Player Ratings: RSL effort not lacking in MLS Cup loss to Sporting KC

Nick Rimando - 8 He made plenty of saves that kept RSL in a great position throughout the Cup game. He also made a key save in PKs that kept them breathing. Good performance from the seasoned veteran.

Chris Wingert - 6.5 Wingert had a fair game but got a dangerous yellow early on which was reminiscent of the yellow he got against KC earlier in the year. That probably forced him to play a bit more tentatively than he would have liked to.

Nat Borchers - 7.5 Borchers looked like a man with plenty of experience in big games and he played well overall. There were a couple of times that C.J. Sapong got away from him, but Sapong was unable to finish.

Chris Schuler- 7 It is hard to blame Schuler too much for Collin's goal that resurrected KC. He was there, but Collin was above him. Otherwise, Schuler looked great.

Tony Beltran - 7 Beltran worked as hard as anyone and was in the right spot on the better part of the night. His PK take was the best of the 20 that were taken in my opinion. It was next to impossible to save and as far in the corner as it could be.

Kyle Beckerman - 8.5 Beckerman's assist was one to remember. A no-look pass to Saborio in a championship game is very cheeky and I loved it. His passing looked good, his defense did as well.

Javier Morales - 6.5 Morales was obviously the focus of KC's defense. He was quieted to a certain extent. Morales was literally within an inch or two of icing the game when he caught Nielsen flat-footed. That's a goal you have to have.

Ned Grabavoy - 6 Grabavoy had a chance or two with which I thought he could have done more and his PK miss really put RSL in an uphill battle. His final performance of 2013 didn't reflect the fantastic season he had.

Luis Gil - 8.5 Gil was one of the better players on the night which gives me hope going forward. My hope is that he stays with RSL for at least four or five more years as he has the talent and now the experience to really make an impact for RSL going forward. He looked as sharp as he ever has.

Robbie Findley - 8.5 Findley proved all the haters wrong over the course of the MLS Playoffs. He looked very dangerous against KC but probably could have done a bit better with his chance that hit the post. That said, I can't wait to see him in 2014. I was sad to see him come off towards the end of the match with how well he was playing.

Alvaro Saborio - 7.5 What a goal from Sabo. He placed the ball exactly where he wanted to with his shoulder and finished it off in clinical fashion. Unfortunately he missed the goal completely in the high pressure situation. That did not start things off very well in the PK standoff.

Substitutes

Lovel Palmer - 6 Palmer came on late in frigid temperatures and seemed to lack a bit of confidence. His final PK that went off the crossbar is one of those plays that will unfortunately be talked about for a long time into the future.

Joao Plata - 7 Plata didn't have as much of an impact as I thought he would, although he did create a really good chance for RSL towards the end of the match. He also put in his PK with confidence. Maybe with different playing conditions he could have done more.

Sebastian Velasquez - 6 The ice affected Velasquez more than other RSL players it appeared. Not a bad game really, but he did have a chance to put the game away from the PK spot and unfortunately it was saved. It's one of those plays that will be replayed in RSL fans' minds for a couple weeks.