“They can chew you up, but they gotta spit you out.”

Courtesy of the NWSL

Stolen The Wire Epigraph

"They can chew you up, but they gotta spit you out."

This was another painful point for Racing. It stung tremendously at the moment three points turned into one. How do you put something like that behind you?

Quickly, is the only correct answer.

With some distance and perspective, I think that everyone will look back at this as a good point won on the road against a top team. Some of the things that have always plagued Racing came back to plague them again on the evening, but I have a sense that this time things might actually be different. If there is one lesson that I hope is taken to heart it is this one: late in matches don’t be selfish, be self-aware.

For the second match in a row Ary Borges needed consoling at the end. The own goal wasn’t her fault. Giving away possession under those specific circumstances to lead to the equalizing goal absolutely is. Wright had an equally daft moment to lead to the first goal. On Ary’s play, she has to make the decision to dribble forward and do it quickly if she is going to go “on her own”. I don’t think I have been more infuriated with a seemingly innocuous decision in a match this year. She has absolutely no excuse to have that much space and to be caught on the ball in that situation. Borges had an eventful substitute appearance. She does many things well, but my biggest pet peeve with any player is to get caught in possession in the middle of the pitch in your own half when a pass gets you out of trouble. You absolutely cannot be that selfish/unaware.

However, you take the bad with the good and the rest of her performance was mostly good. She won a penalty by showing a desire to be in the box, which is something that Racing lacked on a few golden opportunities early in the match. Too many times, Racing was one attacker short on promising runs. If Balcer can get back to 100% match fitness, she would probably find herself in prime poaching areas.

Racing didn’t convert on their best chances in open play, so they could have had a goal or two more. All in all, the result was probably fair. It must have been an interesting experience for Racing to be on the beneficial side of a questionable officiating performance. The Audi Field crowd was rightfully upset with plenty of missed calls from the officiating crew. Almost all of them seemed to benefit Racing. I don’t think any of them were game-changing, but it is still frustrating as a fan to see missed calls.

Post Match Moment of the Match

The post-match presser got started fairly late. I am sure nobody felt like talking after the match. I hung around and asked Bev, Janine, and Taylor a few questions. Bev looked as down as I have even seen her. I felt really bad for her because I think that she felt and said that the team “deserved” all three points. If you read this space, you know my disdain for the word “deserved”, but I will let it slide here. They were close to three points and let’s leave it at that. I asked all of them how they would move on quickly, because that is what you have to do. I thought Bev said something noteworthy about how to move forward. On the draw, she said that the team should “sit in it and remember the feeling.” That works if you learn, and sitting is okay, you just can’t dwell in it.

I asked Sonis if the feeling among the group was one of disappointment or heartbreak. She surprised me a little saying that it was closer to heartbreaking. On how to be better at the end of the match, she suggested that they “don’t cause their own chaos” which is a sentiment that I fully agree with. “We’ll digest it” was her parting comment on the match.

Flint talked about her propensity to be brave and take on hopeful shots. I like this quality in her. She echoed Bev’s and Janine’s sentiments on disappointment.

Were the Announcers Good?

Mike Watts and Lianne Sanderson were on the call. Hooray! The A team.

Subsection: How was their “Louisville”?

Louisvillians are persnickety on the pronunciation of their beloved hometown. I will be monitoring the broadcaster’s commitment to getting it right.

Watts: Mike calls enough Lou City games that he effortlessly gets it right.

Lianne: French, but in that anglicized French way. Charmingly 3 syllables. I love Lianne. I can’t be objective when it comes to her.

They were great. We had friends over, so I didn’t pick up all of the commentary, but I did pick up a few things. Mike Watts said “alas” at some point, which was hilarious. He also playfully commented on something being “risqué” when he obviously meant “risky”. That was a little too cutesy for me, but Watts is confident play-by-play guy so I give him some leeway. His goal calls can’t be beat. He was properly excited on both of the Spirit goals.

Like I said, if you are an expecting objective breakdown on Lianne you have come to the wrong place. Regardless, she was excellent. She always is on her game. Part of my particular enjoyment in hearing her commentary is that we are often thinking the same thing. It’s probably our “Arsenal Way” of watching the game.

TV Kit Rating

There was a halftime feature on the Spirit’s Player of the Match award. I love the ghost shape and that the award for this season is painted to match the highlighter yellow jersey with its green accents. However, on the evening they opted for their piece of crap black/grey number. It reads as black on the screen. I hate black kits. They are so boring. 1/10

The Kayla Fischer Honorary Yellow Card of the Match

Fisher now finds herself on the bench behind Weber (not sure about this move) so other players have to step up and pick up the silly yellows. On the evening it was Ella Hase with the silliest card of the bunch. Her “momentum” carried her into Kingsbury late in the match which delayed the keeper in making a throw. In a match where the center official has already issued a card for delaying the restart, this one seemed avoidable. Ary’s tactical yellow on Kouassi turned out to be a good one.

“Time is the healer. Time was on my hands”

“Tiffanys”/Protest Songs/1989

With more distance, this draw will sting less…if Racing makes the playoffs. I am still on the playoff bandwagon. I think it is inevitable now. It would be grossly unfair for Racing to miss the playoffs based on their performances so far this year. You have to believe that they will start to accumulate the necessary points soon to have things wrapped up enough not to worry too much on the last day. I know that is a bold prediction, but the evidence is pointing in that direction. The real test will come later when they need to take care of business against the also-rans, but I think these painful draws might actually help in that regard.

Still, you would rather have the three points here. In fact, “Time is no healer. In truth, she plays no part.”  Only if Racing actually carries this sting with them and uses the pain to be better will there be any healing. They have repeatedly found themselves giving up late goals, so one could argue that they still lack something vital. I like to draw the line there. The teams that Racing has faced in the last two matches are among the best. To expect them not to fight to the end is to disrespect them. To be in a position to win is a good achievement. I don’t know what else to say other than things “feel” different this time around.