They say journalists are supposed to be objective, but since I have never claimed to be anything resembling a journalist, Wednesday night was fun for your old pal Tino. It was Open Cup semis night, and off I went to The Home Depot Center for a battle between my giant-killing hometown Minnesota Thunder and the resident Planet LA Galaxy, while a Brimstone showdown was settling the other finalist down at Pizza Hut Park.
After shelling out $15 for parking ($15!) I went to the press box where I received the grand news that the Almighty Hoops had finally realized you could still be a gracious host and actually win a game at the same time.
Yes, FC Dallas won a game at the new joint, and in doing so had spared the nation the awful experience of having to watch the lying, cheating Fire in the Open Cup final.
As for the Thunder-Galaxy, it was a bit of a win-win for me: either my hometown squad makes the final, or I get to see the Open Cup final live. Nice.
As I picked up a lineup sheet for the match, I saw the locals had their full team out. Translation: when you are a .500 ball club and are this close to playing for a trophy, you don't mess around.
If you need a refresher on the Thunder, they are no threat in the USL First Division this year, but had already taken three MLS scalps in the Open Cup (insert recent Barcelona or Liverpool references here), and had actually knocked the Galaxy out of the tournament a year earlier.
Before the match, I chatted with a few fellow Minnesotans, as there was a strong group of about 50 Thunder supporters. They had no reason to believe their boys weren't going to the final. Problem is, these guys also thought the Vikings are still going to be a good team this year. Right then, I knew the Thunder were done.
Then the game kicked off and before two minutes had even gone by, a shaky Galaxy backline threw up all over itself (pardon the golf term) and before you knew it the Thunder had won a penalty. It really looked to be a dream start ... the stuff Cup lore is made out of.
But as Steve Sampson on the bench and his boss Doug Hamilton in a box above were having a contest as to who could look more in dire need of a Tums, Melvin Tarley stepped up and promptly delivered the ball into the fifth row of the stands.
We've all seen enough games to know that was it - that was the Thunder's one chance.
And despite the loud support of the traveling Thunder contingent - and one of those two Nick and Steven guys who sported a Thunder scarf and yelled Germany and Bayer Leverkusen references at Landon Donovan whenever he came over to take a corner - the MLS side began to assert itself until finally scoring just before the half-hour. After setting up Landon for the first goal from right in front of the Minnesota fans, Cobi Jones turned and waved. It was kind of funny, I have to admit.
But the Thunder nearly pulled level just two minutes later when Tarley again couldn't convert a golden chance - failing to beat Kevin Hartman on a complete breakaway. Yeah RSL fans, not sure this is ye olde savior.
While the visitors were game, the Galaxy scored again before the interval, Herculez Gomez chipping 'keeper Joe Warren for what seemed like enough to secure the trip to the final. But after the break, the pesky Thunder wouldn't go away, first hitting the bar then actually pulling a goal back to make the game 2-1.
The next 20 minutes were not comfortable for the home side at all, as Minnesota looked like they were having thoughts again of becoming the next Rochester and winning the whole thing. A quick glance at Sampson and Hamilton again showed dueling bitter-beer faces.
But suddenly in the 77th minute, Tyrone Marshall apparently had a flashback to his days as a striker, taking off on a weaving solo run that ended with the defender tucking the ball in the near post and sealing the trip to the final.
The Galaxy then would add two more, as Gomez scored again before Jones hit a looping ball to Joseph Ngwenya to head home. The nice ball by Cobi was ruined by his decision to run the entire length of the field to go up to the Minnesota Thunder supporters, take a dramatic bow, and wave goodbye to them again. This time it was over the top.
It struck me as funny for a guy who has played in multiple World Cups and is a bit of a local soccer icon to go to such effort to resort to such classless behavior in a game that was long-settled at that point. Plus, this was not exactly Azteca ... it was 50 Scandihoovians from Minnesota. Not exactly a great example for the kids, is it? Disappointing stuff.
Anyway, at the end of the day, I selfishly got what I wanted - the chance to see my Almighty Hoops hoist the trophy that has been misplaced since 1997 - and to do so right here on Planet LA in two weeks.
GRAB A COLD BUD (OR AQUAFINA) AND PUT YER FEET UP:
WHAT I'LL BE WATCHING:
Saturday - FULHAM vs. WEST HAM (5 p.m. ET on Fox Soccer Channel): Had a nice debate at the Open Cup semi with some folks about who will play up top for The Yanks in Germany. If Brian McBride keeps banging in goals, half the equation isn't tough to figure out.
Saturday - CHIVAS USA vs SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (10 p.m. ET on Fox Soccer Channel): At what point do we start to say this is the team to beat for the whole thing right now? Yeah, I mean Chivas.
Sunday - FC DALLAS vs REAL SALT LAKE (2 p.m. ET on The Deuce): The slump is over, it's time for the run to The Double.
FLICK-ONS:
I don't think anyone was totally shocked by the Galaxy's decision to trade Jovan Kirovski this week. I still have to say though, I was kind of disappointed in his decision to rip Steve Sampson on the way out the door ... what's the point?
I am absolutely in no way condoning this (seriously), but I do wonder if at some point a Dallas player is going to take out Dema Kovalenko. Obviously everyone remembers the Ronnie O'Brien incident, but in their match last weekend, Ronnie schooled Dema with a sweet back-heel early in the second half, and MLS's answer to Jared Borgetti (a talented player who is dirty as they come) tried to blade O'Brien from behind. Like I said, all kidding aside I am absolutely not in favor of it, but I just won't be shocked if it happens one day.
Clap your hands if you think Wayne Rooney needs a shrink.
Pando scored! Pando scored! But don't worry, he is still on track for the Jerry Tamashiro award for the biggest foreign disappointment this season. His goal came when his teammates let him take a penalty - which he proceeded to miss, banging it off the goal post. But fortunately for him, the ball rebounded off the post, hit the bleached warrior Joe Cannon in the back, and went into the net. Ah, the finishing work of a master craftsman.
Diego Serna is to MLS teams what a huge burrito with extra cheese, sour cream and guac is to me - too tempting to pass up apparently, but you just know it's always going to end badly.
The Clean Sheet runs each Thursday on MLSnet. Views and opinions expressed in this column views and opinions are the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or MLSnet.com. Send any questions and comments to tcsresponses@yahoo.com
