Handling a Tie

This is America. We don’t like ties. We want a definitive winner and loser. With a tie you don’t get that. Ties, along with the sometimes ridiculous flopping, are things that are holding back the American sports fan from embracing Soccer. It took me a while to finally accept them. No, it’s not like the game didn’t happen, and no one had to kiss their sister. The team is still awarded a point which helps with overall standings. Sometimes a tie is a hard fought point and other times, like Sunday versus Sporting Kansas City it was the letting of 2 points slip through our hands.

FC Cincinnati was dominating the entire first half against what was basically a Sporting KC Reserve team. After a late CONCACAF Champions League game Thursday night against Mexican Side, Monterrey, Sporting KC rested a lot of their regulars. This was a game that was ours for the taking. Although we went into halftime with a 1-0 lead it felt disappointing. We had multiple chances to make it a 2-0 or even a 3-0 lead. Anything can happen in Soccer and goals can come in many unexpected ways. That is how we gave up the equalizer. Spencer Richey, who has undoubtedly been playing at an expert level, came off his line in a horrible situation and KC got an easy goal.  We had our chances in the second half as well. How Kekuta Manneh misses his shot, I don’t think anyone knows. Nick Hagglund’s offside was equally as frustrating. This was a game where FC Cincinnati appeared to be the better team but at the end of the day all that matters is the score board.

Two points were left on that field and every FC Cincinnati fan should be frustrated but not disheartened.  No one told us this would be easy and no one expected us to be playing at the level that we are at this point in the season.  I was most impressed with the play of Kenny Saief. The way he controlled the middle of the field was spectacular. He never gave up on the ball and always seemed to be making plays. The biggest surprise of the game for me was that he was taken off late in the 2^nd half. He seemed to be the catalyst for all our opportunities up until that moment. I obviously don’t know the entire situation, perhaps his legs were done, and he had no more to give. Maybe Alan Koch doesn’t want to wear him out too soon. Also he is on loan and his team may still have some say in how many minutes he can play. I will say that if we can’t buy out that loan and make him a permanent member of the FCC family he will be a hard player to replace.

Sunday’s game would have been a great game to see Fanendo Adi play, but alas he is injured/delinquent. For all the complaints we have had about his play I truly believe his style would have worked well against KC.  We were able to work the ball down the field and play crosses all day. We just didn’t have anyone there to finish them. Adi’s hold up play and big body could have made a huge difference in that game.  I do hope Adi gets himself healthy, both physically and mentally, because we sure could use him up top. We have plenty of pace on the outside but we miss that big man taking up space in the middle.

Although the outcome was not what I wanted I still was thrilled to be out there on a great day watching a team working hard to represent our city and make us all proud. Ties may not be ideal but at the end of the season that 1 point may make the difference between the playoffs and sitting at home watching.