The first 20-25 minutes of each half in Nashville were vast improvements over just about anything that happened in the Chicago game. Sounds odd given the poor performance, but we had maybe only 10 minutes at the beginning of the 2nd half in Chicago where the team played ok.
Defensivley we were just as poor at the wing back position and Keon Daniel had a worst game at left midfield than he did in the semifinal stage encounter. But we were far more solid at center back. The two man center midfield of De Leon and Birchie had too much work to do, but all in all were better in intensity and possession than the 3 man center mid we had in Chicago, for the most part.
We also made a lot more (half) chances this game. Stern held up the ball and distributed it well, compared to Cornell who can't play that role as well. But in terms of chances to score:
1) We had a powerful header off a corner, that KJ of all people accidentally blocked. It may not have scored, but it was goal bound and was a chance.
2) Carlos had a perfect low cross to the penalty spot that KJ should have attacked in the 1st half,
3) Stern's chest trap and overhead kick was another decent half chance
4) Stern mistrapped when free at the far post from another inch perfect cross from Carlos in the 2nd half
5) KJ blazed over the bar after a good cross from Hyland and dummy from Stern
6) Keon had a chance at a well placed direct free kick...but some refs would have given a penalty for Mastroeni's hand ball leading up to it.
7) Scotland was clear on goalbut never controlled the ball well and it was bubbling up on him, allowing Hejduk to come in and sweep the ball away.
Idon't recall more than 1 decent half chance from the Chicago game.
In addition, Carlos, who was our m.o.m in Chicago (great energy, but his touch was a lil off last time) had a superb game last night. He had Beasley's number, but we don't have the kind of ball movement in transition to consistently keep him in the game....instead we get to see what he can do in spurts.
Unfortunately, our performance fell off really badly at the end of the 1st half and maybe 1/2 through the 2nd half, to the point that both games started to look identical leaving just as bad a taste at the final whiste. BUt when the disappointemnt wears off, and you look back at the whole game...we were better last nite imo.
