This One Hurt
I just realized that the loss to New England this year seems to hurt more than the loss to Chicago. Maybe it's because we were so thoroughly slapped around in 2005 that the entire experience shell-shocked you into numbness, then you were able to quickly put it behind you. But this one lingers with the most dangerous of emotions, the "what might have been" wistfulness. I like that in my music choices, I hate it in my soccer.
Anyways, I do plan to write about Nowak sometime soon. I've settled things in my head, and my thanks to all the commenters who've been doing their part to get views out. We're going to be mature and reasoned about this, and that's cool with me. I dig that.
posted by D @ 10:03 AM
7 Comments:
I can't agree with you on this...last year was MUCH worse, at least for me. Last year was so thoroughly embarrassing that it was painful to watch. After the last three months, and last week's near miss against NYRB, this wasn't that surprising. Frustrting, yes. But not surprising, and at least to me, not as painful. In a lot of ways, the surprise would have been a win, and then there would have been questions asking where that type of effort had been the last three months, and why they hadn't been able to put a performance together for such a long period of time.
D,
I agree with tom. The bitch slapping in Mexico, the collapse in Chile, and the massacre at RFK were much tougher for me to swallow than this year's predictable (but at least moderately dignified) playoff exit.
DCU had a good year. Not a great year but a good year. The playoff exit was unfortunate but its still good to get that far-- and it was better than last year. Now I'd like to see the team come out focused and fiery when it plays in February. No excuses about off-season cobwebs. Show up well on the international scene and this loss will seem like small potatoes. US club level soccer needs to start to show up internationally, and DCU should be the team to lead the way. (think about how painful it would be to see some other MLS team have tremendous international success instead-- good for the league of course, but I'd rather it be DC.)
-K
Here's a thought. Does MLS (or United) have any systems in place where coaches can travel to some of the European teams to learn their techniques for training and man management? It seems to me that this might be what Nowak needs. To spend a couple days taking notes from another coach and comparing his own training techniques.
Well, if it's any consolation, I started this post by admitting DC was the better team. Then again, that's likely as anything to make it all more frustrating.
Anyway, that post deals with the elation and pain that comes with spectator sports...though without offering much to explain what makes that happen. I imagine it's something to do with dopamine...
In any case, you have my condolences. Tough season.
Ah, while I'm hear, I did post something else - this one having to do with what I think sunk DC: their role-players - e.g. the grunts - lost confidence. I singled out Josh Gros who very quietly started faltering down the stretch, but it went to a lot of players. I raise this point because Nowak's name came up: as another commenter pointed out, I'd only suggest he's only responsible insofar as he didn't pick up on who was on or off.
Again, you have my condolences.
OK, here you go I'll tell you why (for me persoanally) this year was 10 times harder to take than last. WE WERE THE BETTER TEAM! Had we come into this match, played the same as we had since july, and lost, no problem, thats what everyone expected, get over it. But no, of course United wouldn't do that. They had to go and turn it around at the last minute, give us the fans a taste of hope, and then smash it in our faces with their innability to put a point on the board. I agree with the original post fully, and to make things worse, every decision and move Nowak made in the match seem completely obvious to be counterproductive to a win. I mean you tell me whats worse. Getting the shit kicked outta you, or shooting yourself in the foot? Personally I'd take the former judging that I can at least keep some shred of dignity in knowing that I had no part in my own demise. Just me though.
I guess that's the thing, and why this was probably a personal reaction. Chicago left me determined, angry, wanting to do something. New England left me at a loss. I also think Anon feels some of what I do, but that's soccer. I can't say that my emotion is right, and I can certainly understand where Tom and Nick are coming from on this. It's just a thing.
Post a Comment
<< Return to The DCenters Main Page (HOME)