MLS Cup Moment #32 - Alecko's Handball

MLSsoccer.com named Alecko Eskandarian's second goal of the 2004 MLS Cup the 32nd best moment of the Final's history.  Here's a video of the goal as well as some reaction from Davy and Kerry.

This incident is probably why many Wizard's fans continue to refer to DC as Handball United. The DC faithful have always contended that he didn't do it on purpose.  The rules basically say that it's at the referee's discretion to determine whether a handball has been committed if a player handles a ball in order to avoid injury.  I think it's a clear handball and no referee, who had clearly seen it, would have let the goal the stand.

That season, that team, and that game are very special to me.  My family had always been to a handful of Wizards games every season since the league started in 1996.  By the 2004, I had become a pretty big fan of the team.  Half way through the season, my Dad told me that if the team made it to the Cup, he'd make sure we flew out to LA to see them play.  Lo and behold the Wiz made it to the championship and my Dad, brother, and I made the journey to the Home Depot Center.  The whole experience was incredible and heartbreaking.  We flew out in the morning and flew back to KC that night.  It was a tough game to watch with us giving up so many goals in such a short period of time, especially Alecko's second.  We railled a bit with Josh's PK conversion and kept up the pressure, but in the end it wasn't enough. 

From that day forward I was hooked and have been a die hard fan ever since.  I like the Royals.  I like the Chiefs.  But the Wizards are My team.

The guys that made up the roster for that game and that season have always been the core of my Wizard's dream team.  Jimmy Conrad (my all time favorite player) joined the team in 03 and established himself as our rock in the back alongside Nick Garcia.  Jose Burciaga made those runs down the left side and even had a left foot blast for our first goal in that final. Davy Arnaud had a breakout season that year and really established himself in the team's starting lineup.  Jack Jewsbury rallied from a disappointing rookie year and proved that he was a great utility player.  Kerry Zavagnin also played a key role and you can't forget Tony Meola and the all time greatest Wizard, Preki. For me these players defined the team and will forever be ingrained in my mind as Wizards and as players that established my passion for following this team. 

In the years since that final, the team has been through so much.  Its crazy to think that 7 years have passed.  I find my team with a new amazing ownership group, a new brand and official name, a new home, and with the exception of Davy, a completely new roster.  Over the past 7 years the team and its fan base has experienced near rock bottom (the only way it could have been worse is if we'd moved) to the highest of highs (for me walking into LIVESTRONG and finally feeling like we were home).

This season and run since we've been home has been an absolute ride.  I'd love to find myself back in LA come November.