I now regret it. First of all, I saw a friend post on Facebook a shot from inside Allianz; he went to the Game, and I didn't. And second, well, MNUFC sprung the upset on a Goal by Robin Lod, set up with passes by Bebelo Reynoso and, before him, Nico Hansen. What's more impressive that I did not notice until last evening? It's the first loss Seattle has suffered this Year. They had nine Wins and five Draws up until Sunday afternoon.
Dirtying up a marquee franchise in the league would alone be good enough to rise above negative numbers. But I'm keeping the Loons at -1. Why? Well, they're not terrible. But as of press time, Minnesota holds onto the seventh and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. They've been playing impressive ball lately, and yet they're still in the rat race to avoid getting on the wrong side of the cut line. It seems as though when United FC claim a victory and climb in the standings, the squads Minnesota is competing against win at the same time, keeping all of them in an existential rat race. They have good recent form; now they have to just apply that for, I don't know, the rest of the regular season.
Two Games this week. Tomorrow/Saturday night would have been the perfect time to take in a soccer Match. Unfortunately, the opponent are the Portland Timbers, and Diego Chara remains upset that Franco Frangapane said what Chara claims is a racist epithet toward him the last time these two teams played. There could be some bad blood on the pitch. Moreover, because American soccer is doing its damnedest to be as progressive as possible, I can see many, many fans chant and heckle all parties responsible for the way the investigation into this allegation happened in secret and ended with barely a whisper, and they'll use the television and the attention of a captive audience to foment even more criticism. I would not be completely shocked if the Loons become a social pariah because of a supposed racist mindset from one of their own. I will even predict that Portland comes here and wins, and wins handily.
Oh, also, on Wednesday, the XI go out to take on LAFC.
#-2: Twins (Last Week: -1). A 2-6 screening Week, kicking off with a three-Game sweep in Detroit at the hands of the lowly Tigers. They salvaged a split of a four-Game set against the White Sox at Comiskey, sure, but really, the club that remains lowly is the Twinks.
The big news, however, happened just before last/Thursday night's series starter at home vs. The Los Angels Of Anaheim Angels of Los Angels Angels of Anaheim Angels Of ... -- big news, but not totally surprising. The teardown of the Twinks has begun in earnest, with de facto leader and fan favorite, the ageless Nelson Cruz, sent to Tampa (along with a Double-A Pitcher) for two almost-ready hurlers. The fire sale is understandable, but to a point. If the front office believes this horrid Year is only a blip (and I don't know if they do feel this way), why not keep all the pieces you think can contribute next Year?
Still, I'm going to miss the guy. He provided power on the field, maturity off it, and just an overall sense of security. You always felt as though Cruz would be able to hit the ball when you need him to, even if it turns out he doesn't. Still, Cruz said after he learned of the news that he wouldn't mind coming back to Minnesota once his Year is over because his contract is over at the end of the season. That would be nice. I believe it was Dan Hayes of The Athletic who called Cruz The Best Free Agent Signing In The History Of The Minnesota Twins. He was only here 2 1/2 seasons, but I think Hayes is right.
Oh, there's still a season going on ... OK, ah, the homestand lasts for the Week; after the Angels depart at the tail end of the weekend, the Tigers come into town for three beginning on Monday.
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