The Agony and the Ecstasy - and more Agony

For those who aren't native New Englanders, it's very difficult to explain the connection that Bostonians have to their sports teams. Red Sox games are never really about baseball, but about generations families heartbroken by loss and disappointment, redeemed in a miraculous 2004 season. Celtics games are far from simple basketball games, but are glimpses of the greatest dynasty in NBA history and the franchise with more championships than any other. So for a pretty dedicated sports fan such as myself, this week has been difficult on the psyche. Last night, the Celtics lost the NBA Finals in Game 7 to their arch rival, the Los Angeles Lakers. They had the lead going into the fourth quarter and couldn't get it done, leaving me at the mercy of thousands of front running Lakers fans here in LA. This picture pretty much sums up that fourth quarter:



So it was up to the USA Soccer team to pick me up this morning in their second game of the World Cup. They are coming off a dramatic tie against powerhouse England, and had a chance today to all but seal their advancement to the elimination round. So it was with utter agony that Dan, Tim and our new roommates Patrice and Riker (a coon hound) watched the USA concede not one, but two goals in the first half. There was no defense. There was no one willing to challenge Slovenia's ball handlers. There was no excitement or creativity on offense. There was, quite simply, no energy. Agony.

Thankfully, our best player Landon Donovan took over in the second half, scoring in the third minute. The coach's son, Michael Bradley, then put in a second goal with under ten minutes to play to tie the game. The crowd was in a frenzy. We looked unstoppable. Our hearts were pounding. Could we really win this game?? Then it happened: Maurice Edu put in a third goal, the go ahead goal, completing the greatest comeback in soccer history with just minutes left to play!! We screamed! We jumped up and down! Riker barked! Ecstasy!!

And then...the official disallowed the goal. He did not explain the foul. He did not card a player. In fact, he refused to tell the players or coaches what the call was. He just disallowed the goal and offered no other explanation. Was it offsides? Was there a foul? WE STILL DON'T KNOW. And we never will, because FIFA, the group running the tournament is not requiring the official to report what the foul was or who it was called on. The commentators called it "unfair," a "disgrace," a "nightmare." Agony.

So the USA tied Slovenia 2-2. In order to advance, we'll have to win our next game and hope the numbers work out. And it's not fair.

But my parents do have their 33rd anniversary tomorrow, so I made them this video. Enjoy!