Arsenal, Brazil, Moneyball, and Other Random Thoughts

A number of fairly random things that had been swirling around in my head all came together a bit for me this past Saturday night.  A few friends and I had just come from the DC United match against the Philadelphia Union and were hanging out for a beer or two post-game at the Capitol Lounge.  If you'd have asked me, I'd probably have told you than if/when my mind wandered at that point, I'd be thinking about my MLS bigamy in the wake of another live United/Union match-up.  Instead, I was transfixed by a Fox Soccer Channel airing of the highlights of the 2001-2002 FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea. 

My first thought was that it was nice to see Arsenal winning some silverware even if it required me watching something almost 10 years old.

My second reaction was to think fondly back on the club legends of that era.  Tony Adams was still leading the team out.  David Seaman and his sure hands (and hilarious porn ponytail/mustache) were anchoring the net.  Campbell, ACole, Vieira, Wiltord, Ljungberg, Bergkamp, and TH14 were all young and at or near their best. Romantic times.

My third reaction was to remember that while domestic silverware has been lacking, those great teams from the early 2000s didn't ever really amount to much outside of England.  Here's a reminder of the European exploits of the silverware-winning group up through the Invincibles season.

• 2000-01: out in the first knockout match
• 2001-02: didn't make knockout stages
• 2002-03: didn't make knockout stages
• 2003-04: won 1 knockout match
• 2004-05: out in first knockout match

Not exactly covered in glory until that next season when they made it to the Final only to lose to Barca.

So What?