By Jonny Rico
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A magical second half pretty much let everyone forget about the horrifying first half performances. Players like Carlos Darwin Quintero were on their way to receiving a rating of 4.0 (or lower) based on the actions of the first 45 minutes. But then he went on to be involved in two of the four goals.
Dario Benedetto missed a wide open goal tap in sending the ball into the crossbar. His confidence level was so low, each shot was just shameful of a professional soccer player in the first half. But he then goes on to score a Hat-Trick and become the hero of the night.
In an almost direct reversal of the Montreal Ratings, the issue was to come up with a mark which covered both halves.
Moises Muñoz (GK) – 7.0
The goalkeeper could do nothing about the goal. But made a key save in the first half denying Piatti what would have been a damaging 2-0 lead. His save kept America within one goal of knocking the trophy out of Montreal’s hands. His presence offered the team a greater sense of security than what backup goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez had offered in the semifinal round. That was ironic given the panic measures Impact were forced into between the sticks.
Paul Aguilar (RB) – 7.0
By design Aguilar pushed forward and joined in the America attack looking to dribble at defenders and send in crosses to the strikers. But for moments, especially in the first half Aguilar’s offensive presences left huge spaces in the back which were being exploited by the Montreal attack in dangerous counters.
Ventura Alvarado (CB) – 6.5
For moments in the first half Alvarado seemed to be playing out of his depth. He was easily beaten in the play which led to the Montreal Impact goal in the first half. Once America started to dominate and push Impact deep in its own field Alvarado seemed to settle down.
Pablo Aguilar (CB) – 6.5
The center back was also among the handful of defenders beaten in the play leading up to the Impact’s goal. The speed of Montreal’s forwards caused Aguilar to commit several tactical fouls and be booked in the first half.
Miguel Samudio (LB) – 6.5
Like Paul Aguilar, Samudio tried to push up the field to join in the attack; though he did it less often and less effectively that the Right-Back. Samudio also left pockets of spaces behind him which the Impact players exploited with speed and left the Center-Backs in dangerous one-on-one situations.
Daniel Guerrero (CDM) – 6.5
It is never easy to be the lone holding midfielder but that was the job of Guerrero. He tried to help the Center-Backs during the dangerous counter attacks of Montreal but often looked too slow.
Osvaldo Martinez (CM) – 7.0
Martinez was a regular work horse in the midfield for America. His priority was to help build the America attack but he also tried to help Guerrero with defensive duties whenever possible. The Paraguayan midfielder had the assist with perfectly placed cross for Benedetto’s scissors kick.
Rubens Sambueza (CM/LW) – 8.0
The America captain was the maestro of the midfield for the Liga MX side. He is the player that can dribble at defenders, hold the ball, draw important fouls, and place inch perfect crosses. America fans were on walking eggshells in the days leading up to the game wanting to know if Sambueza would be fit enough to play since he had been carrying a muscle fatigue injury and was subbed out at halftime of the SuperClasico on Sunday against Chivas.
Carlos Darwin Quintero (RW) – 7.0
The Colombian winger was able to turn his performance around in the second half. He had a very forgettable first half, any ball he touched ended up being possessive – and often dangerous counterattacks – for Montreal Impact. But in the second half Quintero participated in more than one goal including his assist to Oribe Peralta in the second Club America goal of the night.
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Oribe Peralta (FW) – 7.5
The typical clinical striker performance where you can be absent the entire game but all of a sudden you are there to score an important goal; that was the night for Mexican international Oribe Peralta. He scored the important second goal which tied the aggregate score but gave America the important away goal advantaged.
Dario Benedetto – 9.0
Hat-Trick hero Benedetto was the star of the night. He looked like he lacked confidence in the first half missing important chances including a tap in that ended up bouncing off the crossbar. But the Argentine is now starting to set himself as that killer striker that America has been missing since the departure of the late Christian “Chucho” Benitez.
Jose Antonio Madueña (CM) – No Rating
Madueña came on as an 82nd minute sub taking Carlos Darwin Quintero’s place.
Michael Arroyo (LW/FW) – No Rating
Arroyo came on as an 85th minute sub taking the place of Oribe Peralta.
Osmar Mares (LB) – No Rating
Mares came on as an 87th minute sub taking the place of Rubens Sambueza
