I couldn't agree more with everything you say up to "....and who we are."
I was close to tears the night we lost the shootout in the CCL, not because they didn't get the trophy, but for how incredibly proud I was of the team, even in defeat.
Against all odds, they left their balls on the field that night, and win or lose, that is worth all the praise that could be given to them imo.
But just like Giovinco not understanding the presentations at the first home game this year because "this is a new year", I am basing my expectations on what the team expects for themselves.
This isn't a group that went all in for a season with the hope of taking everything then burning the house down; this is a group that made it clear they want to do whatever it takes to be a contender year in, year out for as long as they are together.
And for me, to have the team miss out on the playoffs, when they have such ambitious goals for themselves, it would come off as disappointing.