OK, fellow United fans, we all know what we're itching for. To go after LA for that star, to try and get back in the lead after a dozen years watching someone else carry it off.

Thing is, we're not going to win the MLS Cup Final next year. The chances against it, according to any statistcal analysis, is almost zero. We have a better chance than Leicester City, that's for sure, but actually far less of a chance.

That would require everything coming together in the offseason. Now, Benny has turned into a good coach, and one who actually seems to improve with time and effort, but he's working without the benefit of owners who will spend Giovinco, Piatti, or even Jermaine Jones money on a playoff run. The talent gap is still too large.

What we DO have, if we have enough bravery to seize on a building opportunity, is a young enough corps that we're not praying that any one move makes us title contenders next year. We have Acosta, Mullins, Kemp, and (if you're asking me) Nick DeLeon at RB. We might even have Birnbaum. I think it's fair to say that we still have Bill Hamid, who is maybe the single most gifted player to ever play for United, and I'm including Etcheverry and Gomez in that conversation. Bill Hamid STILL hasn't peaked yet. Let that sink in for a glorious second.

We're probably not lucky enough to still have Birnbaum, because surely there's SOME European club that knows a good thing when they see one. Surely someone will make Birnbaum say, "Screw it, it's time to make the jump across the pond." Or he could be unwise, and leave for a club that literally has nothing invested (transfer fee) in his success. That could be a very bad scenario for him. American defenders still aren't really respected abroad, despite our success in every modern World Cup since we relied on an aging Eddie Pope in 2006. Don't get me started on 2006.

Anyway, what we need is to build, and find a few pieces. As some have already listed, a CM partner for Acosta (I think Mix, but apparently I'm in the minority. I think he's smart, and does more dirty work than he gets credit for, but he's never going to compete with Pirlo and Lampard centrally, and he's not a winger. Express your pent up frustrations in the comments section). We need either Opare or Robinson to up their game, prove that one of them is a starter. They've got a season to do that. We need to replace Franklin with someone dynamic, young, and cheap. I'm pushing for a draft pick, on that score.

So, I know, UnitedDemon2 asking for patience and restraint is fresh, but for once, that's my position. I don't check the stats sites religiously, because I trust my eyes more than an algorithm. You've seen my comments, and you know my views.

Here's my advice: Reduce your expectations for next season, be part of a positive atmosphere (DC were intimidated by our own atmosphere, and I think that's partly on us. When it comes to The Impact Debacle, that was a case of Jeffrey and Vincent not being good enough, and everyone not knowing what to do against a good team that had every motivation that we apparently didn't have.

So, I say we just enjoy our young players this season, and pray for a successful (and hopefully expensive) offseason that allows us to actually start competing with teams with owners who don't mind buying nice toys for their investment. Looking at you, Thohir. Looking at you.

Alright, feel free to unrec this as hard as you can in the comments section. As Heath Ledger's the Joker, once said: "And HERE.... WE.... go!"

P.s. Spelling and grammer Nazis also welcome. I'm here to learn. Much like Olsen. And Acosta. OK, now I'm done.