Match is on FSW at 11:30 AM EST (LIVE). Berhalter supposed to start, I can attempt to do some PBP for the first half if he does.
KO Bayer in red, Cottbus in right. Raining heavily in Leverkusen. Berhalter seems to be marshalling the Cottbus defense early, yelling out commands and pointing.
Only one away win in eight tries for Cottbus this year. Looks cold as well as wet in Leverkusen. 5' gone
Cottbus looking a bit more dangerous so far, not much for Berhalter to do in defense. Gregg up into the area for a CK....claimed by Butt. Dangerous cross in for Cottbus, out for CK, Berhalter up again, comes to nothing.
With Ramelow forced into midfield for Bayer today, more evidence that they probably would have used Donovan if he had chosed to come. Gregg clears away a cross from the 6yd. box, nice slide.
Foul on Greg, concedes a FK 40 yards out on right wing. Bent in, great header by Novotny, Lenz with an excellent full stretch save to keep it 0-0. CK Bayer, Berhalter warned by ref for shirt grabbing in marking. Now Cottbus on the counter.....GOAL! Excellent 1v1, but keeper is beaten badly at the near post by...Gebhardt
Goal came at 15', 1-0 to Cottbus. After some time, Berhalter clears weakly with his left, out for BL throw. Berhalter wins 50/50 header outside area, but foul called...looked clean to me. Gregg helps clear a poor GK, not far enough, attack develops, BL shot, save Lenz
Berhalter breaks up a dangerous attack coming in from wing, wins footrace to loose ball (w/ Neuvile?). FK Bayer 35 out, Neuvile hits into wall... Behalter shuts down Simak in the box and earns a GK. 25' gone
Cottbus with a good diving header attempt in box, out for CK. CK very dangerous, Novotny can't clear, Berhalter almost with a chance, out for another CK that comes to nothing. Whistles for Butt when he catches an easy cross. Another FK for BL, 35 out on right wing, cleared...Cottbus needs to stop giving these up.
Berhalter intercepts through ball attempt by Babic. 30' gone Behalter gets to through ball intended for Simak first, sliding clear for BL throw. GOAL, on the counter again for Cottbus! 2-0
Topic with the goal, Wagner with a great bending, rolling, low cross in behind the last defender (Juan?) who just got beaten back. Cottbus dangerous again, lots of whistling from the home fans.
Berhalter and Novotny yapping at each other after a failed BL corner. Gregg's a bit chippy, isn't he?
My last post, gotta run to my own match, hopefully my positioning in net will be better than Butt Berhalter interecepts another cross into his area with an overhead kick, complimented by teammates. Resulting CK Bayer, Lenz claims. Nice work by Cottbus down right wing, earn a CK. Greg up in the box again....CK is short and cleared by BL. Sustained buildup/possession by BL, leads to a CK for BL. Novotny fouls Greg on CK. Okay, gotta run, hopefully Buff or someone else can take over the last 5' here and the 2nd half.