This is really late, but at least we’re getting it out before the next game. The 2-2 draw with Indy was disappointing in that this was a game the Legion really should have put away. They knew it too. This time the team did not have referees to blame for the dropped points; it was the team’s own fault for getting a little complacent and allowing an early second-half foul to interrupt their focus. Still, there were some positives to take from it. In particular, the passing as superlative; overall, the team made an incredible 597 attempts and an 88.3% accuracy rate, with multiple players well over 90%. Anyway, here are the individual grades:
GK: JASSEM KOLEILAT – B
Jassem made two impressive saves, one of which got nominated for Save of the Week. He also got a hand on one of the goals; the other he had no chance to stop. His distribution was decent, going 88.5% on a fairly low 26 passes.
LB: DAWSON MCCARTNEY – C+
Dawson was not quite up to his normally high standard, at least as far as statistical contributions are concerned. In defense, he made 2 tackles and 2 clearances but won only 2 of 9 duels. In attack, he had no shots and lobbed in 4 crosses, all unsuccessful, but he was credited with 1 chance creation. Passing was moderately good with accuracy of 83.7% on 49 tries. He also got a deserved yellow card.
LB: RAMIZ HAMOUDA- B+
The league is beginning to show Raz a lot of respect. The Eleven generally kept the ball away from him (as much as they had possession). HE was entirely uninvolved in the attack but recorded 3 clearances and won 4 of 7 duels. A ton of passing again; he connected on 87 of 96 attempts.
CB: PHANUEL KAVITA – B+
Phanny was challenged even less than Raz. 1 clearance; that’s it. 1 of 2 in duels. Only 46 passes, finishing with a completion rate of 91.3%. He left the game in the 74th minute, apparently needing a rest.
RB: SEBASTIAN TREGARTHEN – B-
Back in the starting XI, Seba had an OK game. From the fullback position he was able to get in 2 shots, if off target and sent in 2 crosses, also not finding targets. He had 1 chance creation as well. Not too active at the other end, with just 1 clearance, but losing 5 of 8 duels. Passing was poor, missing on 18 of 49 deliveries.
LDM: SAM MCILLHATTON – A-
Not just his first Legion goal, his first professional goal (he did not play pro in Australia). He rescued a point for the Legion with it too. Apart from that, he had a long-range shot blocked and was good on 1 of 2 crosses, which resulted in a scoring chance. He mixed it up in his own half: 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 1 block and 2 interceptions, accompanied by 13 duels, winning 6. Passing was quality too: 92% good on 75 attempts. Pity about the yellow card. Man of the Match anyway.
RDM: SETH ANTWI – A-
Seth also got a yellow card, marring an otherwise solid showing. 2 tackles, 1 clearance and 1 block; 4 for 9 in duels. He even got a shot in, but it was blocked. Passing was monstrously accurate: 96% on 75 tries. Getting the job done.
LAM: GEVORK DIARBIAN – A
More staggeringly good passing: 95.3% on 45 opportunities. He was in a hefty 12 duels, but lost 10 of them, which isn’t great. He blocked 2 shots though. In attack he put up 4 shots, 1 on target, 1 off and 2 blocked. He assisted on the game-tying goal and generated 3 scoring chances in total. 2 crosses, of which one was good. Strong play.
CAM: TYLER PASHER – A
The penalty score aside (which was very nicely taken), Ty was responsible for an almost unheard of 8 scoring chances. 4 crosses overall, 2 of which were good. And yet another high number in passing: 61 for 66. He is the designated playmaker at this point.
RAM: PETER-LEE VASSELL – B+
Only 23 passing attempts, but 21 of them found a man. He had 3 shots, 2 off target and 1 blocked. He provided some serious defensive support: 2 tackles, 3 clearances and 1 block. He also won 6 of 9 duels. Subbed out after 66 minutes.
FWD: ROMARIO WILLIAMS – C
Romario played 66 minutes this week and didn’t do too much with his time. 3 shots off target and not much else.
SUB: RONALDO DAMUS – B+
Ronaldo entered the game in the 66th minute and almost immediately had an impact with a pass that really should have been an assist. He wasn’t given the service for any shots but did create 2 scoring chances. Looking closer to a full game’s work.
SUB: SERGE NGOMA – B
Serge came on with Ronaldo and was the beneficiary of his possible assist, not quite getting enough power on the shot, which was saved fairly easily. That was his primary impact on the game.
SUB: BRYCE WASHINGTON – B
In late for Phanny, Bryce was able to get some meaningful time in after recovering from the head injury. He was good on 14 of 15 passes (all short), 1 tackle and 1 duel won. We may see more of him this week.
HC: JAY HEAPS – A
Jay’s game plan was spot on and he can’t be faulted for the team’s loss of concentration. His substitutions were also on the money. He just needs fto figure out how to get the Three Sparks to be more lethal and uncompromising.
