Starting XI

GK: Sean Johnson

Grade: B+

SeanJohn was forced into action quite early and often in the contest against the Columbus Crew. But the New York City FC netminder was up to task and had a handful of key saves that kept the Blues in the game. Considering the only goals he conceded were a penalty and defensive lapse, Johnson is worthy of high marks.

RCB: Maxime Chanot

Grade: C+

Max had a bit of a quiet game, but it wasn’t bad per se. The Luxembourg-born center back handled Columbus’ high press as best he could and was solid for most of the game.

CB: James Sands

Grade: C+

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We’ve seen better from NYCFC’s first-ever homegrown signing, but what we did see on Saturday was far from awful. Sands made a huge stop in the second half to deny a dangerous counter-attack and for that, he gets the lukewarm thumbs up.

LCB: Alexander Callens

Grade: D+

I hate to give this bad a grade for what was, all-in-all, a decent outing. But mistakes have to be punished, and Callens made two of them. Was the penalty he conceded a bit on the soft side? Sure. But it was called a penalty both on the field and by the VAR, so it’s a penalty. Also, Callen’s huge commitment up the pitch in the second half caused a huge gap on the left side to open up, one which Pedro Santos took full advantage of.

RM: Anton Tinnerholm

Grade: C

If you’re seeing a trend in some of these grades, it’s because there is. Much like his defensive counterparts, TinnerBoom was only able have a minimal impact upon the game at the right wingback position.

LM: Ben Sweat

Grade: N/A

Sweat wasn’t having a brilliant game when he was taken off for an ankle injury late in the first half. But it would feel unfair to give a starter a grade based on not even a full half of play. We wish Sweat a speedy recovery and hope he’s back on the pitch soon.

RCM: Alexander Ring

Grade: B

Ring did what he does best on Saturday: cause chaos in the midfield and be a leader. The Ringleader did valiantly to distribute in the middle and even set up a banger of a goal (we’ll get to that).

LCM: Ebenezer Ofori

Grade: C

Ofori’s return to the XI was a welcome change from last weekend. But the Ghanaian wasn’t as potent as we’re accustomed to seeing this season.

RW: Maxi Moralez

Grade: B+

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Since Alexandru Mitrita has returned to the lineup, Maxi has been shifted from the left wing to the right where he, as a right-footed player, can be more of a playmaker as opposed to an inside forward. The change proved most effective, with Moralez’s assist in the second half being the payoff.

LW: Alexandru Mitrita

Grade: C

I’m not gonna pretend like Mitri had a bad game. But his miss from close range in the second half should’ve never happened. For a $9 million transfer fee and a DP spot, those are shots that have to go in.

ST: Héber

Grade: A

If the Brazilian forward had any doubters before this, they’ve been silence. Héber’s tally on Saturday took him to 4 on the season as his opportunistic tendencies and ability to get in behind continue to shine.

Substitutions

RW: Ismael Tajouri-Shradi

Grade: C+

Isi had to hop in late in first half in place of Ben Sweat, forcing a tactical change. Though his performance was as great as we’ve come to expect from him, the tactical change proved effective and Shroddy Doddy was a key cog in the machine.

CM: Taty Castellanos

Grade: A+

I used to have my reservations, but Taty has been making me a believer recently. His golazo off the bench wasn’t only a beauty; it was also the equalizer that ensured NYCFC a share of the points on the road. Good work, kid!

CM: Tony Rocha

Grade: N/A

I don’t know what Domé sees in this guy. But whatever. He was only on for a few minutes and there was really nothing to talk about in that span.