Player Ratings: Birmingham Legion 0-0 The Miami FC

So the win streak doesn’t extend to 3, but the unbeaten streak does. 1 point was as much as the Forge was hoping for from this one, but it so easily could have been 3. Here’s how the guys did:

GK: MATT VAN OEKEL – 7. 3 saves in the game. One excellent diving stop in the first half and the rarely used chin save in second half stoppage time to preserve the draw.

LB: RYAN JAMES – 7. Just the first half for Ryan, as Tommy Soehn went with a changed formation in the second. Still, a decent 76.2% completion rate on 21 passes, including 2 unsuccessful crosses. Defensively, just 1 interception.

CB: PHANUEL KAVITA – 7. A rather low 29 total passes in 90 minutes for 82.8% accuracy. He only had 4 duels, winning 3, and just 2 interceptions. Weirdly low numbers for a center back in an evenly played game. However, he had 1 shot on target.

CB: ALEX CROGNALE – 7. Alex connected on 34 of 40 passes, won 9 of 10 duels and registered 1 tackle, 5 clearances and 1 interception. He also had 1 shot off target.

RB: JONNY DEAN – 8. All over the field last night. 79.6% accurate with 49 passes, although his 3 crosses did not find their targets (they were aerial, which we want to see more of). His defense though was incredible. He won 7 of 10 duels and logged 2 tackles, 3 clearances and 2 interceptions. He is awarded the Forge’s Man of the Match honors.

LM: ANDERSON ASIEDU – 7. A workhorse, as usual, and he bossed the midfield, especially after the break when he got pushed further upfield. He completed 84.6% of 39 passes, won 5 of 9 duels, logged 1 tackle and 1 interception. And of course, 3 shots, with 1 on target.

RM: MIKEY LOPEZ – 6.5. An OK night, although Mikey hampered himself with a yellow card after 29 minutes. He found his target with 36 of his 42 passes, but won only 4 of 12 duels and recorded 3 tackles.

LAM: MARLON SANTOS – 6. Poor Marlon. His best chance of the night was all for nothing, as was also another ridiculous foul he was the victim of later. Unhappy as usual to be subbed out after 62 minutes, he was clearly tired and had no shots to his name.

CAM:BRUNO LAPA – 7. Not Bruno’s best 82 minutes. 71.4% accurate on 35 passes, 1 blocked shot and 1 chance created. He also lost 5 of 8 duels.

RAM: PROSPER KASIM – 6.5. Prosper, Prosper, Prosper. He created 4 chances in the game, but the best one in second half stoppage was meant for his right foot. Which, as we all know, he really doesn’t have. He also was shown the yellow card.

FWD: ENZO MARTINEZ – 7. Another victim of the bizarre refereeing decisions, Enzo was offside on that big chance but that should not have negated a red card for was done afterwards. 1 shot on target and 1 blocked and 2 chances created.

SUB: ZACH HERIVAUX – 7. Zach came on at half time as the formation shifted to a 4-1-4-1 for more attacking punch. A creditable 83.3% completion rate on 24 passes as well as 1 blocked shot.

SUB: JUAN AGUDELO – 6. Juan’s knee is apparently still not quite right yet, but even so, connecting on 6 of just 7 passes and zero shots in 28 official minutes doesn’t cut it for an elite forward.

SUB: JAKE RUFE – 7. A rather puzzling late substitution given the game flow but in 8 minutes Jake was perfect on 5 passes, sent in 11 cross and had a key late clearance.

HC: TOMMY SOEHN – 7. Tommy’s substitution patterns still are a source of befuddlement at times, but the half-time shift clearly energized the attack. Is it time to pack up the 4-2-3-1 for good? Maybe not entirely but it does not need to be the go-to any more.