by Ethan Johnson
October 4, 2008

This was the penultimate regular season home game. Let's do this:

This game was played on Thursday, October 2.

I'll start by noting that the Los Toros banner was back at Center East. Still no Guardia Roja. The Inferno support group was moved from their usual section 116 roost over to next year's sliver in section 131. ESPN mic'ed up the section and gave them far more TV time than the endline spot would have received. Bonus, right?

I really have to invest in a new camera. My old standby is barely passing muster, and night games result in a crapload of blurred out photos. Naturally, next weekend is another night game.

This was another "must win" game for FCD. I won't win friends and influence people, but I view games like this one as a more accurate barometer for FCDs playoff readiness. San Jose is officially an expansion team this year, and has been having an up and down year as to be expected. But they seem to "fail forward", so to speak. Sure, they missed a few goal chances, but they keep chipping away.

Honestly, I was bored off of my ass watching the run of play. The FCD front office messed up my ticket exchange (they gave me a ticket for a PAST game, which didn't go over so well at the gate) and my usual spot was booked up with some local soccer club. San Jose clogged up the middle, sure, but FCD should be playing that vaunted "flank" play that Schellas Hyndman rambles on about to the media, right? Clog away. Coach favorite Bruno Guarda provided lots of that "instant defense" of his until being yanked in the 60th minute.

And of course, San Jose took first blood. Long ball up from the back, 1-v-1 on Sala, paydirt. 1-0 SJ.

Somewhere around the 85th minute, I made my way to the top of the bowl to position myself for a hasty exit. I'm just gonna say this, and if you're offended, tough shit. I don't have a lot of money to spend on sporting events, I work 6 days a week, when I get home whatever can hurt does, and I have a raft of other things I'd rather be doing than watch a team that has no business concerning itself with post-season play shine me on about how close to the post-season they are. The screwed up ticket swap didn't help my mood. Neither did the kids running up and down the aisle next to me. I looked around the rest of the stadium, and all of the other aisles (that I could see) were clear. Just not a good night for me all around. Frankly, I could have and should have caught this on the Tivo when I was good and ready.

In the 88th minute, FCD was awarded a penalty kick for what appears on the replay to be a phantom hand-ball. This was arguably a make-up call for an uncalled penalty earlier in the game. Of course the penalty kick went in, and the "must win" game ended 1-1. This is me, sticking a fork in the season. Others can crow about "must win" or mathematical possibilities/help from other teams, but really, if you can't beat San Jose at home, you shouldn't be in the post-season. I've never been a fan of "if so-and-so wins/loses we get in" scenarios anyway.

I miss the days when I was wet behind the ears and just happy to have a ticket for the game, but the world turns, attitudes change, and life goes on. This is probably just my sophomore slump and I'll be all jazzed up about the mere existence of FCD next season, come what may. This wasn't an ideal season, what with 3 coaches and arguably a blown transfer window. I'm thinking it's best for the team to NOT go to the playoffs and get their act together during the off-season. If Hyndman wants to name his entire extended family to the roster, or Hunt Sports Group decides to just use Pepperoni Park as an events venue, we can make informed decisions at that time. But I cannot and will not do the "blind loyalty" thing. I just don't have that kind of idle time and spare cash. If that makes me the Worst Fan EVAR, great. Life's too short to please strangers.

Let's just get this season over with.

By the way, if FCD indeed does not advance to the playoffs, then I'm most likely done with the MLS season this year. I'm at least that loyal.

Next up: FCD closes the home season with Toronto FC. <EM>

(The full MLS article archive may be found here.)