D.C. United 1-0 Montreal Impact: Player Ratings

When you give up more than 25% of your goals on the season over the last two games, it becomes a problem for you, and D.C. United wanted to stop giving up so many goals. So...they gave up none, against a team in the Montreal Impact who certainly had no shortage of chances to level and surpass the Black and Red.

So, let's score people subjectively, shall we?

Bill Hamid - 9.5

Getting this out of the way, basically the only reason he didn't get a 10 is that he wasn't at full health. So with that out of the way:

Eight more saves to add to his total, fifth in the league in that category behind David Bingham and Steve Clark, despite playing five and seven (respectively) fewer starts than both. Tied for fourth in shutouts with Clint Irwin, despite playing five fewer games, leads the league in Goals Against and Save Percentage.

A full health Bill Hamid is going to be fun.

Taylor Kemp - 4.5

Had a couple of decent crosses and almost got one in the net, but had his hands full with Andres Romero most of the night, leaving him on one-on-one chances against Hamid. Wave of last week's goal come crashing to earth.

Steve Birnbaum - 5

Looked a little foolish on a chance near halftime from Dominic Oduro, and his passing left a bit to be desired. Won his fair share of aerials but needs to do better than he has the last couple of weeks.

Bobby Boswell - 6.5

Led the team in interceptions and clearances, though was worked off the ball in the second half by his former Houston Dynamo teammate Oduro which led to a breakaway, but you know, Bill Hamid did Bill Hamid things. Earlier in the week, said he hoped to be 'slow and smart' against him, and mission...generally accomplished.

Chris Korb - 7.5

Most accurate passer on the defense, tied for the team lead in tackles, one behind Boswell for team lead in clearances, had to deal with Johan Venegas and Ignacio Piatti overlapping for much of the game and did well. One of his better defensive performances, and will likely get to do it when his replacement comes in at right back, as Kemp has two more games to go to avoid a suspension for yellow card accumulation.

Chris Rolfe - 7

Had the shot (hehe), but also played a part in a dangerous yet unsuccessful counter later in the first half, played both sides of the field as well as could be expected, most accurate passer on the night. His ninth goal on the year put him into a tie for sixth place in the League with Designated Player Kaka. Thanks again Frank Yallop!

Perry Kitchen - 5.5

Passing was off compared to his work on the year, defensively was better than previous games, almost connected with his mate in center mid for a brace in the second half. He won't brag about the game as a whole, but hopefully can rediscover his form Thursday because he'll need to with that midfield.

Davy Arnaud - 6

Drew a yellow for fouling Piatti, almost got a goal from a Kitchen feed, passing was not bad, along with Korb and Birnbaum, was the only player on the team to earn a defensive action in each WhoScored category (Tackles, Interceptions, Clearances, Blocked Shots, Fouls). Was also a bit chesty after the win, which he had a right to be I guess.

Nick DeLeon - 5

Didn't have many touches on the night before coming off at halftime with 'muscle tightness' which hopefully is more precautionary than anything else, would really hope it doesn't derail his recent stretch of form.

Jairo Arrieta - 6

Nice interaction with Rolfe on the goal, equally nice counter that ultimately went for naught fifteen minutes later. Led the team in fouls committed on the night? (double checks) Yep.

Alvaro Saborio - 5

Fewest touches of any starter on the night, three offsides bring him up to third in Major League Soccer in that stat, six behind league leader...Jairo Arrieta. Could not do a lot without any service from Fabian Espindola (missing due to a knee injury), so hopefully said injury is not major, or there's a $450k-ish number 9 twiddling his thumbs during that absence.

Substitutes:

Conor Doyle - 6

Came on for DeLeon at the half, passing was pretty good, defensively tied for the team lead (Korb, Birnbaum) in tackles on the night with 3 despite playing one half. Did what was asked of him, did it well.

Sean Franklin - 5.5

By gawd, that's Sean Franklin's music! 9 of 10 completed passes, three clearances and a yellow for time wasting on his first minutes in two months (June 6) while coming on for Arrieta in the 71st.

Chris Pontius - 5

YOU get some playing time after a injury! You get some! Came on for Rolfe in the 83rd, three touches (all passes, one completed), won two aerial duels in his first time since May 30.

Man of the Match:

Welcome back Bill, please stay healthy, OK?