Kind of looks like a four man backline with Brooks at LCB, which would be a changeup. Then again, they conceded six goals last week, so tough to blame a manager for trying something different. Brooks nice headed clearance, and on next play, gets a little lucky completing a tackle after unintentionally going down. Bornauw made a big mistake that led to a huge 1 v 1 where Casteels made a huge save. Brooks was chasing it down but had no chance to get there in time to block the initial shot.
Brooks epic longball from midfield over the whole defense. Kruse's first touch, receiving the ball over his shoulder, is brilliant, leading Nmecha into the box where he is taken down for a PK.
VAR upgrades the penalty to a red card for a foul as the last man with no attempt to play the ball. Kruse makes the penalty; 2-0 and up a man. I think I hear the crowd chanting to put in Paredes already.
3-0 Wolfsburg now - Another great ball over the top, not Brooks this time, for a first time volleyed cross and clean finish back across the face of goal by Kruse.
Wolfsburg use their third and fourth subs on people not named Paredes (Philipp, Mbabu, the other Nmecha, and Bialek have all come in). Still has a window available, though. Brooks arguably could have done a better job preventing one of Mainz's two shots this half, but has been solid in a relatively easy situation.
Brooks important late clearance to keep the shutout going. Then, bites on an ill-fated attempt at a loose ball, and his man gets free for a 1v1. Great save by Pervan saves him blushes, though it may have been offside anyway. Koln inexplicably celebrate the loss post-match.
Volume down while watching this game as well as Musah/Valencia and CP/Chelsea on multiple screens. Can someone tell me why the Koln fans stormed the field after a loss and are tearing apart the nets and the grass? I don’t see that they’re qualified for Europa league. What is it?
Brooks starts vs Bayern Munich. Malik Tillman on the bench, Paredes not on the bench. Barring a USMNT callup, last Brooks match in months, and no idea where he'll play next season.
Stanisic scores a header off of a corner to put BM up 1-0. Brooks wasn't guarding him, but tried to get there to break it up and came up a little short.
Musiala goal. He was cutting across, the defense, and Brooks stepped up to challenge, so Musiala passes wide to Mueller. Brooks does not track Musiala for some reason, and Mueller feeds it right back to him for a solid finish far post. Brooks will deserve criticism - wasn't doing anything of use.
Goal called back because Davies was busy running into the keeper in an offside position. Way to go, Canada. Still 1-0.
Brooks header over the goal - was getting run into from behind, and that challenge probably kept him from putting it low.
Announcers bemoaning Wolfsburg losing Brooks for free in the offseason. She we tell them that the USMNT appears to be happily giving up on him and don't even have to meet his wage demands?
Lewandowski heads home an extremely well-placed pass from Mueller. It was placed too high for Brooks to get to, and Lacroix can't do enough to stop Lewa. 2-0, and I can't even demand they bring on Paredes.