by Ethan Johnson
August 12, 2007
Ya know, one team that I really haven't been able to hang with all year is the Crew. I'll flip on their games once in a while, especially in HD, and sooner or later I grow bored to tears and flip over to something else. Frankie Hejduk played for Team USA during the Copa Oro this year, so I have some exposure to him. But as for the rest of the team, well, if I hadn't read the profile about Schelotto in yesterday's Dallas Morning News I wouldn't have known he existed. Which is sad, considering his legendary status in Argentina.
The other thing that normally turns me off to Crew games is their bright yellow uniforms. They're way too intense in HD. Unlike the actual team, which is boring. Tonight I had to suck it up, ditch the remote, and take the good with the bad as FCD took on the Crew. And now, get on your feet, sports fans, and make some noise for your investigative bullet points:
- Because Columbus is so boring, I noticed that their fan forum on Big Soccer pretty much followed suit. Ordinarily, I prefer that the opponent inspire some sort of ill feeling, but like Toronto FC, the fans are so darn polite and nice to everyone (seemingly so, anyway) that it's hard to get up for them. Of course, I'm not the guy who has to take the field and play, and my concern was that FCD was going to try to look past Columbus and not give this their all. FCD has injury problems at the worst possible time, so if nothing else I hoped that would ground them in "the now".
- Ray Burse is currently attending Ohio State University, and playing for FCD as 3rd string goalie. Actually, make that starter, again. FYI.
- There was a $10 ticket promotion for this game, and turnout didn't seem to be as strong as last week. Then again, the high temperature today hit triple digits, so I hope the fans enjoyed watching this game from their backyard pool.
- A woman sitting in front of me asked to borrow my program, and then looked through it trying to comprehend what Dax McCarty's actual position is. "He plays like a sweeper," she told me. I thought he was an attacking Mid. "Very attacking Mid," she affirmed. I mentioned the mystery that is Drew Moor, and she game up trying to make sense of any of that stuff, and concentrated on whether FCD was going to win or not.
- This game was "Korea night". The section next to mine was essentially reserved for a group that is trying to promote Korean unity (as in, a unified country - no more North and South). They really got into the game, and I hope if these are first-time fans they come back for more. They enjoyed chanting along with 116 at long range. I had to help clarify some chants, but once everyone got on board things got loud - which again is literally unheard of in the "prawn sandwich" seats. During one chant one vocal section didn't know what to say so they just went kookie saying "go Dallas - woo woo woo!" I got them on track.
- Do not adjust your set: Frankie Hejduk really is that effing ugly. Sorry.
- A word about the photos: I really wasn't getting a good bead on anyone, so I really phoned in the photo effort this time in favor of, you know, actually enjoying the game. I'll make up for it next time.
- OK, I completely concede that I'm probably not one iota as clever as I believe myself to be, but I was wondering before the game why nobody seems to make signs or flags depicting the symbol for "diver down". Come ON! Shouldn't they hand these out at the gate? As you will see anon in the photo section, great minds do think alike, as some guy was wearing a shirt with the Diver Down flag on it.
- FCD eked out a win against Columbus 3-2, and there was much rejoicing. Houston lost to Colorado, so FCD is back on top again in the West. FC!! Dallas!!
Click on the thumbnails to see the full-sized image. Enjoy!
Annnnnd, that's a wrap for FCD home games until September. See you there! <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.)
