy being worse than only one other field player (Arrieta). You expect better from him. Hey, what's Kemar Lawrence doing?
Steve Birnbaum - 5.5
Led the team in clearances, but the one where he turned himself into a corkscrew (which eventually led to the goal) and another in the second half that went out for a corner were not his best moments on the night. Passing was OK, though his heading remains shaky. Kofi Opare would presumably start Wednesday, but will he start Sunday too?
Bobby Boswell - 6
Passing accuracy was second best on the night, got forward in moments of #WhiteRonaldo brilliance, defensive work was solid all around. Is the rug that ties the back four's room together as much as can be.
Chris Korb - 5.5
Had a shaky moment in back on a counter (to be fair he did get shoved in said back), but was all over the field tonight, passing accuracy was good, led the team in interceptions, one of his better games if we're being honest.
Nick DeLeon - 5.5
Good passing but didn't have a lot of touches, then he fell into the pattern of losing the ball in a advantageous position again like he does most times. Yeoman's work defending, but little else.
Perry Kitchen - 8
54 of 60 passing on the night if my math right. Highest completion percentage of any starter on the team, bossed Kaka on at least one occasion and aside from the latter being the PK taker/goal scorer, had little to do tonight. Please Perry, don't get hurt this summer.
Davy Arnaud - 5
Led the team in tackles, even if the yellow he drew was sketchy. But also gave up the ball in a couple of spots, but gave the team a kick in the pants with his late turnover/run back/recovery thing. Could have used that more and in other places, also going to presume Markus Halsti gets a spot start midweek.
Chris Rolfe - 5
Was kind of like DeLeon tonight, was also on the right side of midfield to presumably show veteran guile up against Brek Shea which was fine, but unimpressive. Offensively once he got about 25 yards out, treated the Orlando net like it was Kryptonite. Hit the wall?
Jairo Arrieta - 5
Committed the most fouls on the team tonight, albeit an inexplicable one on Aurelien Collin that robbed him of a second half breakaway (?) As a forward did little offensively, even his left footed shot was without any real "english" and other than that, meh.
Fabian Espindola - 5.5
Led the team in shots and corners were generally decent. Passing accuracy was good (or at least better than expected), though he had a couple of long range shots that did little for the Black and Red cause.
Miguel Aguilar (Sub) - 5.5
Came on for Arrieta in the 57th and served as an energy spark, running at defenders and creating chances. 10 out of 10 passing on the night in a half hour too! More appearances like that please.
Conor Doyle (Sub) - 5
Came on for DeLeon in the 74th, had two shots on target and came close to a couple of passes that were given up on by others on the field. Not too shabby.
Luis Silva (Sub) - 4.5
Came on for Rolfe in the 78th, had a nice shot but past that, made little pronouncement of himself on the field.
Man of the Match
Joint award with Hamid and Kitchen. Might as well savor them now while they're gone at Gold Cup duty for the United States. At least if there's a just and righteous God, that will happen.