Here’s another one where I start by telling you I don’t know where to start.
I woke up this morning inexplicably filled with love: love for my city, my club, my fellow TA.
And then I remembered Gavin.
I’ve had a headache ever since.
It wasn’t enough that we suffered through CalFC. This time, we got on buses, traveled 180 miles each way and were rewarded with what? Gavin’s try-outs for next season.
Hey, Gavin. That Cup means something to us. You disrespect us and the club by using what could have been the deciding match as a try-out for next season. This could have defined our season, could have salvaged what little hope we have left that we’re not the worst team out there run by the most incapable coaching staff available.
No, that’s not fair. This shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of the entire coaching staff. Just you, Gavin.
It was inexplicable, inexcusable to have fielded the team you did in Seattle. With Eric Alexander and Steven Smith on the bench? And, at this point, to play Ricketts over Bendik was asinine.
I mean, since we’re just doing try-outs for next season, right? Where were Richards and Kawulok and AJB and Renken and Rincon? If we’re just trying them out, where were the kids?
I’ll tell you where they were: not on the pitch. Most probably not even in Seattle.
What a line of horse-crap Gavin’s trying to feed us.
So, again, I’m going to say this:
I can’t believe we fired John Spencer. Those philosophical differences? Were they rooted in Spenny wanting to win and not being allowed to hold the reins long enough to steer us away from the cliff?
I don’t understand any of this.
I don’t think I’m alone.
And I don’t think it comes from admittedly knowing nothing about soccer. I know what I saw. I know what I wanted to see. They were not the same thing.
The #GWOut thing had kind of settled a bit. Somehow, I doubt that it’s going to stay settled if that Cup doesn’t get handed to us in Vancouver. Honestly, Gavin, if you don’t bring it back with you, just stay there.
I don’t ask for much. I want just two things: a line-up that doesn’t make me rage and that Cup. With Gavin at the helm, I doubt I’ll get either.
I’ll have more about the actual experience of #SeattleAway in a couple days. I’ll need a bit more time to process all of it.
octoberthoughtspdx 
Moe (@MoeRaise)
October 8, 2012 at 11:13 pm
Perfectly said.
Cindy
October 9, 2012 at 7:46 am
Excellent lovely lady…excellent.
Kristin
October 9, 2012 at 8:08 am
Beautifully, eloquently said. You have captured the turmoil rattling around inside me, and you most certainly are not alone.
Pam
October 9, 2012 at 8:36 am
Agree completely! It was the first away game my husband & I have ever been to. We purchased tickets, had awesome seats, and were so excited to watch the game…even surrounded by Sounder fans. That is, until the line up was broadcasted over the PA. I don’t know how we could change 80% of our defense (I understand we needed to replace injured Mosquera) including our keeper! Bendik was doing a great job in there. Why was Smith on the bench? Why was Fucito in & not Mwanga or Richards? After the game & hearing the ‘reasoning’ for the line-up from Gavin, it just makes me sick! Kawoluk & Richards were there warming up. Put Kawoluk in! He played great in the pre-season home tournament & is doing great in the reserves. He pushes forward, gets crosses in & tracks back on defense. We, the fans, already know that Palmer & Wallace can’t play in those positions…why does Gavin keep putting them there?! Midfield is the place for them…that way when they make mistakes it’s farther away from goal. The line up showed they had given up before even starting! So frustrating! Especially after shelling out big money for tickets, getting a sitter for our three kids, driving almost 400 miles round trip & not even seeing our team show up! This was THE single biggest game of the entire season & we piss it away giving try outs for players instead of trying to win. Gavin is all talk saying the fans deserve the Cup…you can’t talk out of both sides of your mouth!