The game was almost a week ago but expecting a MMP before Monday is as foolhardy as thinking Jason Kidd could improve the Mavericks.

Your Weekly Transcendentalist Horoscope
Random yet oddly appropriate quotes from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden.

It seemed by the distant hum as if somebody’s bees had swarmed, and that the neighbors, according to Virgil’s advice, by a faint tintinnabulum upon the most sonorous of their domestic utensils, were endeavoring to call them down into the hive again.

Speaking of Virgil, this season might make a worthy epic poem someday… At least thats what I keep telling myself… Hopefully Kenny Cooper won’t play the role of Aeneas… Maybe I should do an entire MMP in dactylic hexameter… Had anyone else ever seen the word tintinnabulum somewhere? Its really a wonder where these random HDT quotes take me.

FCD 1-3 Charleston Rickety Old Forts

MMP Prediction: A win
Actual Result: Not quite

I really need to stop drinking at FC Dallas games.

There’s a lot to be angry at this team for. We’re all angry for the constant losing. Many are angry at the Front Office for releasing Steve Morrow and yes, even El Pescadito. Plenty are angry at the hiring of Schellas Hyndmann. I’m angry at myself for letting some poorly supported MLS team drive me down a path towards alcoholism. My drenched socks are angry at the weather and my refusal to get out of it. Turns out, Hyndmann himself was quite angry after the game. But most of all, and I’m sure many of you will agree with me on this, I’m angry at the lack of effort. I don’t mean the lack of running around, the lack of wanting to win. Ultimately, effort in this game involves risk, and this team is running scared. Considering I’ve agreed with pretty much everything that has come out of Hyndmann’s mouth in terms of tactics–and he’s far more willing to talk tactics publicly than Morrow–so I’m going to define this risk in terms of doing what the coach tells you to do (ie, get forward, get wide). Some quotables:

“Width is one of the principles of attack and you need to have it. We had width but it’s not where we want it to be. We have flank players who want to play around the center line. I can’t tell you how many conversations we’ve had about them getting into the attacking third. It’s just really uncomfortable for these guys. It just comes to the point of doing what we ask you to do or we have to find people.”

Schellas Hyndmann

“The only width in the final third was coming from Abe”

Buzz Carrick

Sigh.

For those regular readers, you know that I’ve tried to stay positive. You’ve probably noticed that trend has eroded over recent matches. I usually don’t take a high view of people who do nothing but insult the team. For example, on the bus ride back from the Houston game last year, I heard a lot of insults thrown around, but most of those people were merely convincing me they know nothing of the sport or, for that matter, how to build a team. Especially one in a salary cap league.

So my brain is going to veto what my gut wants to say and stay as positive as possible. Have you ever heard a psychologist tell someone that for every negative thing said, a positive thing should accompany it? It usually ends in the most uncomplimentary compliments you ever did hear. I make no promises that I’ll avoid such statements. But here’s a list of positive things about our team (feel free to add the necessary dose of pain):

We’ve got an awful lot of talented central midfielders. For the second week in a row, let’s list them off. The South Americans: Pablo Richetti, Marcello Saragosa, Andre Rocha, Juan Toja. The North Americans: Dax McCarty, Eric Avila, Anthony Wallace, Adrian Serioux (eh?). Each have their upsides (yes, even Saragosa). Each have their glaring weaknesses. Who are our two best wingers (are you ready for this?): David Wagenfeur and Bobby Rhine. Who out there cringed? I miss Wags for a variety of reasons: the huge smile, the semi-innuendo nickname, the unquestionable fitness. Unfortunately, he’s had a little bit of a headache recently, and Bobby seems to get hurt or red-carded every time he walks out on the field. We’ve seen Arturo Alvarez, Brek Shea, and Blake Wagner play there as well, but Wags and Rhine have provided the best service and are the only proven two-way players of the bunch. So unless we plan on playing a 1-7-2 (it would be fun for, like, one half), we’ve got some trade-bait.

We’ve got a great combination of experience and youth in defense. So eventually, I’ll be able to close my eyes and not see Duilio Davino scrambling in a 1-on-1 against a defender. Eventually.

We’ve got Kenny Cooper. Yes, do your best to hold back the tears.

We’ve got some great role-playing forwards. Abe Thompson plays the role of scorer of crucial goals in spite of all odds. Dominic Oduro and Ricardinho play the role of speedsters with massive potential.

We’re only 4 points out of a playoff spot. See, there’s an upside to parity after all. Honestly, I do think Dallas will make a push. Maybe not as significant as the Galaxy’s ultimately futile push at the end of last season. But I’m confident we’ll put together a streak or two of wins/road draws. Its just a matter of getting up to that level soon and being somewhat consistent.

We did win that cannon thingie. Thank you away goals rule.

Our best player didn’t just punch someone during a knockout game. No, ours did that 2 years ago.

If this is the lowest we can go, surely the sky is the limit. Ladies and gentlemen, make sure your seat belts are securely fastened, cross your fingers, and hold on tight to the handlebars. Enjoy the ride.

and your Weekly Namesake Update
And you thought FCD’s future was uncertain.