While the weather conditions were questionable the entire week leading up to the match against Chicago, the Idiots proved themselves to be resilient and never backed off from their mission to get together yet again for what would be the 5th tie of a season that seems to be over before it ever really started. Weather forecasts, and even the reliable Doppler 4000, leading up to game day had prognosticated rain; a reminder of the past home games and perhaps a sign of the game’s final outcome.
I, for one, didn’t care so long as I got out of the house and, not to mention, that I was also looking forward to unloading the grill, the bag, the 7 chairs, the table, the condiments, plastic cups, 2 packs of burgers, 1 pack of hot dogs, and buns for said meats. Needless to say, my hope for unloading the stuff was matched only by my hope that Amado would make peace with the team and that the Red Bulls would finally win a match. As many of you now know Amado continues to be a sore on the buttocks of the Red Bulls and the team tied again. Also, I still have the grill. Subsequently I have filed a petition with the FRI membership to have the list reordered such that my name is not followed by Paul, Joey, or Jason; the names of those Idiots that are not likely to show to a game.
At the tailgate were Greg, Ronen, junior Idiot David (who at this point has been to more games than Jason and Paul), and myself. Keith and Ryan (unofficial member) met us in the middle the tailgate after having had the pleasure of watching the Devils successfully and temporarily defend their playoff spot. David spent most of his time in the back of Greg’s truck playing with garbage. He also spent his time taunting Keith for not being able to break the screen of an old TV set in the back of Greg’s truck. In Keith’s defense he did ding it… a little with the 10 lb hitch. Ofer and his junior Idiots joined us later.
As far as the game, it started off with some confusion over Meola’s absence and substitution. In for Meola was Jon Conway who all-in-all had a decent game. The Red Bulls scored their first goal in the first half. The goal was credited to Jean Phillipe Peguero who headed in a cross from Seth Stammler in the 27th minute. Although the team managed its passing and possession well in the first half, the team struggled with dominating the midfield. It’s perhaps for this reason that Mo Johnston decided to sub rookie Marvell Wynne for Amado Guevara. Amado reacted by walking off the field and sitting in the stands with his wife for the remainder of the game.
The game ended in a tie as a result of a penalty kick taken by Chicago’s Diego Gutierrez after Red Bulls Danny O’Rourke took down Nate Jaqua in the box.