by Friday, June 1st, 2018 – Detroit City FC 8 FC Indiana 0
In my illustrious superlative adequate rec soccer career, I’ve played on teams ranging from good to really really bad. In the case of the latter, it’s one thing to lose, but it’s another to have your spirit crushed and your will to resist stripped away. There are few things more frustrating than being dribbled around for the fifteenth time by someone who’s obviously leagues better than you are, or when said someone complains profusely to the referee two minutes later because you accidentally clipped their heel trying desperately to catch up to them.
Arguably the only thing worse, though, is being on the opposite side. After you score five or six and it becomes evident that there’s no challenge forthcoming, the match devolves into a slow-motion execution. You no longer get any joy from scoring outrageous goals and pinging together passes like you’re 2008 Barcelona, but you feel compelled to continue, in order to help the other team learn about themselves by providing a little insurmountable adversity.
Watching Friday’s match was the first time I’ve ever felt genuinely sorry for an NPSL team. Much like Old Yeller, FC Indiana was not the one to cry for. City, aka Travis (the kid with the gun), faced the unenviable moral burden of doing what had to be done, and they’re the ones who truly deserve our compassion.
My heart ached for City as they went to their thankless task.
First came goals from Stephen Carroll, Shawn Lawson, and Rafa Mentzingen, who did their utmost to help Indiana learn by repeating the lessons they had taught them just five days earlier. (Those three also scored against Indiana the previous Sunday).
Then Seb Harris stepped to the spot. Surely he didn’t want to bury his penalty, but he felt he owed it to the keeper. His solemn demeanor immediately thereafter showed that he took no joy in his duty.
A little later, it was Dave Edwardson’s turn. His snap shot practically screamed, “LET ME HELP YOU! I’M TRYING TO HELP YOU!”
The captain. #DCTID pic.twitter.com/dG7UgAQT3I
— Detroit City FC (@DetroitCityFC) June 2, 2018
Oh, what anguish they must’ve felt. Just look at their faces.
Finally, mercifully, it ended.
Indiana, character built and hardened by the experience, headed home. Despite another loss on Sunday, they scored their first two goals of the season. Perhaps the lessons are sinking in.
City now look to the biggest weekend of the season so far, one in which they must raise their game and become more than mere youth instructors. It’s too early to call next Sunday’s match with Ann Arbor a must-win, but it may be the last chance they have to stay in control of their own fate.
May City continue to earn our sympathy.
