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| 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.
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| 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.
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.