A 0-0 draw in a soccer match is like ... well, what is it like?
BY KYLE KOSTER
Hey guys, Roman is taking a little time off and asked us to keep up the Full Court Press while he is out. Because he's sort of an idol to us both, we readily agreed. You all probably know Ricky from his previous FCP work, and Bears Chat veterans will recognize myself as the guy who really likes Tim Tebow and polls about the FOX robot.
If you are upset about a soccer post -- fear not. Ricky will have something on the Bears tomorrow.
Last night in Foxboro, Mass., the Chicago Fire and New England Revolution battled to a 0-0 draw in the playoff opener for both teams. The teams ran up and down the field for a full 90 minutes and some extra time, but could not muster one goal between them.
One of the veteran copy editors was engrossed in the action, his eyebrows raising each time a squad made a push into enemy territory. He was the only one in the newsroom watching. One person went so far as to remark that a 0-0 draw was a complete and utter waste of everyone's time.
Now, soccer is sort of the Buster Bluth of sports in America -- the littlest brother that gets picked on and mostly ignored. For the record, I've only recently become a fan and most of that has to do with how much I like playing FIFA 2008. But we thought it'd be fun to debate the merits of a 0-0 soccer match here in this forum.
Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the Cubs and Sox' search for a leadoff hitter or the next savior of Bulls basketball's special place in the world. But if we live in a world where Reece Davis can put on a judge's outfit and rule on arbitrary matters, then we all should.
Heck, it's the cool new thing to do around suntimes.com.
A 0-0 soccer tie is totally worth it
What you've got to understand is that this is the playoffs. Simply put, these games count. A 0-0 tie is exactly the same in the ledger as a 3-3 tie. When the scene shifts back to Toyota Park, the Fire will have the home-pitch advantage. How do you not get excited about that? How do you not get excited about demeaning someone who calls it home-field?
Moreover, it's the playoffs. I'd watch the playoffs of anything. The WNBA, arm-wrestling, chili-cooking. If there's a competition ripe for dramatics, then you can bet it holds my attention. Just because there weren't goals doesn't mean there weren't spectacular, athletic plays. Maybe the reason no one scored was because there were a multitude of well-judged, well-timed challenges.
There's beauty in soccer's details, my friends. It's like an Aaron Sorkin show: a little slow and boring at first, but rife with intriguing layers. A perfectly paced through ball to a midfielder might not be as sexy as a LeBron James' slam dunk, but each sport has to be assessed on its own merits.
Also, Chicago was playing the New England Revolution. As good Midwesterners, we have a duty to oppose all East Coast teams, especially if they come from a town
that fancies itself the greatest thing since sliced bread -- thanks to Mr. Garnett, Brady and Ortiz.
I'll grant that a 0-0 certainly isn't the apex of professional sports, but in a world where ESPN routinely shows over-caffeinated card sharks chasing straights and flushes, I welcome any type of "real sport" I can get.
Now, somebody please tell me how wrong I am.
UFC90??
Kyle...I give you a rousing approval. Great post. I watched the Fire game yesterday and enjoyed it for various reasons. Plus, the Revolution have been a thorn in the side of the Fire when it comes to the playoffs. It was a compelling match, and I was hoping the Fire could've capitalized at some point and notched a goal, but it wasn't to be.
Your point on the tie score situation (0-0 means the same as 3-3 in this game 1) is dead on. Because of the aggregate scoring system used in this round of the MLS playoffs, it was absolutely crucial that the Fire not fall behind in the first game. Now, they come home and have a chance to advance to the next round, playing in front of their fans, by just winning this next game.
And, there's nothing wrong about liking Tim Tebow. TEBOW TO THE BEARS! Cleatus, the Fox Robot...not so much. He must die!
Kyle responds: Thanks Q, see you on Sunday.
It was disappointing, yes, because the Fire ought to have won and the Revs home crowd was something out of the morgue at Cook County Hospital.
But it was worth it. It means the Fire only have to win their match at home to advance, where they haven't lost against New England this season or the playoffs ever.
I know many sports fans who read this blog or the S-T will moan about soccer or whatever, but Fire fans are Chicago sports fans too, who follow the Cubs/Sox, Hawks, Bears like the rest of us! It's a team representing Chicago, and one that does so proudly!
Soccer needs to go back to it's roots.
Dress the players in Scotish kilts and Roman battle garb, use a boiled skull for a ball, and draw and quarter the losing goalie at the end of the game.
Cheerleading teams full of scullery wenches would also help.
Fun for the entire family.
Playing to a draw isn't a waste of time, but as a soccer fan, it's difficult to pay much attention to MLS, which is a league that is on par with something like A & AA baseball. The Fire is an above-average side in the league, but still, compared with the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, well, it just doesn't compare.
The MLS needs to observe the international breaks, get rid of these salary cap issues, and then they'll start getting more talent -- and, in turn, might get some credibility as a league.