Cunningham seeks protection from fans in some loving arms.
So half the soccer blog-o-sphere wants to give their own take on what happened last weekend, and after a couple days off to make sense of it all, I think we're all finally ready to say what needs to be said:
It was all FC Dallas's fault.
The weeks leading up to the 30th game were, for the lack of a better term, unbearable. With D.C. floundering, Colorado tying and Toronto fans bad-mouthing, it seemed inevitable that we were going to have a lot of unhappy people come the last week. That's when FCD struck gold.
In week 26 the golden boot of Cunningham started it all; a two goal performance that left Real Salt Lake saying, "Why did we even bother," and better yet, "just give them a damn playoff spot already." If only we had listened.
After a pirouette and a similarly dance-like shot, Cunningham was well on his way to ruining the playoffs for all of us, as only a team without a real glimmer of hope can attest to. The miracle run of four wins brought FC Dallas figuratively within striking distance coming into their final game of the season against the Sounders.
Now I'll acknowledge that I bought it. I believed in FC Dallas. I thought Cunningham was the bee's knees (that is what the kids are saying, right?). America finally had something to believe in. No more of this socialized medicine to worry about, and no more disgruntled conversations at the water cooler over when the boss was going to bring back casual Friday. No, this was a time for the good life, and FC Dallas gave it to us.
Entering into the final week, all MLS fans knew that they would be facing a couple pretty long nights. Thursday was a night where Chicago could finally clinch, or Chivas could put Columbus in a must-win situation to win the Supporters' Shield. Because of the 1-0 victory to the home side, a lot of that pent-up anticipation was left to be resolved on Saturday, when the final table would be more a less a lock.
The early game featuring New York and Toronto left people drooling for what was to come later, as the loss by TFC would result in a C.F. in a couple of hours. Next, D.C. tied to K.C. in the last minutes, allowing the chain of dominoes to begin their quest towards an FC Dallas appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Sweat poured from fans across the nation, praying that the miraculous would happen... a miracle on grass, if you will. We waited, hoped, dreamed and sat watching the match tracker as the simultaneous matches took place.
Oh ho! Real Salt Lake looks like they can take on Colorado! What joyous news! What elation....
And without breaking a moment our collective thoughts all combined towards hatred as Brad Evans scored what would be the winning goal for Seattle.
America, I give you the goat, and yes, it is you.
All those weeks, the discussions, the forums, the belief. It all came down to one last game and they failed to produce. FC Dallas put on a ruse, sucking in the very souls of soccer fans, spitting it out, and killing us all a little inside. How could we be so foolish? Did we actually believe in love at first sight? Who the hell put the thought of happiness in an American soccer fan's head?
But what's worse? They are 11th in the league. When people look back on the season, all they will know is that FC Dallas came two spots away from being the first team out. They won't remember a great run, nor the amount of support they received during their stretch. The fact that they were not even close to making it is what will be remembered, and not one person (besides Dallas) will know.
So thanks, FCD, for the good times. I won't remember them come next year, but believe me, the damage to that part of my brain will be permanent. Like the girl that every so often appears on the street corner, the times are good while they last, but the Burn lasts forever.
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