Pre-match: MiB Matchday 3 - Crew vs Atlanta 8:30pm ESPN 2

Facing Hotlanta in Horlando. Waitaminute...

Dont ask me why but I feel like we are in for a hackfest Tuesday night. But Hypetrain gets chugging along and we walk away with the win...

 

Their fans are gonna rule the day! Just ask them.

 

Bourbon, gin or beer for the game?

 

yes

 

I'm going win by 2. I am going with this on a few key assumptions and truths....

• The assumption that Nagbe and Room are not too banged up and play.
• The assumption that even if there is other squad rotation our depth continues to show insignificant drop off as long as the spine (Zardes, Zelarayan, Nagbe, Mensah, Room) stay the same.
• The truth that Atlanta misses Nagbe as mmore than they miss Josef Martinez.
• The truth that Caleb Porter is a relentless asshole who cares only about winning. And this being the case we can't take him at his word when he downplayed the significance of this tournament. He smells blood and he's gonna make sure his team responds.

 

Okay. Okay. You can join the fan club.

 

Optimistic hang is my favorite hang. I agree on win by 2.

 

Extra L is for loser or you just made a typo.

 

When Porter says the analytics indicate that making 5 or more changes leads to poor results, I trust that he trusts in that. I'd expect some rotation but not a full on squad swap.

Mensah is the one I'm most interested in. He's as fit and as competitive as they come. But he's played 2 full games. Williams and Keita makes a decent amount of sense. Wouldn't be shocked to see that nor would it be any surprise to see Keita and Mensah.

I wouldn't be half surprised to see Artur and Morris getting the start to give Nagbe a rest. Obviously we lose a lot, but if there is any question if Nagbe can go 60+ I think resting him for the knockout is sensible. Nagbe and Berhalter started the last one, swap Arty back in and the other kid.

The rest just goes by fitness and feel. The game means so very little in the grand scheme of things. We've won the group barring some totally wacky scorelines. There may or may not be a regular season for this to count towards. Say they do go ahead with a regular season and rate teams by ppg since no one has the same amount of games. If we lose we're on 2 ppg, which would qualify for the playoffs any year and be close to SS level a lot of times.

That said, whichever players walk out there to start should absolutely stick it in the heart of ATL and give no quarter.

 

After we win what day would our next GM be ?

i agree with the spine being important : ZZ Top , Nagbe and Room are the must start players hopefully we are up multiple goals by 60m so we can sub them out

 

I said win by 1. Assuming at least 1 of Nagbe/Mensah rests. Probably Hector too if anyone else can give LB a go.

We get a full week off until the next game (July 28th) and it is short rest through the rest of the KO round.

 

Nagbe and Room were still being evaluated yesterday, doubt either of them play tomorrow.

 

If we win vs AUFC, do we get a 3rd place team?

 

Ok July 30t

Ok July 30th or Aug 1st so we only need to rest guys to make sure they are not injured we will have plenty of time before qtr final so start your best XI If healthy and hold back anyone who is a risk to have a lingering injury

 

#Crew96 midfielder Darlington Nagbe said the injury at the end of the last win was just a cramp and he’s feeling alright ahead of tomorrow’s game against #ATLUTD.

— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) July 20, 2020

I still would be surprised if he played much tomorrow unless we struggle.

 

So if Room can't go, who's next up? Kempin or Lampson?

 

No our group slots vs the Group D #2 team. We would play at 8pm on 7/28 on ESPN.

https://www.mlssoccer.com/mls-is-back-tournament/bracket

 

I’m am not super excited about relying on Berhalter or Morris in the midfield. Granted Berhalter held his own against red bull but there were too many give aways. I think it’s awesome those two are getting experience but I’d prefer a veteran in that position any day.

 

If he can't handle Adam Jahn, he needs to go to Birmingham.

I would on the other hand like to see Adi get the start. Give Zardes a break and let's see what the guy can do.