View from the End Line: A Look Back at September’s Predictions

This should have been a good month. Sure, there were some tough matches on the schedule, but would you want to stand between a hungry animal and dinner? At least that is what I hoped this squad would exit the tunnel before every match feeling like. I also may need to limit the number of whiskeys before interacting with the mystic world.

Sept. 1 vs. Philadelphia Union

Prediction: 2-1 City.

Actual: 2-2 draw.

A match that started so great, with an early goal from Dom Dwyer, took a turn 23 minutes later when the Union tied it up. The Cardiac Cats were on full display, at times seemingly trying to hand the game to Philly, and at times trying to take all three points. With two minutes left in the match, Philly took the lead, breaking the hearts of the home crowd, only to have Scott Sutter cement his place in the lore of last-minute heroics for the club. Oh, and not to jump around too much, the last goal of September.

Sept. 8 at Sporting Kansas City

Prediction: 2-1 City.

Actual: 1-0 Sporting Kansas City.

A homecoming ruined for Dom Dwyer and Oriol Rossell, both former SKC players. Dom had two fantastic 1-v-1 opportunities against Tim Melia of Sporting Kansas City, but Melia got the best of both meetings. All in all, it was a solid effort from the squad, especially on the defensive side, but the pressure being put on by SKC was bound to pay off eventually, and it unfortunately did early in the second half.

Sept. 16 at Chicago Fire

Prediction: 2-0 City.

Actual: 4-0 Fire.

This match stands as the fifth time the Lions have been beaten by three or more goals this season, and by a very unlikely opponent. In what was billed as a must-win match for either team, as both squads were mired at the bottom of the East, City let whatever glimmer of hope it had for maintaining some dignity be used as kindling in Chicago as they set fire to the pitch.

Sept. 22 vs. Houston Dynamo

Prediction: 3-0 City.

Actual: 0-0 draw.

There were a few interesting story lines with this match, but the biggest could possibly be Adam Grinwis. Making his MLS debut, Grinwis stood strong between the woodwork and secured only the second shutout for the Lions this season, the other being all the way back in April. He also had a back four in front of him that we have all hoped to see all season, but the litany of issues this season has not allowed it to come to fruition. This was a tale of two defenses, and also the third straight match where City failed to score. We may have seen the future of the back half of the team, but we witnessed the continued question marks up top.

I don’t even know what to say after all of that. I am doing pretty well in staying upbeat as I have been in situations like this before, but it is getting more and more difficult every week. It doesn’t help that my new-ish Eastern European crystal ball seems broken and is playing with our emotions. Maybe I need to throw bones, read tarot cards, or read tea leaves. The crystal ball just doesn’t seem to be working.