Player ratings: RSL 2 (3)- 2 (1) Wilmington

Jeff Attinella - 6 Jeff had a nice save or two, the best of which he saved for the PK shootout. His distribution wasn’t the best and he hesitated a few times leading to some scary moments. The save he made against Wilmington that would have given the Hammerheads a 3-1 lead was more about the striker hitting it right to Jeff than Jeff making a great save.

Boyd Okwuonu - 6 Okwuonu was decent in the first half at defending but didn’t bring the offensive threat that RSL was desperately in need of.

Jamison Olave - 6.5 Olave looked pretty good against an inferior opponent. He dispossessed them a handful of times when other defenders slid by. For me, Olave was the best defender on the field for RSL.

Aaron Maund - 5.5 Maund had a great goal-line clearance, no doubt. One more goal from the Hammerheads would have spelled doom for RSL. He also pushed up in to the midfield a decent amount to make up for lack of action there. The downside was that he missed on a few tackles that allowed the Hammerheads to get forward.

Chris Wingert - 5 Wingert’s passing was not great, but he played smart tactical defense.

Luke Mulholland - 6 Luke was not the offensive threat we are used to and he was not as creative in the midfield as one would like. Not his best showing, but he did set up Plata on the first RSL goal to get things rolling.

Javier Morales - 6 Morales was not connecting well even though he had great ideas. He looked better as the game went on to be sure. The big question is whether or not he should abandon the stutter step on his PK attempts or if he should at least change things up a bit.

John Stertzer - 4 Stertzer was digging in like crazy on defense and making some hard tackles. On the opposite side of the ball he didn’t have much of anything to offer. He was not making many creative runs or moving around in the midfield much at all. That position requires better play on both sides of the ball.

Juan Manuel Martinez - 7 Burrito was the bright spot in the first half for RSL. He was doing his best to put the team on his shoulders and create. Justice was served when he made the tying goal from distance.

Jordan Allen - 5.5 Allen was late to track the runner on the first Wilmington goal and was having a hard time getting involved. When he switched to outside back, he looked quite a bit better. The debate goes on about where his best position is.

Devon Sandoval - 3.5 Sandoval simply wasn’t very effective. He typically can at least hold up the ball well and distribute thereafter, but not even that was going well. He just looked off.

Substitutes

Joao Plata - 8 Joao (and Yura) came on and provided some much needed energy and offensive infusion. Plata came up with a goal that injected life into the stadium and then assisted Burrito on the tying goal.

Yura Movsisyan - 6.5 Movsisyan is a leader of this team, no doubt about it. He came on the field and brought energy and will to win. He was unlucky not to score.

Omar Holness - N/A