and to even be competitive in the race to qualify for CONCACAF Champions League. But as the season progressed it seemed less and less likely. Lineup and substitution patterns were baffling at times (still are) and it seemed like this team was mentally soft or too easily pushed off their game. In hindsight I feel like this team took that cue from Petke... still some mental lapses but not the complete breakdowns we saw time and again over the last three years.

I am not sold on Freddy as our next coach but I think that is the least of our problems. The crap that went on with Petke and Waibel is no good for this club. I don't know how Zarkos comes out unscathed? We are looking for new leadership on the field and in the office. I hope this doesn't mean we miss the boat on the upcoming transfer window. We need some reinforcements.

It seems that Del loy Hansen, despite all of the stuff we have to be grateful to him for, is getting too involved at RSL. Maybe that is because of who we had/have leading that aspect of his businesses or maybe it is that he really wants to be in the day to day. He saved RSL for SLC and has invested incredibly. I hope that he doesn't start making decisions that will sink us as a competitive team though. That doesn't keep butts in the seats or keep us in the national conversation. RSL has slipped into treacherous territory in this league... we are irrelevant. Petke's outburst kept us in the news but our play and matches gets passing mentions. After yesterday's games I had to scroll for miles to reach a mention of RSL's final match. We just don't drive attention or do anything that keeps us in the MLS media spotlight. That's very bad.

Hopefully we can make a strong playoff run. Portland seems to be our kryptonite in recent years but if we can get past them (at our home) we've proven the ability to take down Seattle at home or away. Going on a strong playoff run would be awesome for this team... especially if we can somehow manage to grab one of the CCL bids in the process.

I am excited for the playoffs and seeing more RSL soccer. I am really nervous about the coming year(s) given all of the off the field crap going on at the club. I am not sure Del Loy has the right people leading the club and the rumors are not favorable. This Petke lawsuit is going to be a circus especially if it goes to trial.