9/20: McKennie (start) - Schalke v. Mainz

Here's how the boys will line up in just under an hour! ⏳#UpTheMainz #S04M05 pic.twitter.com/U3oGMNIvdO

— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) September 20, 2019

Here is Mainz starting line up.



Will it be Seder or McKennie in the hole behind Burgstaller?

 

TV thinks it's a 4-2-3-1 with McKennie as one of the DMs (on the right). Serdar behind Burgstaller.

Can I just say it's nice to see the standings before a Schalke game where they're in view of the top of the table instead of battling relegation? Feels better.

 

McKennie receives ball at the top of the box, tries dangerous through ball - and the defense blocks it. High-risk high-reward pass attempt that didn't come off.

 

McKennie seems to be playing behind Burgstaller in the first five minutes, more advanced than the TV graphics predicted.

 

Schalke look the better side first eight minutes, but haven't connected on the "final pass" for a good shot yet. McKennie hustling and looks 100%.

 

McKennie springs Harit for a brilliant 60 yard solo run, that leads to a nice through ball to an offside Burgstaller, whose shot is saved anyway. McKennie follows with a clean tackle that is called for a foul because it looked like one if you were squinting.

 

schalke need to be better breaking this press... lol.

 

It was kinda careless tbf.

 

Who is commentating? Complaining that only Burgstaller is in the box when Schalke has attempted crosses ... 18 minutes in, there have been at least five instances of Schalke having four players in the box to receive a cross, but none of the crosses have been that good.

Schalke has introduced some comedy in the last few minutes - turnover leading to a long blocked shot, goalkeeper skills fiasco to give away a corner. Insert obligatory reference to Steffen's foot skills not being good enough for the Bundesliga.

 

I'd call it pointless / an unnecessary risk 90 yards from goal rather than careless, but it was clean. The Mainz player's leg hits McKennie after McKennie gets the ball.

 

Commentators have been drooling over Weston, as they should. He really is a fantastic young player, and has the potential to be a big player. Mckennie and Adams are the present and future of the US midfield.

 

Mainz keeps blocking crosses out for corners. It's not sustainable, but Schalke needs to find Burgstaller or McKennie in the box one of these times. Back to back corners again.

 

Goal for Schalke - Serdar great first touch 10 yards out onto his left for a blast past the keeper who had no time to react. Harit cut back from the corner and played an inch-perfact ball to Serdar. Harit's excellent play continues. McKennie was in the offensive corner with Harit on the play, but it was really a two-man goal.

 

Schalke finding oppertnities

 

The lead we deserve 👌

⏱️ 45' | #S04M05 | 1-0 | #SchalkeUS🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/RUZzVx2ZPg

— Schalke 04 USA🇺🇸 (@s04_us) September 20, 2019

2 +1 - @Amine_000 has been involved in 3 goals in his last 2 #Bundesliga games (2 goals, 1 assist) for @s04_us, as many as in his previous 34 BL games combined. Rise. #S04M05 pic.twitter.com/GEKDqxhsLd

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) September 20, 2019

 

Ok. We can agree to disagree. One is supposed to have some control over one's body. He got ball, but then he got feet, and knee... Anyway, small potatoes.

McKennie's one-touch passing is getting better by the game. He needs improved skills turning and carrying the ball in traffic.

 

Yellow for Weston

 

professional foul to stop a counter. club football really is different

 

McKennie is everywhere

 

McKennie needs to make that pass... too slow of thought.

 

Mainz playing a little better, but Schalke still seems a lot more likely to pick up a second than anything else. We're in classic steal a point territory unless Schalke scores again, though.

 

ill say, im mostly working/looking over when voices get excited and his name is about every twentieth word