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D.C. United 2-0 Columbus Crew: Player Ratings

Bring on the numbering system!

By Ryan Keefer
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

D.C. United faced a Columbus Crew SC team who was firing on all cylinders offensively and was unbeaten in their last four. D.C. however, was unbeaten in their last five and played the better part on this night, beating the Crew 2-0 and staying in first in the East. With that in mind, on with the ratings!

Bill Hamid - 7

Armed with a contract extension, Bill didn't have a lot to do, but registered another clean sheet. He's got four now (tied for second behind David Ousted), and done it in three fewer games than most of his peers. Also leads the league in Goals Against. You go Bilal.

Chris Korb - 7

His work last week earned him another start in place of Taylor Kemp, but this performance was decidedly better. He was tasked with marking Ethan Finlay. Not sure where I heard this, but Finlay (since switching to the right side) has the fifth-highest goal total of anyone in Major League Soccer, and Korb shut him down Saturday. Kudos.

Bobby Boswell - 7

Was a tandem in marking Kei Kamara on the night and did a solid job. There was a brief glimpse of #WhiteRooney too. Also got Fedrico Higuain to lose his crap near the end and that was funny.

Kofi Opare - 7

The other half of the central defense pairing and played well, even converted 16 of 19 passes. Was amazing how workmanlike he and Boswell were in back despite the daunting presence of Kamara. Well done. And again, drooling at the long-term promise of an Opare-Steve Birnbaum central pairing.

Sean Franklin - 7.5

Scored his first goal in almost a year (since 4/26/14 vs. FC Dallas), and was playing so well he convinced America's Next Great Coaching Genius Gregg Berhalter to sub off the left side of his attack at halftime. He and Korb were forcing the Crew to cross like it was going out of style, and the central defense would vacuum them up.

Nick DeLeon - 6

He and Franklin were locked in on the defensive side as alluded to earlier. That said, was a teeny bit disappointing from the offensive side of things, passing numbers were a little down. Maybe he's hearing footsteps?

Perry Kitchen - 6.5

A little torn on Perry. On one hand, his distribution was notably down on the night (maybe the work against the Vancouver Whitecaps is a high bar to measure). On the other hand, was the first line of attack against Higuain and did well against it.

Davy Arnaud - 6.5

Started a couple of counters and when he played in the middle, held his own, also helped on the left side defensively. Jack of all trades performance.

Chris Pontius - 6.5

Completed 28 of 32 on the night, quietly did his own work on Finlay and did well to boot.

Chris Rolfe - 6.5

A little ineffective on the left side offensively, but that pass tho:


Fabian Espindola - 7.5

For better or worse, Fabi appeared in every part of the field player boxscore on the MLS website with a goal and assist, also led the team in shots and was in fine trolling opposition player form last night.

Michael Farfan (Sub) - 6

Came on for DeLeon in the 63rd and helped kill the game off. Hope we're not back to status quo with Marfan but maybe a plan is in the works.

Luis Silva (Sub) - 6.5

Came on for Rolfe in the 71st and might have been the best non-goal scoring performance yet from him. In 19 minutes, had as many shots on target as Espindola did in 86, and there were two moments (one of which will be later in the GIFs) that should have tightened some pants in the stands.

Miguel Aguilar (Sub) - 6

Came on for Espindola in the 86th and did fine.

Man of the Match

Going with Franklin because of his work in his own half to say nothing of the goal. Besides, it's not like Espindola won't get recognized once or twice between now and November, right?

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