Did you expect anything less from RSLFM?

OK I have to admit, I was hoping that perhaps the changes in the off season to the RSL roster would finally get the cynics to lighten up a little bit, I didn’t expect it, but I was hoping. So was I at all surprised that when a special player, made a spectacular play to earn his team a draw on opening day, that the cynics would proclaim it typical RSL, unable to finish a match, horrible defense, despite the fact that RSL lead every statistical area of the match.

Nope I saw that one coming, and despite a great effort against a team that is proving to be one of the best so far in this short MLS season, the blinders that prevent anything good from being seen were on and no matter what the results on the pitch, the hate would continue to spew from those who for whatever reasons dislike RSL. It makes you wonder what would cause someone to spend so much time and energy on a team that one has nothing but spite and bitterness towards? It is beyond me.

So is anyone surprised that despite the DC United players and coaches not making excuses that we could count on the RSL cynics to throw mud, make excuses, explain away the victory RSL fought for and deserved on Saturday night.

RSL supporters everywhere celebrated their club’s historic win Saturday night against a shockingly fatigued, almost skeletal-appearing DC United. Yeah Fred, Jamie, and Luciano all appeared to be near death from the start of the match, are you kidding me, they ran with pace and passed with skill. They had the same problem they have had all year in MLS, that is finishing (something RSL is very familiar with), DC’s only MLS goals have come against TFC.

And as has been adequately detailed elsewhere, this opponent can in no way be confused with DC United playing at full strength. They were noticeably lacking in terms of both fitness & roster selection.
Really DC United started 8 of the 11 players that started in their only MLS win against TFC, RSL also had 8 players from their opening day effort on the field, and 9 from their starting 11 from the Chivas match. I am not sure what lack of fitness RSLFM noticed, I saw a team that ran well, and did not quit playing their style of football until shortly after the 3^rd goal.

This win was simply an especially brightly-colored tile in a much larger (and yes…generally darker) mosaic.
Really, so the 4-4-3 record to end last season, and our 1-1-1 start against three of the top MLS teams (the 2007 best teams in both the east and west, and the team currently atop the east).

RSL was undeservedly unlucky in weeks past–as both its coach & fanboys are fond of proclaiming. If true, mustn’t RSL fans also acknowledge that RSL was perhaps undeservedly lucky in some aspects on Saturday? If–as we were firmly instructed–Esky’s late throw-away goal for Chivas was meaningless, mustn’t the same also be said of Findley’s late gift? Intellectual honesty is not a sign of weakness. To the contrary, in fact.
I don’t know many who have blamed the loss at Chivas on bad luck, rather we did not finish and they did, that match was much more evenly played than the scoreboard displayed, I also don’t know many who have dismissed the great goal by Blanco in extra time as bad luck, it rather was as stated a great player, making a great play. I have no idea who wants to discount the goal by Esky, hell I loved that one of RSL’s cast offs took advantage of a chance to stick it to his former club. If you’re claiming that your refusal to acknowledge the improvement of RSL play this season is honesty, then I ask who do you think your fooling? Honestly?

RSL supporters have precious little practice winning with dignity. It shows, and it’s a bit embarrassing. Displaying class in victory is a difficult trait to master. Fans of our vanquished opponent know a thing or two about both winning and losing. This is classic, you obviously did not partake in the RCB/Barra Brava tailgate party, or the after match gathering for beers and reflection. If you believe that the boys supporting DC would not have been enjoying rubbing a 4-0 win in the faces of other fans, then you simply do not know much about their group. I do think it was a bit silly for whoever went and sat behind them and wanted to try and taunt them, but the Barra give as good as they get. But again, most of us know that there is not a single thing RSL, their front office, or fans can do that would pass the muster of the all knowing, all seeing, and always perfect RSLFM.

Listen, RSL’s victory was the most impressive in team history, despite the naysayer’s nitpicking. This year’s RSL is a far improvement from last years team, one only need to look at how long it took for RSL to get their first win of the year. Last season our first MLS victory came against DC United, but it happened on June 23^rd, and this season we got our first win on the 12^th of April, again against DC United. The difference 9 weeks, perhaps the cynics should sit back, relax and breath a little. If they take a few minutes and actually watch the first three matches of this season, and compare them to the first three matches of last year, there is no comparison in quality, effort, energy, and results. Like it or not, the announcers from three teams we have faced this season have it right, this is a much better RSL squad than in the past. Be honest, that is what you claim that no one else does, but the facts simply do not support your silly bitterness. If you have a grudge, then make it public, get it settled, or get over it, but please quit trying to play the honest broker, when everyone can see the vile bitterness you spew and claim to be truth.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

This entry was posted on April 14, 2008 at 12:57 am and is filed under Rumors & Drama RSL Style. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.