“Deserve got nuthin’ to do with it”

Nov 9

**Stolen The Wire Epigraph**

For those of you who haven’t seen The Wire, it is a show about a haute cuisine chef who takes over the family business…selling heroin outside of a sandwich shop.

I use this particular quote from The Wire quite a bit. Probably more than anyone wants me to. This time I want to expand it, paraphrase the sentiment, and soften it to a degree: An outcome isn't necessarily a reflection on what you deserve, it's just your time to experience it.

Racing did almost nothing wrong in its match against Washington, but that didn’t change the outcome. It shouldn't cheapen the result, nor should it make it easier to digest. Somebody has to win, and somebody has to lose in playoff matches. It's a cruel fate to let a match go to penalties, but what other option is there?

Every team bar one gets eliminated in a season. It was just Racing’s time. Depending on your perspective there may be no solace in that or there may be plenty of it. The fact that Racing came up just short seems right. It seems to sum up the season perfectly.

Racing found itself level at the end of the first half of regular time, the end of regular time, the first half of extra time, and at the end of extra time. If that didn’t prove that Racing was exactly where they belonged, I don’t know how to convince you otherwise.

It wasn’t Racing’s best performance of the season, nor near its worst, but maybe it was the one in which all of us could be the proudest. It was a “never quit” performance. It wasn’t one that showed a ton of “fighting back” because it was one where they were the better team for noticeable stretches.

For the longest of times, Racing has been dealing with being not quite good enough when the margins are at their finest. In this case however, the margins where barely there (they still exist and I will get there when I close the curtains on the season in a future post). They belonged in the playoffs, and they belong in the playoffs in the future. They may not always get there, but now we know the possibility exists.

Post Match Moment of the Match

Arin Wright was emotional and proud of the team and the effort. “Deserve” came up as it always does when you play well, but you all know my feelings on that. She also added that this was the beginning of something. I hope that's true. It feels like it is true. She then mentioned that this was the season the Racing found its identity. I feel like that is true too. In her words, “we found what made us, us.”

Janine Sonis was also proud of the fight from the team and I think we all can get behind that sentiment.

Coach Bev echoed the sentiments of disappointment, sadness, but ultimately pride in the team's effort in the match and the season.

This section of my post-match wrap up pieces has essentially become a recap of the post-match media availability, and I have been lazy about picking out my “favorite” part. This time it was pretty easy. I got to say this to Bev:

“I don’t think anybody considers this season for Racing anything other than a massive success.”

She smiled and said, “thank you for saying it in that manner.”

Excuse my vanity…more on that later.

Were the Announcers Good?

Kate Scott and Lori Lindsey were on the call. They found a good balance calling the match and while Racing fans might generally disagree with their assessment that Washington were the clear favorites and that Racing ultimately was playing with house money, that is how the neutral observer would have seen it too. When it went to penalties, they were still pushing the narrative that Racing “had nothing to lose.” I don't think that is ever true in a match that goes to penalties, but I get what they were trying to say.

TV Kit Rating

One of the reasons I don’t like Racing’s green kits was evident in this match. In the shade they essentially disappeared which isn’t a great viewing experience. NO MORE DARK GREENS KITS AFTER THIS ONE PLEASE!

I am a fan of Washington's highlighter kits. They are the best kit that the Spirit has worn in a long time. From my kit rating piece:

“I have hated every other Washington jersey that I have ranked, but I love this one. It was my top choice, but that’s democracy for you. Many people despise yellow and yellow jerseys. I love them. I like the mix of greens and yellow. I hope Washington sticks with yellow on future kit releases.”

I will stick with that assessment. 8/10

The Kayla Fischer Honorary Yellow Card of the Match (brought to you by Taylor Flint)

This was a well-played match and a fairly played one. Borges picked up a card late but rode it out through extra time. If was a well officiated match and a good representation of the quality of football in the NWSL.

“Sentimental is part of the deal”

“Wild Horses”/Jordan: The Comeback/1990”

I don’t know how much I will remember this match in a year. If Racing goes on to do bigger and better things this match will be a footnote. Kayla Fischer scored a goal that meant so much until it meant nothing. It is a shame, but the only way to get over it is to score more and make them count for more. Players will probably be retaking their missed penalties in their dreams for weeks, but I hope they come to some sort of peace with it. Washington was just slightly better because they were much more experienced.

When you watch sports for long enough, you will have favorite seasons and teams. If you are an “experience over results” person, sometimes that means that you recall teams fondly even if they don’t win anything shiny. I can recall several teams that I remember more fondly than “better” teams that won trophies or championships. I won’t bore you with an extensive list, but in general I think everyone likes teams that are “good when they aren’t supposed to be” or “ahead of schedule” at building something. I will always treasure the 2021 version of Racing. They were the first. There was a lot to hate about that season because of what happened off the pitch, but there was also a lot of bravery in it. This team will also be right up there among my favorites. There was a lot of difficulty in this season too, but many, many bright spots. I just hope the memories don’t dull as much as they always tend to do.

This is site is an unapologetic vanity project. I think that is crystal clear. If it wasn’t fun I wouldn’t do it. If it was objective, I wouldn’t do it. This year I realized that it was richer to share it with Elizabeth and I want to thank her for her contributions which include more than the readers will ever know.

This site can now remind me when I forget, but I hope I never forget this season.

Michael Shaw