1: It’s very hard to be critical of the team’s play when they are just hit with injury after injury after injury. We’re so injured that Mikey is on the pitch. I mean we are coming to the point of not being able to have a full bench without 2’s call ups which truthfully, Mikey would normally be which truthfully is probably a big reason why the 2’s aren’t doing so well. However, what you cannot do is lose your head at the end of the match and make contact with a ref (who was crap). This was as emotional a game as we’ve played. So much so that cool headed Pineda got a red. It’s not good from Pineda and it’s really not good from Almada who has been outstanding and we really can’t afford to lose anyone else. 

2: Not just any set piece, but the first set piece. Plus an injury. Columbus got their boots to the 2nd as well. Would I still rather us be more shored up on open play defense? Yeah of-course. But damn are set pieces killing us. Teams are really taking their chances against us because I think they know it might very well be their best chance to catch us out. 

3: This is heartbreaking for Gonzo. We’re not getting a good luck at what he can really do. He’s in survival mode. This team is held together by duct tape and defiance. I think Pineda is a good coach. I think his tactics and style fits this team. I think he’s got the players (what’s left of them) playing for him. I just hope he gets just as much credit for keeping this ship afloat as he would if it was full sail and we were sinking everyone else. I hate this for him. 

4: I don’t know what it is about Atlanta that seems to bring the best performances out of lesser opponents, in particular their goal keepers, but it happens all the time. If that little combination and flick in the 30th doesn’t result in a goal, and the shot from Cisneros in the 68th, yeah….. it was gonna take a bicycle from Dom 😆. I don’t know what else to say. World class saves from Room who ironically enough, gave none for a goal. Man of the match performance from him. 

5: Admittedly, I’m getting a little frustrated with the turnout from the fans. I get when a team is crap and doesn’t play well, and you’re not putting an attractive product out on the pitch, your club isn’t going to bring in a crowd. But we’re not crap. We’re not playing badly. But I also get that the casual fan doesn’t care and only sees goals and results. Still, I think we have a really intelligent fan base in this city that understands the game intimately. Credit to the fans that are there. Big credit to the supporters section who can still be heard loud and clear. I just hope the majority understand what this team is right now and why, and support doesn’t waiver further. It would be one thing if we had everyone available to us and it wasn’t clicking. That’s quite clearly not the case. This team is giving us everything, including Josef for 45 which was in no way the plan.