As great as MLS36 is at being a way to further expose the league and its players to a broader audience, I fear the show might be cursed. I have evidence for this theory -- which I'll get to -- and I feel like my thoroughly unscientific investigation will show that having your team featured on the show is bad juju.
Let's review the episodes that have been aired so far.
Chris Wondolowski - 8/5/12
In this episode they follow Wondo as he prepares for the 2012 MLS All-Star Game. The All-Stars won the match 3-2 and Wondo scored the opening goal in the 21st minute. Of course, we also know that San Jose went on to crash out of the playoffs after winning the Supporter's Shield to their rivals the LA Galaxy.
Verdict: Push
Fredy Montero - 8/10/12
The cameras followed Montero in the build-up to the Seattle Sounders' summer friendly against Chelsea. They lost the game 4-2 but Montero did scored both of the Sounders' goals. On the flip side, Montero left MLS at the end of the season to join Millonarios on loan. The Sounders have struggled to replace his offensive creativity so far in 2013.
Verdict: Push
Dwayne DeRosario - 9/17/12
If the potential curse truly has a starting point, this might be it. Not only did DC United earn a disappointing draw against the Philadelphia Union in the game featured on the show, DeRo missed a penalty that would have likely won the game for his team.
Verdict: Cursed
Darlington Nagbe - 9/29/12
If you think curses are ridiculous, this episode is probably your favorite. Nagbe scored against Cascadia Cup rivals Vancouver and the Timbers won the match 2-1 as well on their way to claiming the cup for the first time since it was contested with all three teams in MLS.
Verdict: Not cursed
Kyle Beckerman - 10/6/12
Another potential strike against the idea of a curse as Real Salt Lake won he game featured in this episode over DC United. Of course RSL only won two games the rest of the season and crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions League group stage.
Verdict: Push
Omar Gonzalez - 6/2/13
If 2012 was a little inconclusive about the curse, 2013 is a massive black cloud. In the first episode of the season, Omar Gonzalez and the LA Galaxy were beaten at home 1-0 by the Houston Dynamo in a game that featured a penalty miss by Landon Donovan
Verdict: Cursed
Matt Besler & Aurélien Collin - 6/20/13
Sporting Kansas City lost at home against Portland in the match featured in this episode despite twice taking the lead on the Timbers. The loss began an on-going run that has seen Sporting only win once at home in four league games and a loss to Orlando City in the Open Cup.
Verdict: Cursed
Brad Davis - 6/23/13
The Dynamo's record streak of games at home without a loss comes to an end and the team hasn't won a league match at home since. Enough said.
Verdict: Cursed
So, is MLS36 cursed?
Final Scoreboard
Cursed: 4
Not Cursed: 1
Push: 3
I think the evidence is clear. The show is cursed!
Quick, there's only one thing we can do! Call Jobu!!
Yo! Bartender! Jobu needs a refill!