So much is so new for Minnesota United and the other 23 remaining teams in this MLS is Back tournament, which is headed toward the last of three group-play games.
Nasal swabbing for coronavirus. Odd 9 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. starting times. Sequestered life in an Orlando resort hotel. Modified substitution rules that allow five players swapped, which is two more than usual.
And then there's what to do with all this stoppage play at both first half and game's end, now that there are extra water breaks based on temperature during games to counter the Florida summer heat.
Loons fans know it well after their team scored twice in eight extra stoppage minutes and beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 in Sunday's tournament opener.
"The more we play, the better for us and the more chances we have to win the game," Loons midfielder Jan Gregus said in a video conference call after Friday night's scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake.
San Jose scored in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage times to beat Vancouver on Wednesday, after the Earthquakes trailed 3-1 as late as the 71st minute.
Loons coach Adrian Heath was asked in a video call a day before Friday's late game, which ended well after midnight, if extra stoppage time is just one more variable that adds excitement and the unknown.
"It was for us and it certainly was [for San Jose], wasn't it?" Heath said. "It's another part. You're looking at the clock and you see 90 minutes and then you see 10 more going up. That becomes a little bit of a shock to your system because mentally in your head, you think of 90 minutes all the time. You're going to have to play to the final whistle. When you see 90, don't get desperate because there could be anything from another 7 to 10 minutes left."
