I’m writing this looking down at a darkened field teeming with Fire fans waiting for the July 4th fireworks. There’s always a hint of transgressive glee when fans are allowed onto the field, but after the events of the evening, there was plenty of glee in the building anyway.
This was catharsis.
In the opening minutes, as the Fire jumped out to a 2-0 lead, it felt prudent to glance up at the clock, to factor in how many phases of the game were still to come, and to calm yourself. There was a lot of soccer still to be played after all, and this was the reigning MLS Cup holders, who’d been playing into ominous form.