So, a week later, I think I can write about the Revolution’s latest MLS Cup loss without wanting to smash my keyboard in a fit of rage. Maybe.

The Revs carried the play for most of the game, controlling the midfield and creating pretty well. That being said, it was still 0-0 at the end of regulation, and it looked for sure once overtime started that we’d be going to penalty kicks. I mean, the Revs hadn’t scored a goal in the run of play in 3 cup games, and timewise nearly 4. So I was settling in to watch Reis turn away a couple shots, nail one himself, and get us the win.

Then all of a sudden Twellman’s open on the left side and pots a beautiful goal just barely inside the far post. Finally, the Revs have managed to break their scoreless streak. There’s 6 minutes left to go, and the Revs are really good at packing their end in and defending a lead. I was busy quieting my daughter, who was wondering why I’d jumped half out of my seat and disturbed her nap, when I heard Ching score. A quick rewind revealed the stark horror…one good bound, some really lax defending, and that “I can’t believe they finally won it!” feeling was gone.

The penalties really seemed like a formality at that point, despite the fact that they were close up until the final kick, which Heaps seemed to flub. The Revs had lost as soon as Ching headed that equalizer in, a mere 40 seconds after Twellman’s goal.

The only thing I could think of as I deleted the game from my tivo was “so this was what it was like to root for Jim Kelly’s Bills teams.” 3 cups in 5 years, 5 consecutive conference championship appearances, and they just couldn’t finish the job. Worse, it’s really likely that we’re going to lose two of our top players, Clint Dempsey (the only American to score during the run of play in the World Cup), and our top midfielder, Shalrie Joseph. They’re both very likely headed for Europe next season. And while I can see the Revs replacing Dempsey’s offense, or at least compensating for it, I just can’t see them replacing Joseph. Especially not now that they also lost Pepe to the expansion draft.

Goddamn horrible way to end a season.