In terms of the lineup, good and bad. The Good: some of the guys who were unavailable for the first game (Santos, Valenzuela, Adi) are available. Pedro is starting. The bad (or at least the surprising): the lineup. Santos starting is a given if healthy. Coachbot seems to prefer 1 wide/speed guy and 1 inside guy, so while Etienne starting is a bit of a shock, I guess it makes sense if Pedro is on the right. And he gets a chance vs his former team. Cadden & Williams are less surprising. Though I prefer Afful & Keita, I get it. Berhalter getting a start vs NYRB's press is a shocker. Francis & Hamilton both still unavailable. One of those has to be the COVID+. Assuming Kempin on loan. Still, 5 changes, after cakewalk? When you used 5 subs? Less optimistic on the win.
Interesting that we are playing 3G ball tonight. In possession, we are putting Berhalter between the CBs, a la Trapp, with both FBs pushed up. Gotta be trying to keep the game in front of Berhalter.
Zardes with a chance on a header. Tad behind him. Mensah with a blunder clearance, but we escape. That's his Mensah Moment for this match, hopefully.
Goal Zardes! Nice play off a throw in near midfield. Cadden (I think?) took it quick & led Santos into space. Pedro makes a good run and nice pass to put Zardes in. Solid left foot finish.
Looked like he was channeling Mark Shulte. (Btw, Shulte got his PhD so I retract all the things I yelled at him)