There is only one thing to be done when the season finally looks to be picking up ... again ... and I’ve just done it. That’s right! I’m spinning some Devo (New Traditionalists, if you must know) and enjoying a mantra that permeates the band’s attitude: We’re through being cool!
That’s right! We’ve gone from being the underdog darlings of the MLS (everyone always secretly thought LA Galaxy were the team this year, but the cooing in our direction was hard to ignore) to that team that’s tipped to, you know, make a playoff spot and maybe do alright there. But now that we’re approaching a point where second in the league is a reasonable expectation and the Supporters’ Shield is somehow still in reach (what a strange league!) — well, nobody’s making eyes at us now, are they?
Now we’re showing that famed mental strength (my apologies for the use of this trite, meaningless phrase) on a regular basis — three wins in five isn’t so bad given our situation, right? — we hopefully look to be past the point of repeated capitulations (oh, please say it’s so!). With the appearance of our forward line again and the devotion to the cause from our uniformed men, it’s time that we get the season rolling properly instead of, you know, going under, as we so ominously threatened to for several months. For a few weeks in May and June, it was very much the title race of doom — we win, we’re perfect, we lose, we’re terrible. Not quite accurate, thankfully.
Under normal circumstances our reserves wouldn’t need to be depleted, but our situation is strengthened as a result — that’s the super thing. Collen Warner is finally looking like he can track back properly and still contribute offensively, Arturo Alvarez looks to have turned a corner, Luis Gil is growing into his role quite well, Cody Arnoux and Paulo Jr. are actually turning up on the pitch, our captain has added assists and goals to his game like never before, Chris Schuler can communicate and perform without numerous mistakes entering his game, and, well, just about everything has improved. It’s been forced improvement, but better evolution than devolution in these tough circumstances. You never want improvement to come at the expense of a season, and that’s not yet happened, but if it happens, we’ll be in a stronger position next year.
Regardless, the future holds for us a beautiful world.
Does anybody think we can get “Through Being Cool” played next time we play at the RioT? It’s the triumphant anthem this team needs right now. Also, Devo’s still “cool,” right? Perhaps I have my decades messed up a bit.
Freddy Adu and the Big Boo
Right, if you were in the stadium or watching on TV on Saturday, you undoubtedly heard booing when Freddy Adu (once the 14-year-old savior of Americans in the soccer world) entered the field for Philadelphia Union. As he, you know, used to play for us, reaction was quite mixed to this act. It’s not unusual for our side to boo the opposition (and the referees, or what I’d call the moral opposition) and for us to boo big-name players, especially if they’re seen to have attitudes. If he played for the Rapids, we’d even boo Lionel Messi, I think. (While we’re thinking about wholly unrealistic circumstances, I’d like a pony.)
I can’t say I hate the booing, but it was probably unjustified toward the individual. I’m inclined to think that it was more a result of the media buildup around him and the fact that he just wasn’t as good as was so frequently stated — not because he was a ridiculous git particularly. I have my ideological issues with how he’s handled his career, but that doesn’t really carry over to him as a person as far as I’m concerned.
And hey, we got Nick Rimando out of the deal. I mean, really? We traded Jay Nolly and some consideration nonsense for Nick Rimando? I’m always shocked by that.
‘Til tomorrow. Up the RSL!
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