Another win, another good day for New York City FC player ratings. The numbers you handed out today might not be as lofty as those from Saturday’s win over New York Red Bulls, but the Starting XI received mostly 7s, with a pair of 6s and 8s to even things out.
For the most part, your ratings reflected those handed out by the FotMob algorithm. However, we will note that the 7.7 you gave to Santiago Rodríguez is a bit of a mystery. The engine of NYCFC’s attack logged a goal and an assist, was given an 8.8 by FotMob, and was voted your Player of the Match.
Seems like a better-than-OK day at the office for somebody who scored his 10th goal of the Major League Soccer season, becoming just the 14th player in New York City history to reach double digits in a single year?
Note: FotMob ratings are in parentheses.
Andrew Leigh
Alonso Martínez, off 76′ (7.4) – 8.1
Santiago Rodríguez, off 90′ (8.8) – 7.7
Maxi Moralez, off 85′ (7.7) – 7.6
Hannes Wolf (7.9) – 6.7
Andrés Perea (7.6) – 7.4
James Sands (7.8) – 7.8
Mitja Ilenič, off 85′ (8.1) – 8.3
Kevin O’Toole (7.8) – 7.0
Thiago Martins (6.5) – 6.4
Justin Haak (6.8) – 7.0
Matt Freese (6.9) – 7.3
Mounsef Bakrar, on 76′ (6.0) – 5.5
Tayvon Gray, on 85′ (N/A) – 5.0
Birk Risa, on 85′ (N/A) – 5.4
Strahinja Tanasijević, on 90′ (N/A) – 5.6
Player Spotlight
Mitja Ilenič
Tayvon Gray’s performance against New York Red Bulls is a tough act to follow: The right-back put on a defensive masterclass, then added an assist and his first MLS goal. But Mitja Ilenič stepped up when called upon, scoring his first MLS goal when he unleashed a low right-footed shot from well outside the box in the 16th minute.
NOW THAT’S HOW YOU SCORE YOUR FIRST @MLS GOAL 🇸🇮 pic.twitter.com/bWnKJCHob7
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) October 3, 2024
It was an impressive turn from the 19-year-old, who was a surprise starter after making just two appearances off the bench in the last six league games. And it was an emotional moment for the right-back, who teared up after scoring before being mobbed by his teammates.
Got his game ball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/DQdSCaU6I2
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) October 3, 2024
Ilenič scored three times for NK Domžale in Slovenia before joining New York City last year and going goalless in the 2023 season. Will this goal uncork the offensive potential of the 19-year-old, who told us last year about his attack-minded style of play?
Oliver Strand
Nick Cushing – 6.9
Once again, Nick Cushing was without a key player: Midfielder Keaton Parks missed just his fourth game this season after leaving Saturday’s win over Red Bulls with a knock. And once again, Cushing fielded a Starting XI that won the night.
It was close, though. This Cincinnati are a tougher team to play than the Red Bulls, and an attack marshaled by Luciano Acosta threatened to steal a result on the road. But Cushing’s side figured out how to win ugly, accomplishing something that evaded them for most of this season.
Matthew Mangam
Guido Gonzales Jr. – 4.1
New York City were done wrong by several of the calls made by Guido Gonzales Jr. But this win came as a result of the penalty converted by Rodríguez after Andrés Perea was fouled in the box, and that foul was identified only after a lengthy VAR check. How many wrongs make a right?
Player of the Match
Santiago Rodríguez
Rodríguez logged an assist and a goal, bringing his season total to 10 apiece. Those 20 goal involvements account for 39% of the 51 goals scored by New York City in MLS play this year, and are a new career high for the 24-year-old. Rodríguez continues to live up to his Designated Player status, and is on his way to becoming one of the league’s elite midfielders.
Santiago Rodríguez | Goal Involvements by Season
| G | A | GS | GP | Min | GI/90 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024* | 10 | 10 | 30 | 30 | 2619 | 0.69 |
| 2023 | 5 | 8 | 28 | 31 | 2579 | 0.45 |
| 2022 | 4 | 13 | 29 | 32 | 2472 | 0.62 |
| 2021 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 21 | 985 | 0.37 |
* Through 32 games
First, there was his assist to Alonso Martínez in the 65th minute. It started when Rodríguez dispossessed Cincinnati’s Luca Orellano, then carried the ball into the attacking third. Flanked by Maxi Moralez on the right and an overlapping Martínez on the left, Rodríguez released a simple pass that was buried by an El Clínico wonder strike.
ESTE HOMBRE MARCA GOLES COMO SI NADA 🇨🇷 pic.twitter.com/v8eS89aGad
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) October 3, 2024
Then, there was the penalty Rodríguez converted in the 75th minute. Santi is known for not having a set preference for where he places his penalties, and is comfortable shooting to the left, the right, and down the middle. This time he went to the left, sending goalkeeper Roman Celentano the wrong way.
Santi from the spot for his 10th of the season 🎯 pic.twitter.com/epczWW047D
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) October 3, 2024
That goal made Rodríguez the 14th New York City player in club history to score 10 or more goals in a single season.
New York City FC | Players With 10 or More Goals in a Single Season
| Name | Year | Mins | Goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | David Villa | 2016 | 2869 | 23 |
| 2. | David Villa | 2017 | 2556 | 22 |
| 3. | Taty Castellanos | 2021 | 2760 | 19 |
| 4. | David Villa | 2015 | 2514 | 18 |
| 5. | Alonso Martínez | 2024 | 1338 | 15 |
| Héber | 2019 | 1575 | 15 | |
| 7. | David Villa | 2018 | 1754 | 14 |
| 8. | Taty Castellanos | 2022 | 1436 | 13 |
| 9. | Alexandru Mitriță | 2019 | 2172 | 12 |
| Frank Lampard | 2016 | 1280 | 12 | |
| 11. | Ismael Tajouri-Shradi | 2018 | 1547 | 11 |
| Taty Castellanos | 2019 | 2052 | 11 | |
| 13. | Santiago Rodríguez | 2024 | 2619 | 10 |
| Jack Harrison | 2017 | 2757 | 10 |
But more than that, Rodríguez was the best No 10 on the field. Cincinnati’s Acosta might be the top attacking midfielder in the league, but he was outplayed on Wednesday night.
No wonder Rodríguez took 45% of the vote and is your POTM.
Perea deserves some flowers. He’s been a real shot in the arm to our midfield since returning.
trending 1: fans seem not much happy with Wolf’s performance recently, giving relatively low ratings to the FotMob. he’s still one of those run their arses off on the pitch, just lacking some results (aka goals, assists) almost at the end of every touch or after a brilliant run… when he picks up some tangible results (aka goals, assists) this squad becomes somewhat invincible. soon…trending 2: Haak appreciation seems to have grown in the fans minds. it took some time, ha! well deserved.