Friday, November 02, 2007

Showing our Quality? (Conference Semis 2nd Leg)

Tonight we finish off the second leg of the Conference Semifinals. (Game Guide.) Basically, win and we move on; lose and the season is over.

Last night's DC-Chicago game shows that the better team doesn't always move on. The MLS championship goes to the team currently in the better form.

With our defense, I don't see us conceding a goal tonight, and surely not more than one. In the middle of the field, I'm sure we'll dominate possession and territory. The only question is in the attacking third. We'll create opportunities, but can we finish them? That's been a recurring bug-a-boo all year, and the answer to that question will determine if our season continues or if we take a hiatus until next season.

And that hiatus will not even include international play in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. We have to win the MLS Cup to get there. (DCU has earned one berth based on winning the Supporters' Shield.) So, other than the standard warmup at the Carolina Challenge Cup, we'll have no soccer action until the 2008 season begins. In the meantime, we'll be weathering an uncertain off-season with an expansion draft for San Jose and other events that could change the character of the team we know so well.

But let's not consider that now. We're not in the grave, just playing in the cemetery. Score, and we move on. If we're ahead by only one goal at the end of 90 minutes, we'll get more time to score more. Score, and we move on. If we're still ahead by only one goal at the end of 120 minutes, we'll go to penalties. Score, and we move on.

The secret, methinks, lies in scoring.

Win or lose, my family and I will be in Row B of Section 118. It's been a good season. I hope it continues for a couple of more games.

Go Dynamo!

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