No, it can't be over, can it?
Please don't let it be over.
Don't let Orlando City's amazing, trailblazing season come to an end.
Don't let the Lions go home just yet.
They've been too much fun; they've spread too much joy; they've actually given us something to root for and rally around during this abysmal, awful pandemic-plagued year.
"I could not be prouder of this group," said first year coach and franchise savior Oscar Pareja. "It has been an honor for me to coach them."
But, sadly, Pareja's fabulous first season is over by virtue of Orlando City's 3-1 loss to the New England Revolution in the MLS Eastern Conference semifinals Sunday at the Purple Palace. It was the final game in this season of firsts: First playoffs. First playoff victory. And, sigh, first playoff loss.
Too bad a season of such celebration and jubilation had to end like this: In bitterness, in frustration, in anger; with emotions erupting, tempers flaring and Orlando City's players and coaches feeling as if they weren't just playing against their opponent, but also against MLS officiating.
Whatever inner ill will the Lions were harboring, it caused them to lose their composure and make mistakes, including one monumental blunder in the 60th minute. That's when Orlando City veteran midfielder Mauricio Pereyra was rightfully given a red card and ejected from the match after he came in spikes-up and gouged New England's Matt Polster in the back of the calf.
The referee immediately showed the red card and Orlando City players, including team captain Nani, went berserk, argued vehemently and even made physical contact with the official. But they were arguing a call that was inarguable. Pereyra made a huge mistake that changed the complexion of the game.
"Today, there was a moment where we lost our head and that cannot happen," Pareja said in his postgame news conference. "... At this moment, there is a lot of pain and frustration that we have been carrying in the last 10 days."
Obviously, Orlando City's coach and his team haven't taken kindly with having at least one of their players red-carded and having to play a man down in three of their last four home matches. In last week's incredible playoff victory over NYCFC, Orlando City had two players tossed out of the match, including starting goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, who was suspended from Sunday's game because of last week's ejection.
"Every game we play at home, it seems like there's zero tolerance (from the officials,)" Nani said. "That makes it tough on us emotionally."
Even so, Orlando City has won matches before when they were a man down. They did it last week against NYCFC, playing the final 43 minutes with 10 men to send the game into penalty kicks. The Lions, trailing 2-1, actually had chance to tie the match on Sunday even after they went a man down following Pereyra's ejection.
Orlando City rookie Daryl Dike was taken down from behind in the box and earned a penalty kick. That's when everybody started to wonder: Could it be another miracle? Could Orlando City win another playoff game while playing 10-on-11?
Ah, but this time it wasn't to be. Nani, the team captain, was chosen to take the kick and fired his shot to the left side of the net, but New England goalkeeper Matt Turner guessed right and made a massive save to keep the score 2-1. If somehow Nani had converted, it might have swung the momentum of the match and put all the pressure on New England.
According to teammates, Nani cried after the game because he felt he had let his teammates down at the moment they needed him most.
"I will take responsibility," Nani said. "Today, I couldn't make the penalty kick. I feel sorry for my teammates because the dream finished right there."
But what a dream and a dream season it was. Yes, this final loss is disappointing, but not when you put it in perspective. Unlike past seasons when Orlando City left the pitch for the final time, there's actually a feeling of hope and optimism about the future.
Who will ever forget the previous five seasons of disenchantment, discontent and dysfunction? In the past, the hapless, hopeless Lions were simply playing out the string at the end of another miserable, depressing season; fans were grumbling; ownership was anxious; the head coach's job was perennially in jeopardy.
Not anymore. Pareja, in one magnficient season, has put some pep in the step of Orlando City's beleaguered, bedraggled franchise. He and this Orlando Gritty team have restored the emotion and devotion of a fan base that had begun to lose faith.
"We made history this season," said midfielder Junior Urso, who scored the Lions' only goal Sunday. "Orlando City had never been to the playoffs, but I want more. We want more. So let's try to get it next season."
I don't know about you, but I can't wait.
For the first time in Orlando City history, this season ended way too suddenly and next season can't get here quick enough.
