1: Barco out there making my takes look like crap. Hey I love being wrong. I will say that this does fit his profile perfectly. He’s hot and cold. More often cold but I’ll take the hot version right now. Also full credit to Barco for letting Moreno take the 2nd PK.  He would certainly be within his rights to go for the hat trick. So, well done Barco, my only concern is that so often we see the boat catch fire, burn too hot and too fast and immediately sink. I hope that doesn’t happen over this next long stretch of home matches. 

2: Having Miles back has had a tremendous impact. The attack had been starting to click but then we started leaking goals. Miles presence helped shore up the defense, at least in open play. 

3: Are we trying to set a record for goals conceded from set pieces? We could actually learn a thing or three from how Columbus defends set pieces. If Nagbe hadn’t been on the back post off of one of our corner kicks, Hernandez scores. Honestly if that kick had been taken against us, I think we look at that ball rippling the net. Also…..I think Kann saves that, and maybe the penalty. I do like Kann over Guz just in terms of shot stopping ability. Guz did have a good stop on the free kick in the 40th that was just outside the box, so that may be a little harsh. 

4: Something that really stood out in this match was how often we kept the play alive. Positioning was better to win second balls, and deflected/saved shots so we could have a 2nd and even 3rd bite at the Apple. Too often an attack has developed, it falls apart and then it comes back the other way. We were much better at winning the ball back in the attacking 3rd. 

5: Almironeno. Marcelino is balling out. He’s playing with freedom, joy and confidence. His work rate is tremendous. He’s connecting the play. He’s taking shots. He’s converting penalties. Boy it’s taken a minute but is he ever coming good. What a time to turn it on too. The chase is on.