2017 Game 1: CLB v. CHI 3/4/17

Normally, I don't have time to write anything after a game. Also, I don't feel like it when my actual day job is compiling lots of data and writing. But the 2:00 game made it possible for me to rewatch the game at the same time of day, and bring you some thoughts! (Hopefully Podcast For Columbus will be up and running soon so you can hear my beautiful voice.)

Player rankings:
Abu – 7
Afful – 8
Finlay – 9
Higuain – 4
Kamara – 6
Mensah – 6
Meram – 7
Næss – 7
Raitala – 8
Steffen – 8
Trapp – 4
Artur – 5
Jahn – 5
(Subs made no impact whatsoever)
Gregg – 5 for wasting a substitution and not taking Pipa off and putting an attacker on
Referee – 8, surprisingly. Honestly, he should’ve given more yellow cards to Mensah and Trapp, and he ignored the points of emphasis from PRO on encroachment a couple of times.

Pipa and Trapp were dreadful, in my opinion. Why Tchani has fallen out of favor is beyond me.

Mensah had a few howlers in the last half hour, but I chalk that up to the defense still needing to gel.

I was most excited about Rataila I was LOVING him. Næss also had a few questionable decisions, again, chalking it up to gelling

I think we played better than last season, but I'm most worried that we did the exact same thing as last season - KILLED it the first half... then kind of dropped off kicking the ball around to kill time in the final third, until we panicked, gave a crap goal, and almost lost the game. I know I'm a broken record, but I will say at this point that this is the team still gelling.

In hindsight, I wish that we would have had our first game away. What made the lost points of this game hurt so much was that they were at home. Away, a point would've been great. (As I type this, Atlanta and RBNY are tied, which would be a glorious result.)

I was most happy that Finlay had a great game. He showed his work ethic, and scored the only goal of a game, with his HEAD, no less! I only had a "what are you doing moment" twice in the game, once when he did an unnecessary heel pass at 29', and one other wasted chance later. He kept the ball in play with some great filth. He also had great crosses.

Meram also stood out with his great passing and crossing. He had a perfect opportunity early in the game, 3', but he shot it right at the goalkeeper.

Rataila had some great passing as well, and has a laser shot!

Speaking of great crossing, why is Pipa still taking corners? Why don't our great crossers, Finlay or Meram or Rataila or Afful, take the corners??

Ola was also slightly disappointing, but I'm hoping that it's due to health issues. I said all last season he could be a prolific goalscorer if he scored all of the goals that should've gone in! He had two of those moments this game. Once in 8' and once in 10'.

A couple of off-the-field notes. The Section 105 Rowdies were screaming "Alex, Alex, Alex" to Crognale, and he gave us some love.

Also, the away section appeared to have moved from the great spot on the South End to a terrible corner section. I hope that Bridgeview doesn't move us to the upper deck in Toyota Park!