In postgame comments to the press, Fire head coach Velkjo Paunovic summed up the team’s performance and the general state of affairs thusly:
“It is what it is. We’re not good enough right now.”
It is what it is.
I always thought that was a remarkable phrase. Such an elegant way of disavowing responsibility by making vague hand gestures at the essential immutability of existence. Such a polite way of saying “fuck this shit” without making it sound like you care too much. Such a subtle wink-and-nod way to respond to someone asking if things could be better with, “I don’t know dude, you tell me.