Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before…

By: Johnathan | November 14th, 2007

Three years in a row, now. I’ve almost grown accustomed to it. Almost.

From the very beginning Thursday night, there were two very bad omens: Dave O’Brien’s presence in the press box and Paulo Wanchope’s presence in the starting eleven. While the former served as merely a supreme annoyance (but seriously, what the hell did they do with Glenn Davis?), the latter may very well have been the reason the Fire will be watching Sunday’s final on television. He certainly looked out of place on the field; a step slow, always in the wrong place at the wrong time. He hampered Chicago’s attack, but I simply don’t agree with those who don’t think Wanchope hustled enough. The Costa Rican striker played with heart, it’s impossible to deny that. However, in his thirties and after several injuries, Paulo was running on fumes during his entire time in Chicago.

I didn’t see any of Paulo Wanchope’s matches for Tokyo FC, but his production in Japan was very similar to that of his stint in Chicago. I’d have to believe his performances were also comparable, and so I have to wonder what John Guppy and Juan Carlos Osorio were thinking when they brought a J-League washout to Toyota Park. I know that Osorio and Wanchope spent time at Manchester City together and probably remained in touch, but someone should have known better; even Wanchope, who reportedly has decided to call it a day. I guess you learn some lessons the hard way. Paulo Wanchope had an accomplished career; he had a successful run in the Premiership, he played in La Liga, he won 72 caps for his country, and he scored against Brazil in a World Cup. It’s hard to ask for much more.

Wanchope’s tenure in Chicago was disappointing and probably ill-advised, but I won’t hold it against him. He was a consummate professional who had simply seen better days. My lasting image of him in red will not be the misses, or his runs that lacked the pace he displayed in his prime. The image I’ll remember is a tired, ailing man climbing over the adboards to fetch the ball for a throw-in in the dying seconds of his last appearance. Fire fans will feel that we deserved more more from him, but we won’t be the only ones. Wanchope was a class act. Period.

Did we play our best? Of course not. But going out 1-0 on the road to a bicycle kick on the road is no embarrassment. We certainly could have done better, and perhaps should have, but this game doesn’t work that way, nor should it. Last Thursday was certainly not Osorio’s finest hour, not only in regards to the Wanchope decision, but the head-scratch-inducing substitutions as well. Calen Carr was excellent against United and nearly snatched a goal in the final moments in Foxborough. Hindsight is 20/20, but Carr’s pace could very well have made the difference. Justin Mapp’s introduction late in the second half was another questionable move, as he looked relatively toothless in the attacking third. I just don’t think he was ready. That said, anyone who thinks Juan Carlos Osorio should not be managing this club at he start of next season simply doesn’t get it. No one was more responsible for this team getting their shit together than Osorio. This team is exponentially better with him at the helm and that’s where he should stay.

I was incredibly relieved that there were not unwashed mobs of Fire supporters ranting and raving that Twellman’s goal was dangerous play. Was it? Almost certainly. Did I want the goal called back? Not a chance. We had our chances to equalize and we had didn’t take advantage. Dasan Robinson pulled out of the challenge when he saw Twellman’s foot flying towards the ball and (presumably) his face, but the goal was well-taken and entirely deserved. You won’t hear Fire fans chalking up our defeat to a referee’s decision, unlike fans of a certain other club.

Three things from last Thursday that warrant an honorable mention:

• The droves of Chicago fans that not only made the nearly 1000 mile trek in the middle of the week to watch their team, but also outsung the home fans .
• Whoever was responsible for the lack of (American) football lines on the pitch at Gillette Stadium deserves a pat on the back. It was nearly impossible to watch the other semi-final because of them. This is something league officials really need to address.
• Chris Rolfe being a warrior.

This one still stings, but there’s a lot to look forward to next year. Between a full season under Osorio, the revelation that has been Wilman Conde in defense, a (hopefully) fit Chris Rolfe, lots of money freed-up to bring in some fresh faces (and legs), and Cuauhtémoc Blanco fully rested for the first time since he’s put on a Fire shirt to look forward to, we are a club very much on the rise.

In June, we never thought we would even be this close to the championship. It was a good run, and next year will be even better. Onward and upward.