D.C. United 2-2 New York Red Bulls: Player Ratings

It was a battle between rivals that heralded back to earlier days of Major League soccer to some degree. D.C. United scored twice behind goals from Perry Kitchen, earning some payback for their loss last month to the New York Red Bulls. However, it was the goals the Red Bulls scored off set pieces that led to a draw and shared points between the rivals. So how do we think of what the boys in Black and Red did?

Bill Hamid - 6

I'll be the outlier and suggest that goal one could have been dealt better than goal two was. Past that, another five save performance, albeit an unspectacular one.

Taylor Kemp - 6

Served up the corner that led to the first goal. Also got caught flat footed by Lloyd Sam at least once (though did well to keep him quiet in the first half), and a late second half header back to Hamid seemed to be borne of miscommunication, was poorly executed and made for a nervy moment or two.

Bobby Boswell - 6.5

Bobby did a bit better than his partner this week, and was all over the field a lot. Lots of defensive work on the right side, and came up in attack more than I can recall seeing. Just going to call him #WhiteRooney and get it over with or something.

Kofi Opare - 6

Some regressing to the mean when it came to Opare this week, culminating in a noticeable lack of ups to get to the ball in the box that led to the first Red Bulls goal.

Sean Franklin - 5.5

Decent distribution, though a slight mindfreeze on his right side in front of goal again, though not as severe as last week, and passing accuracy was a bit down.

Chris Rolfe - 7

Good distribution, led the team in shots, provided the assist on the second goal, no missteps that I could recall. Seems like he'll be sneaky deadly when attackers get up to full speed.

Davy Arnaud - 5.5

Let his marks know early and often that they wouldn't get past him without a fight (or he would look foolish in trying, as he did in the first half in an attempt to dispossess Mike Grella). Distribution was generally off all night and looked like he was on vapors with 20 minutes left, and admittedly he lost Sam that led to the latter's rebound goal to tie the goal again.

Perry Kitchen - 7.5

Scored both goals, jumped up in the play that led to the second one, ditched his man (*cough Dax McCarty) that led to the first. Committed fouls hard and early on in the game to set the pace for the team in the middle to led Sam and BWP know it wasn't going to be easy. Had a turnover or two and an errant pass, but one of his better games and his best game this year so far. More please.

Michael Farfan - 6.5

First game as a starter in black and red, continued to impress from a passing accuracy standpoint, sprung a couple of chances in the first half, back tracked to the point where he was taking a center back spot when Boswell decided to go forward. Anyone else hope he's not the first one to get subbed off next week?

Chris Pontius - 5.5

Was involved all over the field, at times by necessity as he was surprisingly ineffective on the left side, and along with Rolfe interchanged a bit with Farfan through the game. The continuing education of the new Chris Pontius or something.

Jairo Arrieta - 5

Getting pretty much accustomed to the ceiling of Arrieta at this point. Seemed overwhelmed at times being marked by Damien Perrinelle, sliced a shot in the box (admittedly with his left foot) that would have been a sure goal. Jairo is what he is as this point.

Conor Doyle (Sub) - 5.5

Came on for Farfan, and maybe it was the shock of seeing Farfan come out but handled himself well, had a turnover late but was reconciled with easily (that I recall). Seemed to suffer from being put into a position that he may not have been accustomed to.

Luis Silva (Sub) - 6.5

Came on for Arrieta, almost did the damn thing again on a free kick if it wasn't headed clear. Also was the target of unnecessary Metro saltiness for a foul on (I believe Perrinelle). Is hopefully finding his legs so he can go a bit more next week.

Jared Jeffrey (Sub) - 5

Came on for Pontius in the 89th and did little of note or consequence.

Man of the Match

Kitchen not only for the goals but his play in back.