Racing 1 Dash 1 Player Ratings
Courtesy USA Today Sports Images
After Racing’s 1-1 draw, Coach Kim Björkegren said it was one of the toughest matches he has ever experienced as a coach. There were 4 game day scratches due to illness. Most of those illnesses seemed to strike the back line. In fact Bonner was posted as projected starter on Twitter before being a late scratch. Taking that into account, Racing will be somewhat happy with a point.
Lund-6: Made a couple of routine saves and a good one that unfortunately found its way to Nichelle Prince who put away the Dash’s second bite at goal from a corner. On a side note, Coach Sergio Gonzales vehemently disagreed with the decision to award a corner, earning a verbal warning from the 4th official. I will take a closer look at that call tomorrow, but honestly I couldn’t tell who the ball was out on in real time.
Fox-7: Led the team in passing accuracy with 91.4%. I believe she was the only projected starter on the back line to play in the match.
Martin-7: Another solid effort from Martin, who continues to get minutes based on her work rate.
Simon-7: She the late replacement for Bonner and deputized brilliantly on short notice before having to be substituted for what I believe was a cramp.
Merrick-7: Led the team in passes and was a very solid partner of Simon while they were both in the match. She basically played the last 25 or so minutes as the lone center back.
Howell-6: She was Racing’s most accurate passer in the midfield, but was rather quiet on the stat sheet.
DeMelo-8: Was close to scoring again, and led the team in touches with 85. She is steadily becoming Racing’s engine.
Milliet-7: She seems to never get tired and had a very good assist on McDonald’s goal.
Davis-6: Was offside a couple of times when she probably shouldn’t have been, and rushed a cross early in the match that could have been more dangerous with a few more yards taken on a dribble. Was Racing’s first player subbed off.
Kizer-6: Looked a little off her game and definitely a little tired late in the match.
McDonald-8: Celebrated her 159th match with balloons from the Lavender Legion. She scored on a great header, which makes one wonder why she takes long throws when she is so good in the box. She was also probably working on very little sleep having taken the Red Eye back from Phoenix College’s commencement address.
