The Vancouver Whitecaps are off to a strange start in their inaugural season in Major League Soccer.
To date, it’s been a season in which they don't know whether to laugh or cry.
As Charles Dickens wrote: "It was the best of times, it the worst of times."
In a city known for its interminable wet and dreary spells, Mother Nature has smiled approvingly on match days. For the most part the weather has been spectacular.
The perfect conditions for Wednesday night's Nutrilite Canadian Championship (NCC) final first leg were typical of what the locals have been enjoying this season.
They've also been witness to some wonderfully entertaining games.
But at the same time, there have been some dreadful and heartbreaking disappointments. Through 11 games the Whitecaps still have just the solitary opening day victory over rival Toronto FC.
They also have a NCC win over Montreal and now should have one over Toronto as well. Toronto FC head coach Aron Winter was quick to point out that it was satisfying to get a result without playing their best.
There's the understatement of the year.
Vancouver should have demolished the Reds on this evening. They were the much better team. And yet in many ways they're like Toronto has been for much of their existence. And by that we mean thy are a team that fails to finish its chances. It seemed like they had dozens. For a change, Toronto was the team that capitalized on what wasn't even an obvious scoring opportunity at all.
And to rub salt into the wound from the Whitecaps persepective, there was of course the non-call when TFC defender Adrian Cann sent Vancouver forward Camilo sprawling in the box.
No debate there. It was as clear cut as it gets.
Only the call for a penalty kick never came. Vancouver will get no sympathy from the Reds. They've had their own share of mystifying calls in a season in which it seems referees across North America have suddenly forgotten how to do the job.
It’s an epidemic isn't it?
But kudos to Vancouver supporters who ventured out to Empire Field on an evening when there was apparently a pretty big hockey game in town.
The announced crowd of more than 15,000 was more than many people had predicted. There was concern in fact, that the gathering would be tiny. So now it’s on to Toronto for the second leg with TFC having that crucial away goal in their back pocket after escaping with a 1-1 draw.
It felt like a loss for Vancouver. Head coach Teitur Thordarson must be ready to pull out his hair right about now. He had everything in his favour Wednesday night. A well-rested, healthy team without the complication of an upcoming MLS game three days later.
Their next encounter will be the second leg next week while Toronto was scheduled to remain in Vancouver an extra day before flying straight to Colorado and their league match with the Rapids Sunday.
So in fact, it all plays to Vancouver's advantage yet again.
It doesn't seem to matter though, does it? Lady luck has smiled on Toronto as they march towards their third straight NCC title and the Voyageurs Cup that goes with it.
Then again, anything can happen.
We've seen that with the Whitecaps this season, and we've certainly seen it with the Nutrilite Canadian Championship over the years.
