I wish I was more excited about opening day. It used to be I'd actually be nervous before the home opener; today I took a nap. I didn't even start writing this until the 23^rd minute, because nothing happened to take note of. Except the Inferno are stuck in the corner, like an impertinent child (back when you could stick a kid in the corner without risking arrest and civil action), and there's a strange row of people with yellow cards next to them, for a reason I can't really fathom.

On the field, I'm really glad to see Brek Shea and Dax McCarty starting, puzzled as to why Dave Van den Bergh was let go, and still a little sad to see Dominic Oduro wearing Orange.

I also notice that it is crazy windy in Dallas today, and that there are way too many empty seats. Of course, I'm partially to blame for that, since I should by all rights have made the trip from Oklahoma City to Dallas for this game. But, as has been the case for the last two seasons, our old nemesis, “real life” has once again increased the mileage between my house and Frisco from 200 miles to Infinity.

I hate real life.

Dominic almost scored twice already. There aren't going to be many defenders in this league who can keep up with him. If he ever becomes a Cunningham-esque finisher, he'll win the Golden Boot and end up in Europe somewhere.

Dax just got the first yellow card of the season, I guess for having the nerve to challenge Richard Mulrooney without asking permission to make physical contact first. Did Alex Prus happen to see the Seattle v Philadelphia game the other night? A challenge like the one Dax just made would have been only slightly more contact than took place during the opening handshake ceremony at that game. It took the Union about 20 seconds to get a yellow card, and a bit more than 20 minutes to have a guy tossed. They were brutal; it was like watching a mugging in the rain.

The fans in Philly are going to love those guys.

Well, we're behind. Some guy I've never heard of made a really nice run from the back and slid the ball past my man Darío to thenear post. Meh.

Speaking of Darío Sala, I really miss that guy. He would come to the tailgates and hang around. He may still do that, but I haven't been to one in two years. The man is genuinely a fine human being in addition to being a world class athlete. In my view he is everything a professional athlete should be. Kids, if you're looking for a role model, look no further (or farther, I forget which is correct. I'll have to ask my daughter, she's in 10^th grade and already has the soul and intellect of an editor. I think that is a compliment to her, but I've known a lot of editors in my time, so I'm not sure).

Oh, SNAP! The boys equalize really quickly! Atiba Harris gets the first Goal of the Week award, I do believe, for that finish. Very impressive, both in terms of team spirit and pure skill. Atiba squared the ball to David Ferreira (who I will henceforth be referring to as “The Little General”) at the midfield stripe, then made a great run to goal. TLG played it to him up the left side, Atiba ran with the ball, then cut inside, and ripped the ball past Pat Onstad from about 25 yards.

Okay, now I'm getting excited.

Of course my glass-half-empty side reminds me that last season started with Kenny Cooper chipping a guy from 60 yards out, and ended with us missing the playoffs.

I hate my glass-half-empty side.

I'll take 1-1 at the half, however.

Speaking of the Seattle/Philadelphia game, I had a couple other observations. The first is that I believe the over/under on games Freddy Ljungberg plays until his season ends with injury is somewhere around ten. He still has the skill to earn his DP money, but he looked really fragile. Granted, the Union guys were working him over liked he owed them money, but still.

Second. Kasey Keller is still so good, even at 40, that he actually looks bored sometimes, like he wishes he had his iPod and a magazine with him to pass the time quicker.

Third. Let's do a little soccer math here: plastic ball + plastic grass + Seattle rain = really ugly touches on the ball. It made several talented professionals look like, well, frankly, like me on the field. Not pretty. Funny, but not pretty.

Back to our game. I love it when a team spends way too much time setting up the free kick only to shoot the ball up into Row Z. Brad Davis, I'm looking in your direction here.

George John looks about 1000% more calm and confident this year. It's amazing, the difference between year one and year two with a talented and smart player.

The Little General just set Cunningham free with a great ball, but Jeff was un-Jeff-like in his finish. Hey, it's early yet.

Cunningham with another just-miss opportunity from the top of the penalty area. He should be dialed in now, like a sharpshooter adjusting his sights. I predict his next shot goes in.

Okay, I was wrong. Jeff misses again, but from an impossible angle, while being tightly marked, so it doesn't really count. He and Ferreira have a great understanding however, it is already obvious. They are going to create a lot of goals this year, without a doubt.

I like what I see from Jair Benitez on defense. I know absolutely nothing about him, but he seems pretty confident and capable so far.

Five minutes to go. I'd love to see someone strike a winner here, but given my nature, and my years of following this team, I'll settle for not giving one up.

Yep. 1-1 tie, full time.

It's okay. The team looks good, and the season holds promise. That's enough for me today. I'm going to take this as a good start and not worry.

Because, as the poet said, “Like all dreamers, I confuse disenchantment with truth”.

Now, I don't know what that means, but it seems like a pretty good thing to remember when you love this team, you know?