OaM Player Ratings: LA Galaxy

CARLOS CORONEL - 5.0

Juan Mesa: Not at fault on the goals but needs to lead the defense more.

Brit Byrd: Has not been a problem by any means but has not been especially involved in the build-up as was somewhat advertised.

AMRO TAREK - 4.8

J.J. Post: Was at fault for the first goal but earned some points back for his maybe-intentional, maybe-not assist on the Red Bulls’ second.

Ben Cork: Not the worst performer in the backline but as always never seems to be able to channel his large frame and elegant movement into dominance.

SEAN NEALIS - 4.3

Justin Sousa: Completely out of his element in the middle of a back three. Burned by Chicharito in a foot race on multiple occasions in the first half.

Eric Friedlander: Was chasing shadows all afternoon.

Alexander Xenopoulos: Was clearly exposed as the organizing central CB in a 3-man line.

AARON LONG - 4.6

Juan Mesa: A real game to forget.

Ben Cork: Don’t like to speculate based on body language but the urgency of 2018 seems to be gone.

ANDREW GUTMAN - 7.2

Mike Battista: The goal bumps him up, otherwise he’d be with the rest in the sub-5 range. He won most of his duels but still Samuel Grandsir and Chicharito got around him a bit too much.

Justin Sousa: Industrious on either side of the ball today. Excelled with a bit more license to push forward and did not take a shift off tracking back to cover Tarek or the team when the Galaxy tried to counter from set pieces.

FLORIAN VALOT - 4.3

Justin Sousa: Another player out of his element in a new position in a new formation. Gave away the ball in the build-up to the Galaxy’s first goal and was relatively ineffective in the final third with his crosses.

Juan Mesa: Not a wingback but that is on the coaching staff. The turnover though...

Ben Cork: Out of position today but StruberBall in general does not seem to be playing to his strengths.

Ross Haley: Won’t comment on Flo’s performance but applaud his willingness to try new things. Excited to see who starts at right back next week - I hear David Jensen isn’t doing anything.

CRISTIAN CASSERES - 6.3

Justin Sousa: The midfield battle was gritty and energetic, and Casseres matched each player he battled against throughout the game. He came out of almost every 50/50 duel with the ball and got a deserved consolation goal for a strong individual performance.

Ben Cork: Much more active and productive performance when playing from deeper with more space to use.

Eric Friedlander: Got caught out on the third goal not picking up Vazquez who he had plenty of time to get to with good effort. But the goal was a bang bang play that pushes him up.

SEAN DAVIS - 6.1

J.J. Post: The captain continues to be a useful and tireless presence in the midfield, doing his job and quietly advancing the ball without much fanfare throughout the match.

Ben Cork: One of the games where having a solid captain matters. Davis calmed the team technically and emotionally in a chaotic, frequently-interrupted game.

CADEN CLARK - 5.8

Juan Mesa: Invisible in the first half, but much better in the second with closer company.

J.J. Post: While Clark didn’t break any xG meters with a wonder goal this game, he did provide a comfortable presence on the ball and was a persistent contributor to the press as always.

BRIAN WHITE - 5.7

Justin Sousa: Thought he looked much more comfortable playing out in the channels today. He forced a handful of turnovers in the middle third as well that, perhaps in mid-season, led to more goal-scoring chances or goals in general.

FABIO GOMES NETTO - 6.0

J.J. Post: Had a nice strike on goal right after Gutman’s goal, and provided a solid presence up top overall. It’s hard to imagine he won’t find the back of the net eventually.

SUBSTITUTES

DRU YEARWOOD - 5.3

Eric Friedlander: Showed potential but is rusty.

Juan Mesa: Good energy, team was clearly better with him.

KYLE DUNCAN - 5.1

Ben Cork: Helped improve team in the second half, though much of that can be chalked up to merely being the first natural right back Gerhard Struber tried on the day.

CAMERON HARPER - 5.8

J.J. Post: A noticeable plus for the Red Bulls once brought on, the California native was quick, skilled on the ball, and was a part of several nice combination moves in what was a very solid debut.

Ross Haley: Looked like a player who should be on the field more often, perhaps paired with a real striker.

DANIEL ROYER - 5.7

Ben Cork: Livelier substitute performance than last week’s off-pace showing. Effectively combined in final third and twice nearly equalized with difficult strikes.

Ross Haley: While he had a positive impact on the match, the nature of his role is results-oriented. Despite coming close, he did not end up scoring - therefore it wasn’t a good performance.

FRANKIE AMAYA - 5.1

Juan Mesa: Short but promising start, got robbed of a penalty.

MANAGER - GERHARD STRUBER - 4.5

Mike Battista: A lineup shift in a game where you never hold a lead is gonna hurt you. Having five players on defense and still allowing three goals shows Struber still has some kinks to work out with his group.

Ben Cork: Given the circumstances he should probably get team coalesced in one formation before trying to mix things up at this scale. Starting Valot at right back and setting up three center backs to mark a single mobile striker were bizarre decisions thankfully reversed at the half.

Brit Byrd: I worry that Struber is changing so much in these early games that it will be hard for the team to learn anything about itself.

What were your scores for the New York Red Bulls this week? Sound off in the comments below...