This was a game that followed the script almost to perfection. Unfortunately it was Houston's script. United displayed an excellent possession game in both halves. It didn't lead to very many offensive chances though. Gomez had one excuse-me-shot off a free kick smack the cross bar on the bounce, and Emilio had a one-on-one chance which he put directly into Onstead's legs. And that was the offense. Defensively, United was stellar. If only Fred had stepped up with the back line offside trap or Addlery had not jumped over the shot from the top of the box, this would have been a scoreless draw. Perkins was fantastic again, Boswell and Vanney controlled the middle, and Gros and McTavish played steady on the edges.
The Good:
- Perkins continues to excel. Only good things happen when your keeper is at the top of his game. This bodes well for the rest of the year.
- Boswell and Vanney look good together in the middle. I'm guessing United will stay with the 4-4-2 for the rest of the season.
- Olsen, Gomez, and Carroll were invisible for large stretches of the game, especially Carroll.
- Addlery and Emilio had great difficulties controlling the ball with a defender on their back. Lots of giveaways on passes that bounced away.
Forwards (Emilio and Addlery) C
Emilio didn't convert his one chance and Addlery had none.
Midfielders (Fred, Gomez, Carroll the Elder, and Olsen) C
Full of great possession signifying nothing.
Defense (Boswell, Vanney, McTavish, Gros, and Perkins) A
Perkins had no chance to react to the deflection, but otherwise the defense was first rate. I only wish they wouldn't clear crosses to the top of the box so often. I don't think it led directly to the goal, but if that had gone to the side or out of bounds, things may have turned out differently.
Subs (Burch, Simms, and Dyachenko) C+
Another ineffective performance at forward for Dyachenko. Simms was fine in limited action, Burch looked pretty good moving forward pressing for the equalizer.
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