What's on our plates today? We're now gearing up for the playoffs, we know our opponent, and we know who will stand in our way as we march toward the MLS Cup. We know we'll have to face one of the MLS's strong teams, but there's no reason to look glum already: We're going to be as strong as we've been since the beginning of the season.
We had a very serious problem with our side. I don't think they responded well at all to the repeated adversity, whether that came in the form of unjustified red cards, penalties that should never have been given, heartbreaking injuries, long strings of losses — whatever came our way, there may have been too much of it for our side to handle.
Yes, our reliably strong, unshakably confident group let their heads drop, they let their emotions run, and it all came to a head as we lost one — two — three — four! consecutive matches. The side, only just past a point where whispers of the Supporters Shield were raging across the RSL Nation, looked utterly defeated and ready for the end of the season.
But, given the nature of the MLS, the end of the season didn't mean the end of… the season. Oh, you know what I mean. The season-after-the-season! Those playoffs, strange as they may be to some, mean that we still have plenty to play for, and we know it.
So what did we do? Did we just let everything go to hell with the knowledge that, yes, we were into the playoffs, and yes, we had a pretty good chance of getting back into the CONCACAF Champions League? Was that all we were playing for this season? Did we just let it all fade away, firm in the knowledge that there were still trophies out there for us? Did Los Angeles look too strong?
There are plenty of questions to be asked about this side after this season. We're clearly better than we made ourselves out to be, and it's time that we show that.
But as fans, it's important that no matter how many blows we take, we get right back up and we keep urging the team forward at every given opportunity. Did you see Portland's traveling fans, and have you seen Portland at home recently? They've not been super in the league, but their fans have made waves across the nation because they've stood up, they've sung, and they made their support well-known.
I'm not saying anything like, "Let's emulate Portland." That's not who we are. They do, however, provide a shining example of what we can be: Diehard supporters, obsessed and excited, ready to cheer on their team for 90 minutes or more.
Some of our fans hit that mark every match, and it would be terrible to ignore that. Our crowd is brilliant at times, and we need only look at the CCL final to see that we can be the best. But at the worst of times, we've got to keep behind our team: Ignore the referees, ignore the opponents, and let's push our side on. We can start on Saturday, against Seattle. It's time.
Comments