A brief overview. 22 of 24 clubs are on the list (no Montreal or Vancouver, not shockingly). ATL Robinson, Bello, Goslin, Carleton, Kunga, Vazquez CHI Reynolds, Gutjahr, Mihailovic COL Raben, Vines, Bassett, Hundley CLB Keita, Williams DC Pines, Durkin, Bustamante CIN McCabe, Amaya, Dally DAL Cannon, Reynolds, Nelson, Cerrillo, Servania, Pomykal, Roberts, Ferreira, Sealy HOU McCue LAFC Ejimadu, Batista, Brewer, Perez LAG Vom Steeg, Araujo, Arellano, Cuello....Alvarez MIN Dotson, Toye NE Angking, Jones, Rennicks NYCFC Scally, Haak, Parks, Sands, Torres, Lewis NYRB Duncan, Nealis, Fernandez, Mines ORL Stajduhar, Acosta, Lindley, da Silva, Michel, Patino PHI Freese, McKenzie, Trusty, Real, Jones, Aaronson, Fontana POR Farfan, Williamson, Ebobisse RSL Ochoa, Lennon, Glad, Herrera, Arriaga, Saucedo, Schmitt, Vazquez SJ Marcinkowski, Akanyirige, Calvillo, Yueill, Cowell, Fuentes, Haji SEA Muse SKC Lindsey, Kuzain, Busio, Freeman TOR Akinola, Dorsey
perhaps no mckenzie because he’s going to the u20s and won’t get mls minutes until after the tournament?
No, Elliott seems to have beat him out for a CB spot. I think he's better than Elliott, but he did rotate with Elliott at points last season. Its not that unlikely that Elliott might've had a better preseason, and therefore he's now starting. Elliott also started the most recent preseason game.
Bradley's goal is a decent shout for Derrick Jones. Brutal ball-watching from Medunjanin, who isn't an ideal fit at the #6.
I wasn't sure about Aaronson making the 18 consistently, but thats good news. Union doesn't have much offensive depth, so he could get some minutes this season. Sands starting is a complete surprise. He was a back up all preseason. They are starting three #6's today, so that might have something to do with it. Will Sands play much when they don't play such a defensive lineup? I didn't even think he'd start the season on the bench though, so I was way off with that. Scally not making the bench is a little surprising. He appears to be the back up RB, but maybe they don't feel the need to have two RB's in the 18, and they think someone else can fill in at RB, if Tinnerholm exits the game.
Mueller and Acosta have been active, some good moments from them. Lewis, aside from his assist, hasn’t gotten on the ball much. He did have 1 or 2 giveaways
I like what I'm seeing from Sands at the half. He drops into a /center back role while defending and into the DM role when attacking. He's done well to break up play a few times and had some nice passes to push the ball forward. Solid so far. To be honest, Lewis has been poor thus far and Acosta has been decent.
Cerillo, Pomykal and Ferreira on the bench for FCD. Fernandez and Duncan starting for RBNY with Mines on the bench.
Quite frankly, I am shocked that Duncan is starting this game. He is going to have to play midweek against Santos because Murillo got himself suspended for the game with dumbassery in the first 2 legs. It seemed the time to play Murillo HERE and save Duncan's legs (he is returning from injury and hasn't played a ton) for the game against Santos. I think it is a mistake tactically by Armas, but since he is playing, I hope he plays well. Edit: I see now that Murillo IS playing, in addition to Duncan. Quite interesting.
Cannon does start for FC Dallas and John Nelson is on the bench as well. DeJuan Jones and Justin Rennicks on the bench for New England. Sean Nealis is also on the bench for NYRB. JJ Williams is on the bench for Columbus (listed as Jerome Williams on MLS box score).
Lennon and Herrera start for RSL. Saucedo is on the bench. Glad apparently has a broken toe. Toye and Dotson start on the bench for Minnesota.
Duncan played really well for #RBNY. He’s being taken out early as he will be starting midweek vs Santos Laguna in the #CCL. Looks like a promising prospect. Meanwhile, Omir Fernandez has drawn a ton of fouls. https://t.co/uIUlbopk5r— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) March 2, 2019
Bassett gets subbed out at the 40th min for tactical purposes with Colorado down a man. Thought he was solid in his minutes.
It's a strange change because Bassett was not doing it wrong, but apparently the coach will try to pose a more defensive game and keep the result.
Agree, Colorado was playing well for that stretch after the red. They were playing very well before the red.