Fernando Clavijo! You disappoint me.

You see, Fernando, I had great hope for you. Great hope! I wanted you and your Colorado Rapids to take home the MLS Cup, and I wanted you to do it in a style never before witnessed in this league’s ten short years – without a playoff win, by penalty kicks alone. Had you done that then I could have waxed eloquent upon the Genius of Clavijo.

There would have been two parts to that genius. The first part you revealed earlier this week in an interview over at USSoccerPlayers.com. “What was your least favorite school subject,” they asked. “History,” you replied, “Why work in something that is over when it is so much to learn about today and our future.” Genius! Screw history. Think only of the future. I know what that means in the MLS-world. Screw the regular season. Think only of the playoffs.

The second part? Don’t lose, and then trust in Joe Cannon. (Well, maybe that’s three parts.)

If only the Rapids had done the job against Los Angeles then I could have lauded your brilliance. If only, if only. But the Rapids lost and now I’m compelled instead to write about the Foolishness of Fernando.

You cannot build a team with Terry Cooke on the right, a whole bunch of defense first-and-seconders behind him and a whole bunch of offense first and seconders in front of him. Oh, sure, sometimes you had Pablo Mastroeni in midfield, but not all that often. He wasn’t even available for half the season, and when it really counted in that fatal final game you played him in the back, not in the midfield. What’s that? Yes, I know Jovan was supposed to provide some midfield control and vision. Lots of things are supposed to happen. Often times they don’t, and that’s particularly true when it comes to “Have I ever told you I was at Man United with Beckham?” Kirovski.

I will leave you with one last thought, Fernando. History is our friend and guide. It’s a shame you didn’t learn that back in your schoolboy days because those who don’t learn from Major League Soccer’s history are doomed to sign Jovan Kirovski, Wolde Harris, and Diego Serna.