With the sound of the Houston celebrations piercing an otherwise deafening silence in their locker room, the New England Revolution players sat in shock at what had just happened to them.
Minutes earlier, the Revs had gone through a gamut of emotions as the joy of celebrating Taylor Twellman's goal was replaced by the despair of watching Brian Ching immediately level matters. The Revolution mood darkened even further when Dynamo prevailed on penalties, meaning it will be at least one more year before an MLS championship banner can be raised in Foxborough.
"When Taylor put the goal in it just seemed like it was going so well and then it happened in about five seconds. I'm lost for words right now," said midfielder Joe Franchino.
It was a common response from the shell-shocked Revs squad.
"We are frustrated and disappointed," said defender Michael Parkhurst. "We really thought this was our season. We got up a goal and I thought that was it."
Each of Parkhurst's two seasons in MLS have ended with losses in MLS Cups. Losing to the Galaxy last year, he said, was hard -- but nothing compared to how he felt Sunday, especially given the way the Revolution had played throughout the game.
"Both times we felt like we had the better team going in, and felt like it was ours to win or lose," said Parkhurst. "I felt we had a better performance this year than last year, which makes it harder. If it had been 0-0 and we had lost on penalties then that would have been unfortunate but someone has to win and someone has to lose. But, to get the goal and have the lead and give up the lead that quick was backbreaking."
In the 113th minute, it finally looked as though some sort of redemption following past losses in finals was about to be New England's. Khano Smith's mazy run at the Houston defense saw the Bermudan find space to thread a pass through to Twellman, who struck a left-footed shot low past Pat Onstad. However, 71 seconds later, Ching rose to head in a deflected cross from Brian Mullan.
"We all know we shot ourselves in the foot," said Twellman. "We had seven minutes to defend and we didn't get it done. They kicked the ball off and seconds later, the game was tied. There was no time to feel anything."
Despite the shock of seeing their lead wiped out so quickly, the Revolution remained upbeat going into the penalty shootout. After all, two weeks ago, that particular way of deciding games had worked in their favor against Chicago. This time, however, there was to be no happy ending as Pat Noonan saw his effort go off the top of the bar and Jay Heaps was denied by Onstad.
"We were confident going into PKs and would be confident with Noonan and Jay taking them again," said Franchino. "It is just unlucky."
Andy Dorman said that no blame should be put on either man who missed, as he put a philosophical slant on the way the game was lost.
"Jay has had a brilliant season and hasn't got any of the credit he deserves throughout the league with the defensive record we have had. He doesn't need to worry about anything. It happens to somebody and it is just unfortunate for us that it happened to him," Dorman said. "The same with Noonan. There is no responsibility for either of them."
After battling through indifferent form in the regular season, as well as losing players to injuries and suspensions and the World Cup, to come up short in the final reckoning is heartbreaking, said Reis. What makes it more gut-wrenching, he continued, is that one never knows when such a chance will come again.
"It's hard," said Reis. "There are so many things that go into a season and so many different possibilities and you never know when you are going to have the chance to play for a championship. There are no guarantees that next year we will be in or even ever again in your career. Any chance that you waste is one that hurts bad."
Trying to win MLS Cup next year is likely the last thing the Revolution players are thinking about right now. Dorman admitted that this defeat -- and particularly the manner in which is came about -- will take some time to get over. But, he continued, you have to move on.
"It's going to take quite a while. I am sure that in the first game of next season it won't be out of our system. It stays a part of you," he said. "Next year is a new season and, after tonight and the next week or so, you have to look forward to that."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
