Dispatches from the Front

My real life job involves the mortgage banking industry at the moment. As you can imagine, it's been ridiculously busy, and I've spent much of the last two months on the road or drowning in work, which meant less time for my love here. That does not excuse neglecting a lover though, and it is clear my lack of attention is straining this relationship. As I have been on the road, and have followed the matches from afar. The news has been negative, and it seems to me that each game could have been a letter from a series of battles each worse than before...

[CUE: Ken Burns Civil War Music]

My beloved D,

Our brave campaign has taken us to Honduras, where we face a battle that we must win to keep hope alive of an international success. I do not question the Rightness of our most Noble Cause, but the men around me are tired. We must rise again and go forth into the grassy pitch to wage our war, but it is a long journey we have undertaken. To rise is imperative, but even now our provisions seem dark. I remain,

D.C. United

My beloved D,

Having lost Honduras, we move to Mexico, a last gambit to reclaim a hope of glory to the Noble Cause. In such circumstances it is easy to desire a long respite from this struggle, but still we fight. I can only hope that you remember the long sacrifices we put forward, and pray that deliverance from this long night will soon be at hand.

I remain,

D.C. United

D,

The international campaign is lost, though certainly there are battles left to be fought, it is merely a matter of how we are seen to quit the field. We hope now to retain our hopes domestically, but the provisions are scarce, the men wounded, and our ability to mount an offensive blunted by the exertions to date. We shall be resolute in our defense, but these men have suffered much, and time is an enemy more tireless than the tide itself. Even now the southern generals shall press their advantage, and I can only hope that we can repel such monsters of hell that they throw at us.

I remain,

D.C. United

D,

It seems now that all is lost. Generals Moreno and Emilio have been taken from the field, though perhaps the return of the little Doll can revive our fortunes. Still, the enemy has come to our very borders, and the hope of retaining the Capitol seems slight. There is a vast storm at work, and it is dark. I am reminded of the poet Whitman, who wrote "Does the tide hurry, seeking something, and never give up? O I the same." But even these forces may pale when the day is done. All that is left is honor in our remaining battles, for nothing else of consequence remains to be won or retained. And that must be enough, to one day regroup and reaffirm our place in this dark, dark firmament.

I remain,

D.C. United

Well, at least they'll be home by Christmas. Or much before.