Did you ever have a nightmare that seemed so real it took every fiber of your being to wrench yourself back into consciousness, at which point the relief that it was just a dream washes over you? Then imagine what MLS commissioner Don Garber and the folks at MLS HQ are experiencing right now. Except in their case, there is no waking up from their worst-case MLS Cup playoff scenario.
Inter Miami and its band of stars -- including Lionel Messi -- were eliminated from the postseason by Atlanta United, 3-2; their chance at a Supporters Shield and MLS Cup double turned to dust by a heroic effort on all fronts from the Five Stripes.