Born to Lose...or Draw

Our chances to make the playoffs were thin from the beginning. We came within a whisker of making the MLS Cup in '08, and even as the pain from the loss lingered, we set out to do what we had to do. The only problem is...we didn't. We had what we thought was a short list of improvements that would allow us a soft stroll into this years finals. But we fell asleep at the wheel. Every good team knows that a core of returning players is the key, but you have to make steps forward, not sideways. Filling holes in the boat is different than buying a new one, you're just biding your time until it leaks again, and a good coach will work hard in the off season shopping for a faster boat for the day when old Betty hits the bottom of the harbor.

We have two deficiencies that are haunting this team, and will continue to do so until changes are made. Call it solid financial management in a down economy, sentimentality, or simply stubbornness, the fact of the matter is, this team needs a quality striker and it needs an experienced coach, both of which we were unwilling or unable to pay for. 

Imagine you're the owner of a small or mid-size corporation and the world loves your product. Your management team keeps telling you that unless you invest in new technology your product will be obsolete in 2 years. Why invest millions when the people are already buying your shiny pet rocks. Why not just patch the old machines and make it work.

We're still buying the product, so why buy the shiny new machines, after all we might just squeak into the playoffs with some popsicle sticks, duct tape, and a little luck.