3/24 Player Ratings: Lack of depth dooms United against Red Bulls

Head coach Adrian Heath will be watching performances closely this preseason. Photo courtesy MLS.com

Minnesota United and its makeshift defense struggled to cope with the New York Red Bulls Saturday night, losing 3-0.

In a lot of ways, this is what you would have predicted for a team having to abruptly replace five starters. Making matters worse, the Loons “second-string” defense had to go up against one of the best Major League Soccer scorers ever. Bradley Wright-Phillips accounted for two spectacular goals which ultimately sunk the Loons.

There’s little that can be done when it comes to players having to go on international duty, which claimed three Loons, including Francisco Calvo, Michael Boxall and Rasmus Schuller. Injuries, meanwhile, scratched Tryone Mears and Jerome Thiesson. United already lacks player depth as is, but this is exactly why Loons head coach Adrian Heath continues to clamor for new signings at the club.

Of great concern, though, is that the midfield and forward lines offered little on the night as well. However, one could argue this is similar to a house without a suitable foundation: everything built on top will always come crashing down.

Coach rating out of 10

5 — It’s hard to fault Heath given the circumstances, but you must consider him culpable to some degree when it comes to roster construction as that was among the primary issues on the day.

United lack depth — though it’s not nearly as dire as it was last season — and Heath is a major cog in deciding who’s in the squad. Collen Warner and Marc Burch don’t even appear to be serviceable backups at present. Heath should be acutely aware of this and aggressively scheme around using them or just avoid using them in general.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Matt Lampson, 4 — This was the type of performance that reminds you why Chicago was willing to part ways with the veteran. He never seemed to be fully attuned to the danger in front of him, often sitting passively on his goal line.

This was never more evident than on the second goal when being aggressive could have seen him snuff out Bradley Wright-Phillips first tally.

RB Carter Manley, 6 — The rookie gets a favorable rating because of an important consideration: he’s a rookie and this was his debut performance as a professional. Regardless of age or experience, his passing was at times exceptional and crisp.

He looked nervous to try any kind of dribbling and made a few silly mistakes. The Duke product kept his mistakes to a minimum and made a few timely, important tackles. He’s among the few Heath will be pleased with after this performance.

CB Brent Kallman, 5 — Wearing the captain’s armband in Calvo’s stead, Kallman needed to a strong performance to:

1. Possibly unseat Boxall

2. Lead this “second-string” defensive unit.

He didn’t completely flop in this regard, but as the leader of a defense that gives up three goals, he has to go down with the ship.

CB Wyatt Omsberg, 4 — Featured so minimally in the game that it’s hard to give a truly accurate rating. He was beaten by a superb pass for Wright-Phillips’ second goal.

LB Marc Burch, 2 — The 33-year-old has been in the MLS for more than a decade, but his legs betrayed him on the night. He was completely at fault for the first goal and once again the covering defender on the second. Burch can still serve a beautiful cross now and again, but he can’t be a regular for United should they hope to be competitive this season.

CM Ibson, 7 — Did everything he could at times to be the team’s primary impetus, but couldn’t get cooperation from any of his teammates. Ibson will be hoping new signing and fellow Brazilian Maximiano is fully healthy sooner rather than later.

CM Collen Warner, 1 — Incredibly poor throughout the contest. You can see his lack of quality straining the team, the effect goes double for his midfield partner, Ibson. When Heath consistently tells the media he needs new players, this is what he’s referencing.

RW Ethan Finlay, 6 — United’s most dangerous man going forward by far — had a half breakaway chance saved and his late header clang off the crossbar. Finlay also provided a few of the best crosses for Minnesota, but even he appeared to struggle to get to full speed at any time during the match.   

LW Sam Nicholson, 4 — His worst performance of the season, primarily due to the fact that he’s held such a high standard thus far this campaign. He was another player whose performance symbolized the entire unit’s struggles pulling everyone else down. A rising tide lifts all boats — it appears a sinking tide has the expected counter effect.

CAM Miguel Ibarra, 4 — What made Ibarra’s performance last week so valuable was his ability to check to the ball and pop up in the pockets his teammates needed him in. This was not the case for most of the match Saturday and even when he did get on the ball, he looked slow and indecisive.

ST Christian Ramirez, 4  It’s a disturbingly worrying trend for the Loons this season: Ramirez doing little to nothing. As we’ve always said on The Minnesota Soccer Podcast, Ramirez is a quality player but he will always rely on those around him. These type of team performances are the worst case scenario for a player of his attributes. It’ll be interesting to see what Heath does with Abu Danladi and Mason Toye lurking.

Substitutes

ST Abu Danladi, N/A   

ST Mason Toye, N/A

LW Frantz Pangop, N/A


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