by Ethan Johnson
October 4, 2007
And now for something completely different: The 2007 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final. This is a yearly competition (and the way it drags on, it feels yearly) against Major League Soccer, the United Soccer Leagues (USL), and a bevy of amateur rec leagues across the country. Since this is effectively the major league versus the minor league(s), it should come as little surprise that two MLS teams ended up in the final: FC Dallas and the New England Revolution. FCD has been, in the words of Joe Namath, strug-a-ling lately, whereas New England has been pretty much coasting to the playoffs, led by Taylor Twellman and Pat Noonan. On a production note, because this is not an MLS game, I have been very generous with the bi-partisan photos, as you will see anon. Let's go directly to YOUR investigative bullet points in stunning high definition, sponsored by the glass that visiting Houston fans didn't break in the parking lot, and I didn't run over on my way into the park last night, and therefore didn't pry chunks of glass out of my tire:
- Since this was effectively a "one off" game, I bought tickets in the fancy section: Sideline West, section 107. Holy crap! That's the place to be if you're taking photos of the game from the stands. Nice. And despite the reputation as being "the library" or "prawn sandwich" seats, the crowd got LOUD, as did I, and I can't believe I have any voice left after 2 games in 4 days. I wasn't fully recovered from Sunday as it was.
- Sunil Gulati was on hand for the proceedings, and he shook off the constant cries of "fire [US Women's National Team Coach Greg] Ryan!" Interesting that once people knew who he was, the calls for Ryan's head rained down.
- There was a limit on how many international players could be on the roster, and after much speculation about who would be excluded, they zigged instead of zagged, and absent completely from the proceedings was... Denilson. (Insert Dragnet sound clip here.) Ricardinho was in the stands wearing a suit behind me for some part of the game, and it didn't dawn on me until I saw him again later. I guess I expected him to be on the bench anyway, but apparently you can't sit on the bench unless you're technically available for that game.
- Win or lose, the Verizon Club was open to all after the game, and the FCD players were "made available" for about 30 minutes to glad-hand and sign pretty much anything. Some players got more mobbed than others, but the whole affair was pretty laid back and it was great to put in some face time with the players and the coach. I got Juan Toja's autograph for Marlena. Across a photo of Carlos Ruiz, but I handed him what I had on hand.
- The players and coaches were expecting that every interaction was going to involve autographing something, and thus were thrown off by me thrusting my hand out for a handshake and a few words. Coach Morrow came along, and I told him the game was exciting, especially after that Houston mess. Exciting, but. (Shrug, laugh.) Exciting... but. (Morrow grimaced, and non-verbally agreed that there wasn't much more to be said than that.) In fairness, I wanted to give him some air because I figure someone would corner him and demand to know why they didn't play a 2-5-3 formation or why [player] wasn't subbed in. Meh. Game's over, the end.
- I had an actual conversation with Drew Moor before heading home. See, this is what's great about MLS and FCD: There is so much emphasis placed on fan relationships that unlike other major sports, there's not this weird halo around the team or individual players. Anyway, I told Moor that sadly, I reviewed the tape from the Houston game, and the corner kick that he disputed (to the tune of kicking the ball at the linesman) actually was a Houston corner kick. I told him that since it happened right in front of us (my friend and I) we thought Moor was correct in disputing the call, but no, the replay wasn't on our side. He said that the ref told him after the game that they considered carding him, and he told them to chill out. We agreed that the ref crew for that game needed to go back to ref school - although that suggests that there was a first time.
- Alex Yi took a shot that was pretty scary. Someone kicked the ball hard into his face (!) which resounded through the stadium. At first, he was going to play through it, and then dropped to the turf. I really thought he had a broken nose. Apparently, he got a concussion. However, he was in the Verizon Club signing [stuff] and talking with the fans. Someone beat me to it and asked if he was OK. "Yeah, good thing I don't remember any of it," he joked. I don't expect to see him in action for the Columbus game this weekend.
- Kenny Cooper is back! He's a fan favorite, but speaking frankly I found him to be somewhat aloof. I stood back to watch the players filter in and meet the crowds and Cooper doesn't strike me as being particularly into it. For various reasons, he could have been having a down moment and gave the wrong impression, but the last few times I've seen him around at PHP he seems off in his own world. I guess months of rehab on his broken leg will do that. Anyway, as was the case with Alex Yi, I told him I was glad to see him back on the field.
- A small yet vocal contingent of New England fans were on hand for the game. I shook hands with a few after the game (figured it was good fan karma) and one (maybe "patfan1"?) made a point of telling me "you guys always treat us with class." I told him that they're a relief after the Houston debacle. But seriously, the New England crowd is a great example of how a rivalry can be fun for everyone, rather than ridiculous.
- OK: Listen up, FCD defenders: Quit playing the ball forward!! I'll skip the stock speech about "air" between the center line and Dario Sala and say that if David Wagenfuhr is taking the ball to the net and it's not a set piece, that's bad news. The fans loved it, but I'm quirky that way and figure that a) there was a horrible breakdown on the offensive side of the ball, and b) that's one less defender if NER boots the ball down the field.
- Speaking of quirks, I met erstwhile Big Soccer forum goon Zé Bill. His computer is still fried, and hasn't rushed out to fix it. We talked a little bit about the uniform colors (he has a thing for uniforms) and he told me that his new pecadillo concerns the aesthetic of the goal box. I'm not hugely concerned with either (though I like the goal boxes at PHP - I don't care for the rec league boxes that say, Houston uses), and prefer things like the defenders defending, and the scorers scoring.
- And for a good stretch of the first half, just what I was hoping for: Defenders defending, goalies saving, forwards forwarding, all good. NER struck first, and I'm saying right now that there should be a formal roster change: Pat "Fucking" Noonan. Hint: Might want to mark that guy.
- FCD kept things interesting, at the expense of my voice, but they generously gave the Cup to New England 3-2 in regulation. I didn't know that NER had previously been denied every trophy imaginable, so I'm happy for them, especially the fans who flew in for this. The NER crowd got to bunch up closer to the team while they celebrated the win, and FCD players and brass went over to thank the Inferno. Despite the loss, a great night for soccer in America. If you're missing out, you're missing out. Seriously.
Click on the thumbnails to see the full-sized image. Enjoy!
Next home game is on October 11 against Chivas USA. I might hang around the player exit for that one to meet Brad Guzan. He's just dreamy! OK, or not. <EM>
(Much, much more virtual ink has been spilled by me about Major League Soccer. The fledgling but growing MLS article archive may be found here.)
Thanks for the commentary and the photos! One comment about KC amd seeming aloof . . . I wonder if he's not comfortable with big crowds? He has become my daughter's all-time favorite because he is ALWAYS one of the players who talks to the campers at the FCD camps (she attended two, plus a clinic, and he was at all three). Also, when we would go watch practices thi summer, he took the initiative to speak to her. After several times, she was comfortable enough to just run up and hug him when he would be coming to practice. So, he's GREAT with kids, I know that for a fact. He might be uncomfortable in big social situations . . . just a thought.