Re: Proud Of My Team Im only down, because thats the normal reaction WHEN YOUR TEAM LOSES. Im not full of criticism though. Im proud, we are still the MLS champs, and personally, i think we will get to the Sudamericana again.
Losses like this drive me to drink, but it doesn't make me less proud. If you think about it we were a missed header in stoppage time in RFK from being through. It wasn't for lack of effort, skill, heart etc that we lost, just sometimes thems the breaks.
"Before you win the big games, you have to loose the big games" - Soccer Proverb We're on our way everyone. Its very important we win MLS Cup 05' so we have a chance for int'l glory again, and I think our odds are very good.
I am most proud of those who made the effort to go to Santiago to support DC. Seeing all four of them chanting and screaming and cheering amongst the UC crowd made me really happy.
Where, I wonder, was our Ambassador to Chile and his/her staff? They should have turned out in support. I think the Chileans would have appreciated that as well. I bet Condi and the Prez didn't even know we had a team representing us down there. I know, there are more urgent matters at hand right now, but a simple phone call from the State Dept. to our embassy in Santiago would have sufficed.
As much as I am dissapointe dthat with DCs loss there will be no Brazilian team visiting DC anytime soon, I think they put up a good effort. Its just too bad that they couldn't hold it down for just a few more minutes. I blame the coach on that one.
Yeah...right....blame the coach. I guess its Novak's fault when players miss easy goals and make defensive errors. If you're be gonna sillly and blame the coach then how about I blame it on something just as silly....I blame the Metros...somehow I'm sure their stench creeped all the way from NJ and distracted our players from shooting on goal and defending.
This was exactly my thought when the game was over. This team is only 10 years old. But, when we hoist the Copa Libertadores or World Club Championship trophy someday, we need some battle scars to show that we are worthy!!
I never dreamt I would ever have the privilege of supporting any team in any sport that has been anywhere near as successful as DC United. In the 1960's and early 70's I was a baseball fan, specifically a fan of the hapless to mediocre Minnesota Twins. During that time I was also a fan of the perennial bridesmaid Minnesota Vikings. In the early 1970's, having moved east to the soccer-hotbed DC area, I became a soccer fan. But all we had were the Diplomats and Team America, teams who by and large could barely string thee passes together, much less win anything. Teams which also eventually folded into obscurity, rendering the Washington area a vast wasteland in terms of pro soccer. Enter, come 1996, MLS and DC United. DC United started out bad, but then gelled, and went on to win the MLS Cup and a US Open Cup. Three more MLS Cups, Concacaf Champions Cup, and InterAmerican Cup. And along the way played a lot of just plain beautiful soccer. This team, I strongly believe, has earned our passion, loyalty and support. This is a team that will normally be right there in the thick of the hunt for great things. This is *our* team. Vamos United!
I was pretty pissed at the end of the match (emotionally and the British meaning as well ) but upon reflection, Chico's right. The boys did us proud.
Before the game, those of us who went were talking about what to expect, and the consensus was that we were all scared to death of getting Puma'd. DC came to play, and brought everything they could to the game. Yes, we missed some golden chances, but so did Catolica. (BTW, if Jaime had scored that penalty, DC likely wouldn't have been pressing like they were when they actually scored the second goal.) Things could have turned out better, but the team couldn't have tried harder. The momentum in the stadium was a palpable thing...I hope to hell we're back in this tournament next year, because I think the entire team learned a lot from this experience. I know that as a supporter, I learned a lot, too. As supporters, we've got a long way to go, but we've come a lot further in 10 years than I would have guessed back when MLS launced. Anyways, back on topic, I'm damn proud of the team. I could be happier, but I couldn't be prouder.
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As worthless as it is to echo so many good words, I want to add my voice to the throng. Here are ten good reasons to be filled with hope: 1. It took until the 86th to lose. 2. We underwent ungodly pressure for 50 minutes and it took a less-than-clinical goal to beat us. 3. If played again, Jaime makes the penalty. 4. What was learned will make us a lot tougher in the Cup. 5. We will get a week of rest that only one other team gets. 6. Our boys played with guts and heart and cojones. 7. Jaime will not last forever, but he still has lots left. 8. Christian is an A-mid who can score. 9. Little Nicky looks like he wants to control his box better. 10. With the exception of Benji and Jaime, everyone should be even better next year. A few areas of concern: 1. How much further down the depth chart can Freddy go? 2. Despite the own goal hat trick, I think I like Boswell better in the middle. I don't think we clear the ball as well with Erpen.
With that new nike soccer commercial playing in me head go tell the world...yea we hit a wall be but we gave it all ill never turn my back on these guys the Chile supporters were electric I guess you have to crawl before you can walk..
Sure, I was depressed all day yesterday, but the team has noting to be ashamed of. You can point out individual breakdowns, but it's a team sport and the team as a whole played pretty well. Losing 3-2 in that environment is a pretty good showing, but we failed to take advantage in the home leg.