Y’all, I normally say that you can only talk about a match for 24 hours, then you move on. A final, however, feels different (especially for the winning side).

For me, I want to talk about it one more time. I’ve watched the final three times now.

Final thoughts …

I am more mad about the handballs … they are bad misses, especially the second. Some want to point to a potential handball on Russell (and he does sheepishly pull his arms back), but I think it would have been the harshest of three.

Frustrated with the pen …

I looked like a stonewall pen from the pressbox. On rewatch, much less so, but I understand why it’s given. Russell goes to ground when he didn’t need to (he had cover) and he throws his leg out. You put yourself at the mercy of the other player there.

I am less pissed at the overall ref performance. I think he got several big calls wrong. However, he controlled the match well, and he let the players play.

With how visibly frustrated CFC players were, he could have been worse on us.

Less frustrated with the performance, but more frustrated with the coverage and narrative … I think 3-0 flatters DCFC. I’m not going to be silly and claim that CFC deserved to win. After all, DCFC finished two chances, CFC didn’t.

We were missing some key pieces and that forced other key pieces to be out of position. We can play better, a lot better and I hope we start this weekend.

A draw would not be a bad result here. This is one of the better sides and it’s on the road.

One thing I know … they will fight for the crest and I will be right there with them.

DG

But man, do we need Dixon and Kasak in the back line and Tate at the base of midfield … soccer Gods, please give me those things this weekend.