Well, it’s a bit delayed but forgive me for lacking enthusiasm in writing this post. This past weekend the Gulls’ 2010 season was ended by none other than our friends the Caramilks. Once again IMFC played the first leg of the series at home and once again they left Montreal victorious.
That’s pretty much where the similarities ended. Montreal’s first leg was not nearly as dominant as what people had come to expect from the defending champions as the game only finished 1-0, on a day where it should have finished differently. Many chances were left unfulfilled for the Blue Boys during the game, so much so that it left me feeling like luck was just something that was not on their side, except for one particular event where a Carolina goal was called(perhaps rightly?) offside. Keep that in mind.
Overall the match would be what I would characterize as disappointing, interspersed with scenes of good play. One of the few bright spots on the field that night, as well as one of the bright spots one the field, was captured once again by Franck, of Ballonrond/the Offside fame:
Beautiful goal, really.
In terms of what happened off the field, one can say it was a truly special night, as well as a possible hint at things to come…
(2:00 in)
Courtesy of Ballonrondmtl and F10MTL once again.
The away leg of the series was truly a different affair.
Not watched live in a modern stadium in front of many thousands of people, but instead on a buffering internet stream showing a disinterested crowd in Cary, North Carolina. A match where, once again, offsides would play a part in the game, though this time to an even greater extent.
The match was a very lethargic affair in which the Montreal side were not as dynamic and decisive as usual. Carolina played quite a good counter, effectively neutralising Marc Dos Santos’ game plan. The Railhawks took advantage of this, implementing their own tactics, and being paid off with a goal late in the match, tying up the aggregate score at 1-1. Just as many people started to accept the possibility of extra time in Carolina, the Caramilks scored what appeared to be quite an offside goal. Ultimately, no clear decision can be reached due to the characteristic NASL/USL terrible camerawork, but see for yourself:
He may or not be offside. It is very possible that there exists a man faster than Usain Bolt, who is toiling away in the USSF D-2. Possible but very improbable, is the consensus around these parts. If you want you can see it as justice for Heinemann, who’s goal was called offsides in the first leg. Or you can call it robbery, stating either that the goal was offsides, or that Heinemann should not have even started the match, due to card accumulation, as was pointed out by Dos Santos.
Near the end of the match, Montreal’s favourite trigger to the question “Who?”, Marco Terminesi came on to bolster the Gulls attack. As he walked onto the field I said that he would be the guy to score the goal for us. Merely a few minutes later, in the 92nd minute of 94 minutes of stoppage time, Terminesi picked up a rebounded ball in front of a gaping, empty Railhawks net, putting the aggregate score at 2-2, forcing extra time between the Caramilks and seemingly re-invigorated Impact.
As the overjoyed Terminesi ran to celebrate with his team, the raised flag of the linesman was noticed, much to his(and his city’s) dismay. People are torn on whether or not he was indeed offside, but the majority of people seem to be in the “goal-was-good/can’t-tell-a-thing-from-the-video” camp than in the “wasn’t-good/can’t-tell-a-thing-from-the-video” camp.
Once again, decide for yourselves:
Further discussion/visual breakdowns of the Terminesi goal can be found here on Impactsoccer.com
Now you can go the easy route and blame the referees for the loss, whereas I personally choose to focus squarely on the team itself. You cannot leave crucial points in your season to be decided by others. You must constantly do Whatever It Takes to ensure your own success on the field. If the referee gifts a team 4 goals, you must be able to score 5, that’s how it is. For a team widely regarded as the Kings of D2 and with only one year left in the “small pond”, I am quite shocked they only have 3 stars to their name.
A team can not be a dominant force since the early 90’s, and only have 3 league successes to show for it. Even if they left their D2 era with 5 stars, thats on the low side of the acceptable expectations for a team that is the team in the league. Now it is clear that 5 stars are not possible, but at least there can still be 4.
Look for a series of irregular (and most likely bitterly written) series of posts this off season, soft scoops, as well as hopefully another two interviews conducted by everyone’s favourite negative, know-nothing Gulls blogger!
And for my many millions of fans, try to keep from filling up my inboxes on various sites, I know you love my insight, but I’m far too popular and important to bother acknowledging your existence!
Until next time!
Dragons & Gulls 