The People's Ratings: Columbus Crew SC vs. Portland Timbers results

The votes are in and the team has been rated on their performance in Sunday’s loss in Portland. The team wide average was 5.98. That matches up well with the ratings guide of 6 being a performance that results in a narrow loss on the road.

GK: Steve Clark - Rating: 5.61 Standard Deviation: 1.49 Voters were mixed on how to assess Clark. The goalkeeper was slightly below average, but his standard deviation was the second highest on the team.

RB: Harrison Afful - 6.32/1.67 Afful got forward quite a bit, but was also attacked quite a bit by Portland’s offense. Much like Clark, people were mixed on whether it was good performance or the defensive issues outweighed the positives. Still a rating over six is positive.

RCB: Michael Parkhurst - 6.03/1.21

An acceptable, average performance from the Crew SC captain. He was solidly capable without flair.

LCB: Gaston Sauro - 6.27/1.23

Voters felt that Sauro was the more impressive of the centerback duo. He was the more active of the two.

LB: Waylon Francis - 5.69/1.20

A quietly frustrating game from the marauding left back. With much of the action taking place on the other side, there wasn’t many ways to get involved on defense or offense.

DM: Wil Trapp - 6.25/1.23

Capable, but not outstanding work from Trapp. Voters felt he was effective in closing down the middle.

CM: Tony Tchani - 6.55/1.38

He was a physical presence in the middle of the field. Again, Portland tried to go down the Crew SC right side more often. Tchani was a good reason for that.

RW: Ethan Finlay - 5.81/1.28

Despite the assist, many apparently thought that Finlay should have made a bigger impact. He did struggle as Portland played deep and didn’t give him space to run into.

CAM: Federico Higuain - 8.21/1.01

The People’s Ratings Player of the Game. Higuain may have been harder to get into the offensive flow, but his bicycle kick was a beauty.

LW: Hector Jimenez - 5.53/1.32

The surprise starter was generally quiet. He did the work on defense, but struggled when the offense moved through him.

ST: Kei Kamara - 5.50/1.21

Found little room to operate as Portland played deep and collapsed quickly on the new Crew SC DP. Kamara never got on track.

SUB 1: Justin Meram - 5.49/1.12

Seen as a (slight) downgrade from Jimenez. Meram looked rusty and not quite at game speed.

SUB 2: Cedrick Mabwati - 5.70/1.12

Made a few attacking runs in place of Finlay, but ultimately graded down due to lack of results.

SUB 3: Conor Casey - 4.08/1.61

Seen as a wasted sub given the low rating and the limited time on the field. Really didn’t change the dynamic of the game.

Coaching: Gregg Berhalter - 6.21/1.17

Even in a losing effort, many still believe in Gregg we trust.

Officiating Crew - 6.36/1.69

A solidly officiated game that was well managed.