Dear Trixie,

Trix, it's been a minute.  I'll get to that.  But let's start with some recaps of the games.  In an uneven game, that can really only be described as disappointing, we lost 0-1 to Toronto.  Followed by two losses that were straight up embarrassing; 1-4 in Chicago and 0-3 in a living nightmare/deja vu at Kansas City.  Followed by two scrappy, at times ugly, wins against Salt Lake and Portland.  Finally, an abysmal performance in Columbus last night with another 0-3 loss.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to take the 3 points from RSL.  And I always and forever be grateful for 3 points from the Timbers.  You can chalk up the loss to the Crew as being spread thin, but we are undeniably in rough shape.  Injuries continue to plague us and our attack has no focus.  Worse, World Cup Qualifiers have arrived, and, because MLS cannot for the life of them figure out a GD international break, we've lost Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris for international call up's to the men's national team.  Of course, I'm happy for those two and will be glad to see them represent our club and country on the pitch, but... during a 3 game week? When there was a slim chance we're finding some rhythm (or at the very least grinding out good results and finding ways to win)?  This is devastating.  Our attack has turned from toothless to... I dunno, jawless?

Because we're in a World Cup qualifying year, this will continue to happen.  We've got a friendly on June 4th, Trinidad & Tobago on June 9th, and face Mexico at the Azteca on June 12th.  Then we have Gold Cup games throughout July.  It's a lot.

What's this all mean for the Sounders?  I actually started writing before the Crew game last night but even then I was not optimistic about our chances.  And I reckon we'll see more of the same at home facing Houston, unless half of the Dynamo are swept up in the call up for Honduras' qualifiers, even the ones that aren't from Honduras (aaaaand I just checked, their scheduled miraculously worked out so that the 3 players called up will show up after the game against Seattle).  All this leaves us lucky to come away with even a point per game and we're 14 games through a 34 game schedule or 7/17.  Just 3 games from the halfway point.

As you may have picked up by now, I'm feeling pretty down about the Sounders and how their season might shape up.  I'm clinging to the hope of a summer transfer window miracle which will solve our woes in the attack (and maybe pick up a right back for the backline).  But will lightning strike twice?  It's really hard to say.  And, looking forward, more disappointments at club level may be down the road.  Next summer is World Cup, which is awesome for so many reasons.  League play is not one of them.  We could be missing key players in the summer again Jordan Morris, Clint Dempsey, Nico Lodeiro, Joevin Jones, Roman Torres, and there's been chatter about giving Christina Roldan a call-up.

"So, why not just choose to not care?" I hear the hypothetical you that can form complete sentences ask.  You're right, sports don't matter.  They have no meaning or intrinsic value.  They’re certainly not important than life.  Which has pulled me away of late.  Hell, I made a move to live in Ireland for the moment; that’s certainly big life stuff.  So why bend over backwards to catch a few games on a cruddy, pixelated stream?  I guess, sports mean nothing in the same way that art means nothing or paper money means nothing or jokes mean nothing or the color red means nothing or any host of other things.  The truth is all of these (and so much more) means something because we ascribe those things value.  Truly Trix, there is nothing so great in this world as caring about something.  About loving so deeply and passionately that you weep for it whether in sadness or joy.  I share all this about soccer with you only because I care about it so much.  And likewise goes for those closest to me, I would want to share what I care about with the folks I care about most.  As you get older, soccer may not be your thing.  But whether it's playing piano or doing calculus or architecture or archery or optometry or gardening or scuba diving or whatever, do what you love and don't let anybody suggest that you simply choose to not care.

Yours Caringly,

That couldn't have gone much better for Toronto: Jermain Defoe bags two, and TFC earns a three points on the road in its MLS opener.