Extinction?

It wasn't supposed to be like this. This year's Metro team was supposed to take MLS by storm, play beautiful soccer, and win games left and right. Instead, we're exactly where we were numerous times in franchise history: in the MLS Cup quarterfinals, staring at elimination.

Metro has lost the opening, home game of a two-leg playoff series three times before: they were never successful in turning it around. In 2003, two Metro balls crossed the line, did not count, and Metro lost to New England 2:0. They went down early in the second leg as well, but did manage a 1:1 tie, obviously not enough. A year later, a terrible non-called offside on DC's first goal once again led Metro to a 2:0 hole. They fought bravely in DC, but succumbed to two late goals. DC won 1:0 in 2006 as well, but Metro looked to take it to extra time after Amado Guevara found Jozy Altidore for the series equalizer. Sadly, Jon Conway left the near post open late, and it was not to be. And now we have 2011, dropping to LA 1:0, knowing that only a two-goal victory in the house of the league's best team guarantees advancement.

But maybe... maybe it's not impossible. There's always 2008, and while Metro didn't lose at home, getting a 1:1 tie instead, they did go on the road and trash the best team in the league, Houston, 3:0, behind an amazing performance by Dane Richards. So maybe there's precedent. Or maybe we're grasping for straws.

Tonight, we find out.