Here's my take from this match....
Vieira didn't put out his best lineup at the start (and he knew that, hopefully). If he thinks that Ethan White is a starter, were in for a tough season. Ethan White had to fill in for Brillant who would have started if healthy. Still, the backline should have been Mata--Callens--Chanot--Allen. It's a game to win, but it's more a game for experience. Vieira wanted to answer the question of could Chanot play RB? The question of could Chanot play at RB was unanswered because you're only as good as the worst player on your team and Ethan White's play made Vieira switch him to RB and Chanot to CB. We saw RJ Allen come into the match very late, because Vieira must have confidence in him and knows that he can play (he did get the game tying assist). Presesaon matches are 1) to see what players should make the roster and 2) see who your best players are and what the best formation is for those players. Let's hope Brillant gets healthy, so we can test out Mata--Callens--Brillant--Chanot. We didn't see Chanot go forward a lot yesterday and we will need to see that to get an answer on that question.
As talked about, the most surprising thing this preseason has been James Sands. Will he be a starter? I don't think so, but I can see him being the first person off the bench for defensive purposes. We still need someone to cover for Pirlo as evidence by our second allowed goal. So we need some sort of DM as Pirlo cannot play the 6. Will Ring be able to go box to box and cover for Pirlo at the same time. It's been a preseason of questions.
Vieira didn't put out his best lineup at the start (and he knew that, hopefully). If he thinks that Ethan White is a starter, were in for a tough season. Ethan White had to fill in for Brillant who would have started if healthy. Still, the backline should have been Mata--Callens--Chanot--Allen. It's a game to win, but it's more a game for experience. Vieira wanted to answer the question of could Chanot play RB? The question of could Chanot play at RB was unanswered because you're only as good as the worst player on your team and Ethan White's play made Vieira switch him to RB and Chanot to CB. We saw RJ Allen come into the match very late, because Vieira must have confidence in him and knows that he can play (he did get the game tying assist). Presesaon matches are 1) to see what players should make the roster and 2) see who your best players are and what the best formation is for those players. Let's hope Brillant gets healthy, so we can test out Mata--Callens--Brillant--Chanot. We didn't see Chanot go forward a lot yesterday and we will need to see that to get an answer on that question.
As talked about, the most surprising thing this preseason has been James Sands. Will he be a starter? I don't think so, but I can see him being the first person off the bench for defensive purposes. We still need someone to cover for Pirlo as evidence by our second allowed goal. So we need some sort of DM as Pirlo cannot play the 6. Will Ring be able to go box to box and cover for Pirlo at the same time. It's been a preseason of questions.