Our last regular season game of 2014 was a short trip to Montreal, and I’m not sure the sun ever came out while we were there. Regardless, we earned a 1-1 tie, setting a club record for points in a season (59 total), and now we move on to the MLS Playoffs. Here are a few observations from the weekend in Montreal.
1. PLAYOFFS
It’s that time of the year where everything is magnified and the tension runs high. The playoffs are next weekend, and the Black-and-Red will find out who it will face after the play-in game Thursday night. Either way, United will have its home playoff game on Saturday, Nov. 8. You won’t want to miss it. Buy tickets here.
2. Our goalkeepers are bigger than small planes
With a short flight to Montreal, you don’t need a big plane. But the small aircraft we boarded was a little snug for Bill Hamid and Joe Willis. As you can see, Hamid has to sit sideways for leg room and Willis isn’t exactly standing up straight.
3. No Shave November and Playoff beards
Is it a coincidence that our playoff run starts one day into No Shave November? The answer is no. I would say get ready to see some interesting facial hair from the guys.
4. Lewis Neal is a true veteran
Every road trip we take a team walk on the morning before the game, and this one was a little chilly and windy. While the rest of the team was in the park, open to the elements, Lewis Neal found the perfect stretching spot – in an all glass bus stop – where no wind could get to him— veteran move.
5. Ben Olsen will give you the shirt off his back…or shoes off his feet
We had just landed in D.C. and were riding the shuttle at the Dulles Airport to baggage claim. I happen to look over to see Ben Olsen talking to a kid and his mother on the shuttle. Ben and the kid start looking down at their shoes, and I’m not sure how this conversation started (I have a feeling the kid liked Ben’s new Nike’s), but I do know how it ended. Once we got off the shuttle Ben and the kid took off their shoes and traded before going their separate ways. A great day for the kid and a normal day of giving for Ben Olsen.
