Cincy Til I Die: Life as a Devoted Fan After the Big Loss
Yesterday was a day marked by high hopes and unbridled enthusiasm. As fans, we gathered in living rooms, local bars, and at TQL, clad in our Orange and Blue, ready to cheer our team to victory in the Hell is Real Derby. But sports, in its unpredictable nature, served us a different dish - a tough loss. Here's my take on being a fan the day after our hearts were collectively broken.
Waking up the day after feels different. I went to bed ANGRY. Not that we lost, but that I stood there the entire time that the Crew were out celebrating their win on our field. There was some sting to that. My #gameroom, is Orange and Blue. Where we record 95% of our content on this website is FC Cincinnati themed. We have FC Cincinnati pictures with our family in the hallway with players from previous teams. There’s a passion for this team in our household that is not unlike most of you that are reading this but, we are diehard ORANGE & BLUE supporters.
This morning, there's a palpable sense of what could have been. I found myself replaying key moments of the game in my mind, pondering over the 'ifs' and 'buts'. It’s a strange mix of disappointment and pride. Disappointment in the result, but an unwavering pride for the team I support.
I’ve been through it all with this team. I wrote a letter at one point to the front office explaining my disappointment with the direction that they were headed prior to Pat & Chris coming on board with the club. I don’t know if it was read, but I needed to express my frustration with where I was knowing that I watch probably 20+ hours of soccer each week… at least at various levels.
I’m proud of the fan base. I’m proud of the players and the organization… and yes, I did cry multiple times last night. Pre-match…post-match. I still can’t believe that the highest level of soccer in the US is being played in my home town.
For those of you that are struggling with last night’s result, here’s what I have for you:
Coping with the Loss:
Acceptance: It's crucial to accept the outcome. Sports are unpredictable, and part of being a fan is embracing both the highs and the lows.
Avoid the Blame Game: It's easy to start pointing fingers, but it's important to remember that it's a team effort, and losses are part of the game.
Connect with Fellow Fans: Sharing your feelings with others who understand can be incredibly therapeutic. Whether it's through social media, fan forums, or in person, connecting with those who share your passion can help in coping with the disappointment.
Looking for Positives:
What an AMAZING REGULAR SEASON! Supporter’s shield winners! That mean’s FCC had the best record in ALL OF MLS in the regular season.
They had a very good open cup run… stopped by the eventual winners Inter Miami and probably the greatest player to ever play the game (Messi)
It’s hard to find a lot of positives when you lose a match… but there were some players that literally gave it 100% until their bodies couldn’t give anymore. Lucho and Álvaro Barreal were both cramping up to the point where they could barely move at the end of the match last night. Roman Celentano played a very good match. He made some incredible saves to keep FCC in the match.
The Role of Perspective:
It's important to put the game into perspective. It's a passion, a hobby, and for many, an escape from the daily grind. The result of a game shouldn't impact our well-being or our relationships with others. Pat Noonan, in year 2 as a head coach won the supporters shield and got FCC to the Eastern Conference finals. For me, the supporter’s shield is the biggest thing.
Most of the biggest games in FCC’s young history, have been losses where they had a 2-0 lead. Don’t believe it… here’s the list:
Open Cup semifinal against Red Bulls (USL)
Open Cup semifinal against Inter Miami (MLS)
Eastern conference final against Columbus (MLS)
Moving Forward:
The beautiful thing about sports is that there's always the next game, the next season. We, as fans, get to ride this journey with our team, through ups and downs. The loss, as painful as it is, is part of the story of our team, and in many ways, it makes the victories even sweeter.
Being a fan isn’t just about celebrating victories; it’s about loyalty, passion, and resilience. The day after a big loss is tough, but it's also a reminder of why we love this game. We dust ourselves off, wear our team colors with pride, and get ready to cheer them on in the next challenge. Here's to being a fan, in good times and in bad, and finding joy in the journey, regardless of the destination.
#ALL4Cincy #GrowTheGame #SportsPassion
