Player Ratings: The Miami FC 0-1 Birmingham LegionA margarita-worthy showing (well, for those players old enough...)
Two wins in one week? Nice. And this one didn’t take 120 minutes, thankfully. Just an all-round dominant performance. Here are the individual ratings.
GK: FERNANDO DELGADO – 8. Signs Friday, plays Saturday. At 17 years old. Not his first game in the Championship though – that was back in 2021 as the youngest keeper ever. HE did not disappoint. Just 2 saves, but one was critical at the end of the game. Only 23 passes – which shows how little he was tested – for 91% accuracy.
LB: MOSES MENSAH – 7.5. Moses is an excellent fullback in a pressing context. 93% completion rate on 41 passes and a very solid 85% in the attacking half. 1 shot blocked and 2 unsuccessful crosses. Defensively, 1 tackle, 4 clearances, 1 block and 1 interception to go with 5 of 9 dules won. A pity about the yellow card though.
CB: PHANUEL KAVITA – 8. Fresh after being rested Wednesday, Phanny was not heavily challenged. He won 3 of 4 duels and logged 1 tackle, 3 clearances and 2 interceptions. His passing was great: 94% overall on 32 tries and a perfect 100% in attack.
CB: A.J. PATERSON – 8. AJ went the full 120 Wednesday, but Alex Crognale did too, so AJ shifts from the pivot to spell him at centerback. He racked impressive numbers: 10 of 12 duels won, 5 tackles, 5 clearances and 2 interceptions. Just 20 passes, connecting on 17, and like Phanny he was perfect past midfield.
RB: JAKE RUFE – 7. 66 minutes on the field for Jake to follow 76 minutes in midweek. Back out to fullback this time. Not much in the attack: 2 incomplete crosses on top of 90% passing on 29 attempts, 85% in attack. 3 of 7 in duels, 1 tackle, 2 clearances.
LDM: KOBE HERNANDEZ-FOSTER –8.5. Kobe was kept under wraps during the offseason, but is clearly showing himself to be perhaps the biggest pickup. An whopping 96% accuracy rate on an equally hefty 73 passes, 88% accurate in attack. 5 scoring chances created and 1 shot off frame. 4 of 7 in duels, 3 tackles and 1 clearance. It was also his long ball that freed up Prosper for the eventual goal. Spoiled it a tad with the yellow card, but still good enough for Man of the Match.
RDM: ENZO MARTINEZ – 7.5. Enzo managed to go 89 minutes without seeing yellow, and boy was he mad when he did. Otherwise, 86% of 56 passes found their target, 74% in the attacking half. 2 shots wide and 1 blocked. 3 scoring chances created. 6 of 10 in duels, 5 tackles and 1 block.
LW: DAWSON MCCARTNEY – 7. Dawson went 82 minutes after 62 in midweek. Perhaps a tad on the tired side, he connected on 17 of 21 passes, but was 0 for 4 in crosses. 3 shots, though, all blocked. He spent a ton of time deep in Miami territory.
CAM: TYLER PASHER – 8. Tyler had a very good week. 94% accurate on just 31 passes (81% in attack), but he causes such trouble for opposing defenses he opens things up for other players. 2 shots blocked, 2 of 5 in crossing and 3 chances made.
RW: PROSPER KASIM – 8. Prosper played 66 minutes (58 against Chattanooga). 93% good on 27 passes, 3 shots blocked, 1 unsuccessful cross. 2 scoring chances created, one of which ended up being an incredibly unselfish assist on the game-winner.
FWD: STEFANO PINHO – 8. Stefano completed all of his passes. There were just 7 of them though. Not what he’s there for, of course. 4 shots in total, all on target and one finding the net in what was the easiest way to rack up a 5th goal in one week.
SUB: DIBA NWEGBO – 7. 24 official minutes (in relief of Prosper) for Diba who had to be wiped out after his 120 on Wednesday. Still, good on 10 of 12 passes and managed 2 shots off frame and created one scoring chance.
SUB: MUJEEB MURANA – 7. Came on with Diba to replace Jake. Passing was so-so: 12 of 17 were good. 3 of 5 in duels, and 2 tackles. 1 cross in attack, not hitting his man. Overall, not really under any threat.
SUB: PRESTON TABORT ETAKA – 7. Just 10 official minutes spelling Tyler; he went the whole way Weddnesday. 2 of 4 in passing and 1 shot off target.
SUB: MIGUEL PEREZ – 7. On with Preston, subbing for Stefano whose job was done. Good on 5 of 6 passes, 1 duel lost. That’s it.
SUB: RAMIZ HAMOUDA – 7. Ramiz added to his Open Cup debut with his Championship debut, going 8 minutes. 3 of 5 in passing, 2 of 2 in duels. This kid is not intimidated.
HC: TOMMY SOEHN – 8. Tommy played essentially two different philosophies in each half, basically playing keepaway in the first and a mixed press/counter in the second. It worked great.
