Welp, here we are. International break is upon us, and the Loons look like they’re due for some rest and review of the first-half of the 2023 campaign. And, oh boy, has it had its share of twists, turns and tumultuous moments. Hell, that might even be underselling it. While the 4-0 shellacking at the hands of CF Montréal wasn’t exactly the high note the boys were hoping to hit as they head into the break, when you consider some of the less-than-kind preseason predictions, things could be looking bleaker than they do currently.
Obviously, there isn’t a player or coach on this club that would claim they’re content with being 10th in the Western Conference standings. But, is there any point in this season (so far) where the odds haven’t been stacked against the boys in Black and Blue? It’s definitely felt that way from the get-go when you consider Reynoso’s early absence, paired with many other hurdles such as playing without seven regular starters during an international break, the loss of Robin Lod to injury, and the physical toll incurred by those 2-game-per-week stretch over the past month or so. But, in the words of Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight (pre-facial disfigurement), “the night is always darkest before the dawn…” And, with Emanuel Reynoso back in the fold and a transfer window in which the club is actively looking to add more talent, there is at least some promise that the dawn is coming in the second-half of the 2023 season.
MIDSEASON MVP:
Bongokuhle. Freaking. Hlongwane. Forward
Man of the people. A man who has a smile that could cure terminal illness. I can’t prove that…but don’t we all hope that I’m right? The potential that burst onto the pitch in 2022 has begun to make good on developing that raw talent into a more polished, more potent skill set in 2023. His presence in the attacking third has been nothing short of crucial to the Loons this season. Fans knew he had the speed after last season, but Bongi’s game has developed in ways that make him more of the scoring threat that the Loons have needed him to be in 2023. He looks confident and more in control of the ball when the Loons are looking to score on counter-attack opportunities. Add to that his defensive prowess, which has proven to be just as valuable to the club. Besides developing his game to the next level, he’s just got that Danny Rojas-energy and you can see it in the way he plays, and dances in celebration of the game he loves.
BEST PLAYER ACQUISITION (SO FAR)
Micky Tapias, Defender
Oh, Micky, you (so much better than) fine. After spending the last four years with Liga MX side CF Pachuca, Miguel “Micky” Tapias came to the club to provide much-needed support in light of entering the 2023 season without a still-recovering Bakaye Dibassy. After playing nearly every minute up to this point in the season, providing “support” feels like a bit of an understatement. And, with all the time he’s put in on the pitch, he’s proven to be a critical piece of the starting XI. Not only that, Tapias has value on the attacking end and set pieces, as he proved early on when he notched a game-winning header in Colorado. Also, the pairing of Tapias with Michael Boxall in the center back spots has formed a solid core in front of Dayne St. Clair that have provided solid performances on a game-to-game basis — something that was lacking in the back half of 2022. May all those workman-like performances continue to be a Tapias trademark for the entirety of the season.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Midseason Edition
The Good:
4/1/23 - 1-0 over at St Louis CITY SC
With an undefeated start through the first month of the season, the Loons came into this matchup already proving pundits and prognosticators wrong. But, with their club sitting at the top of the table in the Western Conference, CITY certainly didn’t look like your stereotypical expansion club. In fact, they entered the contest not just undefeated, but with a record of 5-0-0, the best start for an expansion club in MLS history. Add in the home-field advantage of the loud, energetic, ravioli-drunk crowd at CITYPARK, and you’ve got some pretty tough odds to overcome. But, it would be a Luis Amarillia penalty kick in the 78th minute and a solid defensive effort down the stretch that would help the Loons pull off the perfect “April Fools” prank on St Ravioli CITY SC — a 1-0 win. Celebratory dancing would commence soon after the final whistle.
The Bad:
3/25/23 - 1-1 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps
After outplaying the visitors from the north for the full ninety minutes, refs would serve up a rather generous six minutes in stoppage time, that actually turned out to be eight. And, the Loons nearly went the distance in what felt like the longest eight minutes of everybody’s life…nearly. Then, *big sigh* in the 98th minute, it would be Vancouver’s Simon Betcher that would just slip the ball by keeper Clint Irwin to get the draw, and tragically, steal away three points from the Loons and leave fans feeling similar to when The Sopranos finale just cut to black…worst plot twist ever.
The Ugly:
6/10/23 - 4-0 loss at CF Montréal
The wounds are still fresh for this one, so I won’t belabor on the subject. All I know is that just 13 minutes into the game, I could already hear the “Curb Your Enthusiasm” theme begin to play in my head. "Highlights" below, watch at your own risk.
LOOKING AHEAD
As mentioned earlier, no player, coach or fan beams with optimism when you’re sitting in 10th place. But, I just don’t believe the glass should feel half-empty as we approach the second-half of the season. The entire MLS is aware of Emanuel Reynoso’s game-changing talent, and he has yet to properly embarrass defenders on the regular. The creativity he injects into this squad was such a missing dynamic component that is no longer in flux. Being active during the transfer window just might top it off for the Black and Blue, and turn the second half of the season into that glass-half-full feeling in a hurry.