Some random thoughts:
* These guys have erased any possibility of the suggestion that they don't care about winning/fighting. Playoffs or not, they have been leaving it all out there.
* It was great to watch them go all-in after that awful PK was awarded against them. It paid off.
* As someone who has (not surprisingly) watched a lot more MLS play than in previous years, what is most obvious to me is that the play is much better than many would think, and the officiating is worse.
* Both of those plays resulting in PKs were far less egregious than some of the other plays that should/could have resulted in PKs.
* The most telling thing for me all night was when Lampard came to Pirlo's aid during a scuffle. Whatever you want to say about Lampard, it demonstrated to me that we have guys who will fight for each other. That's a great sign moving forward as a team beyond this season.
* While Villa probably had a frustrating night by his own standards, he still went all out from start to finish.
* Pirlo made some outrageous passes. I think next season you will see those direct kicks starting to end up in the back of the net.
* RJ Allen was generally terrific.
* Mix is a workhorse. Some may mistakenly look for flash with him, but what you are really getting is tireless hard work and consistency (especially when you take into account he is being played out of position).
* Maybe if our defense looks different next season and we bring in an anklebreaker or two, and Angelino stays, he can be molded into an outside midfielder or wing (or be afforded the opportunities to make runs out of the back if our defense is strong enough).
* Playoffs look dim, but they at least are making it interesting. And giving some glimpses of how promising next season can/will be with some appropriate tweaks.
