I. THE WAY SCORING EARLY SHIFTS THE GAME
When forward Christian Ramirez chipped a shot over New England goalkeeper Matt Turner in the fifth minute to give the home side a 1-0 lead, it was the earliest the Loons had ever scored in an MLS game. (Early enough that everyone in attendance will be able to get a beverage of their choice at Surly Brewing at Sunday’s Pre-Match Party.)
But it also changed the texture of the game quickly. Instead of the teams feeling each other out and meeting punch with counterpunch in the middle third for a while, New England responded by piling on the pressure.