No Curses, But a Good Reason

Courtesy: nyredbulls.com

I don't believe in curses. I don't. But I'd be lying if I told you that I sometimes don't feel as if the sports teams I root for aren't jinxed, cursed, or just filled with bad luck. To be honest, If it weren't for my New York Yankees roots and fan hood since childhood, I'd be a completely miserable sports fan having to invest the rest of passion into my beloved New York Knicks, New York Jets, and New York Red Bulls every year.

And yes, for those doing the math in their head, it's pretty simple, I haven't seen any of the latter win a championship in my lifetime.

This year, I legitimately thought at least one was possible. I really believed the Red Bulls had a legitimate shot at hoisting an MLS Cup at the end of November. For years, the Red Bulls have dealt with the folklore of the curse of Caricola - a supposed hex placed on the team when the club lost it's first ever home playoff goal on a Nicola's Caricola's own goal. Or so goes the legend, which some fans believe.

Yet, here we were, winners of the club's first ever Supporter's shield, and the top overall team in MLS. Could it be, that Red Bull Arena would host the MLS Cup game? No? No way! Because my teams don't allow it's fans to dream that big. And when they do, they find a way to let you down, and let you down hard.

Courtesy: nyredbulls.com
Mr. Robles, I didn't believe it either

Well, add the 2013 Red Bulls to that list.

After a first leg match in which the club had a two goal going into the half, the club surrendered two goals in the second half, a red card to Jamison Olave, and squandered all of the momentum and swag the club had going for it all season.

Not to mention, Thierry Henry continued to struggle in post season play. I'm a big fan of the guy, but it is now 666 minutes of post season play and only one goal for the Red Bulls captain.

And then of course, tonight, in a building they have yet to secure a playoff victory in, the Red Bulls did what they do best. What they did last year. And what all of my teams manage to do every year, besides of course my beloved Yankee, they broke my heart.

That stupid, stupid, cheap goal that made it's way in (barely) squeezed the life and dreams out of a championship for me.

After last year's off-sides fiasco and devastating loss to rival D.C. United, and the way this year's season ended with that - yes, that! - goal, I am left deflated, burned, and with a broken heart.

I don't believe in curses. Heck, maybe it's just Marshall's law. But the way in which this Red Bull club loses each year, along with the continued futility of my Knicks and Jets, there has to be a reason for all the heartbreak.

Recently Read Posts

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 11/6/22

3 Up 1. NYC Marathon Winners - I am ALWAYS in awe of marathon runners, especially, marathon winners. Congratulations to Evans Chebet and Sharon Lokedi on winning the Men's and Women's races. 2. Taylor Swift - Only Taylor Swift can reach the heights of breaking records from the likes of The Beatles. And well, she's done just that. Also, she's taken over the entire Top 10 by becoming the first artist - ever! - to do just that. Amazing. 3. World Series No-Hitter (and Championship) - It pains me to give the Houston Astros some love in this space, but it is deserved. Especially, for that combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the World Series. Kudos. 3 Down 1. Antisemitic Rhetoric - There is so much that can be said here. I'll just repeat a sentence from an Asian student in our office as others discussed Kyrie Irving, Kanye West, and all of the antisemitic rhetoric currently out there - why would you say any of this? 2. Takeoff Killed - Such a tragic occurrence. We just do

62 is Amazing...So was the Mental Competitiveness

It's very easy to fall into the low-hanging fruit that surrounds what Aaron Judge pulled off in hitting 62 - SIXTY-TWO!! - home runs. What's the real home run record? What is your opinion? Who's the real home run king? You know, all of the hot-takes and forced debates that always seem flood to the surface and strangle the moments, accomplishments, and specialness in sports. The conversation is valid, and it is definitely the fault of no one else besides Major League Baseball that we are currently in this position of deciphering records from *records. We've done the steroids discussion in every shape, form, arena, and angle thus far - nothing is going to change. We all have had time to plant our flag and get comfortable with steroids, the steroid era, and its place in the game of baseball's history. Even the "American League Record" moniker, while fact, still had the feeling of reaching for legitimacy to combat the steroid gorilla in the 62 in '22 roo

WWE Extreme Rules 2022 Review: "Keep Doing That Thing...Whatever it is. It's Working"

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think as a young, teenage wrestling fanatic that the WWE would be better off without Vince McMahon. But in the year 2022, this very much rings true. Ever since the Chairman of the Board swayed his arms in that classic McMahon strut right out of the WWE, leaving Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Nick Kahn with the brass ring (how about that ode to Vince?), the product of the WWE has actually pulled me back in. Heck, I watched RAW live, for an hour. Not the whole three hours, because, really, I still have no idea how some fans do that. Even if the show is good. Nonetheless, much like all things that get a fresh coat of paint in pro wrestling, it becomes a hot commodity. Sustaining it is the challenge (see AEW for proof). We'll see how long this lasts, but for now, the WWE is once again entertaining, and that doesn't bode well for the rest of the wrestling industry. I tuned into Extreme Rules, WWE's long-time nod to ECW with a night fu

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 10/17/22

3 Up 1. Four Astronauts Return Home - I can't imagine being in space for six months. I've had my experiences of living out of a suitcase on earth for as long as two weeks on the road, and that's difficult. Space? For 6 months. Kudos to all four astronauts. And of course, I'm glad that they're home safe. 2. Bruce Sutter - The Hall of Fame unfortunately passed away this week. And while I never saw Sutter pitch, I too threw a split-fingered fastball when I didn't have much else in my development as a pitcher in college. I've got much respect for the inventor of the pitch. RIP. 3. Floating City - Give this article a read. A floating city? The whole entire idea sounds crazy, but at the same time, super cool. Rising sea levels has everyone thinking differently, and this is certainly that. 3 Down 1. Sandy Hook Families - The families were awarded a huge settlement this week in a case against Alex Jones. While that should be an "Up", I couldn't he

Dome Pondering

Search This Blog