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With 2010 down to its last day and final hours, it's time to you to share with us the most memorable moments of an eventful year.
What, from a soccer standpoint, will you remember most about 2010? Will it be Landon Donovan's goal against Algeria? The USA-England World Cup match? The Colorado Rapids winning MLS Cup? Thierry Henry signing with MLS? Juan Agudelo's U.S. national team debut? Inter Milan's treble? Akron's championship season? Stuart Holden's rise? The arrival of the Philadelphia Union? Spain's run to the World Cup?
Will you remember negative or sad things? Will it be the FIFA shadiness, or the USA loss to Ghana? The Netherlands and their World Cup final thuggery? Nigel DeJong's bone breaking? Togo's African Cup of Nations tragedy? The retirements of Taylor Twellman, Steve Ralston and Brian McBride, among so many others?
I will share my favorite 2010 moments later on today. For now, please feel free to share your favorite soccer moments of 2010 in the comments section below.
Donovan’s goal against Algeria by far. I would say a distant second is the whole Charlie Davies Bruhaha….
Donovan’s goal will obviously stay with me forever. However, what I will remember most about 2010 is Fulham’s run to the Europa League final. From Deuce’s chip against Juve to Simon Davies sublime touches to equalize against Hamburg at the Cottage and Gera pointing to the sky after winning it. Such a special run that we aren’t likely to see again in a long, long time.
I was watching the end of that game on a flight from LAX to Houston. When the Ghana player missed that PK people were screaming and others were crying. The Stewardess had to get on the itnercomm to let the other passengers know that there was nothing wrong with the plane that it was just a football match.
What a great match.
– Donovan vs. Algeria
– Bradley’s goal vs. Slovenia
– The emergence of Tim Ream
– Joel Lindpere for RBNY
– Red Bull vs. Santos (RBA is all that if you’ve yet to go)
– Jermaine Jones’ feed to Jozy vs. Poland
– Dempsey’s goal vs. Juve
– Diskerud and the ice in his veins on the feed to Agudelo in South Africa
Bring on the Gold Cup!
That would be mind, too
Donovan’s goal is a no-brainer…but I also think that Maurice Edu’s goal called back also brought a reaction like I have never seen before.
The day after the game, I walked into my local bodega and immediately got into a conversation with several strangers about the goal – including the bodega’s owner – people who have never talked soccer before. I remember thinking: “wow, people do really care.” People were legitimately angry at being screwed by the ref.
For people in the NY region, how cool was walking into RBA for the first time, to a sold out and rocking stadium for the Santos game?
Donovan Vs Algeria
My Rapids Winning the MLS Cup and the opening of the Supporters Terrace!!!
Donovan, Bradley and Mo Edu’s Called back Goal vs Slovenia
Dempsey’s wonder goal vs Juventus
And being drunk from dawn ’til dusk for the entire month of June
“GO GO, USA! YOU COULD NOT WRITE A SCRIPT LIKE THIS ONE!” — I still get chills watching the replay of that scene.
Well, the Donovan goal goes without saying, doesn’t it? Haha, “GOAL GOAL USA.” I was in NYC and I could actually hear people in the buildings around me screaming–it was an amazing, amazing thing, to see Americans that united around a moment in soccer.
Donovan’s run at Everton as well–I was so happy to see him succeed in Europe.
Seeing Stuart Holden establish himself in the EPL has been a pleasure as well. He has a very bright future ahead of him.
I work in a Medical Research Institute (as an admin, not a scientist) with most of the reserchers from Europe or Asia doing Post Doctoral work. The upper management learned their lesson four years ago, when all the labs were empty during WC games.
So this year they put a big screen TV in the caferia, so I got to watch the US v. England game sitting next to two English guys, hearing them moan when Green let the Clint’s goal in. Every time an English player went down the one guy would yell “stand up, man!”
Later I watched the French team play next to a French guy who kept shouting “a main, a gauche, non port ou!” – my high school French was good enough (but not the spelling) to realized he was saying ‘pass left, pass right, doesn’t matter, just pass!’
Since I’m the only one in my family who follows soccer since our son moved to the east coast, it was really great to get to watch the WC games with all the Eurpoean and Asians fans and watch then moan and/or cheer.
Loved the whole WC experience. Go USA!!
Totally with you. I watch the replays and i still get the chills and a little teary eyed
donovans goal vs algeria and juan pablo angel’s last minute freekick goal vs houston.
I’m going against the grain here, Donovans goal was fantastic and I’ll never forget it.
Howevuh, Iniesta’s gigantic goal to defeat the Netherlands in OT. Avoiding the crapshoot of PK’s was huge. His tribute to Dani Jarque was fitting.
I am not a Eurosnob, I love my US Nats and DC United, but as far as big goals, as a Barca fan as well, nothing touches little Andres Iniesta.
After Donovan’s goal, LeToux’ hat trick in Union home opener.
I forgot about Donovan at Everton. Certainly the most fun I had watching an American Abroad. The first game at the Emirates with the snow and seeing Donovan make mince meat of Clichy was priceless.
Lastly, Charlie Davies fighting his way back into contention for the world cup squad, and the riot that followed when he wasn’t selected.
Donovan vs Algeria… no contest. I was sitting there thinking our WC was over. The disappointment started to set in and then -BAM-, with only hypothetical minutes left to go, it all changed.
Without a doubt, the most memorable soccer moment of 2010 is Donovan’s goal against Algeria. It is probably the most memorable soccer moment of my life. I get goosepimples just thinking about it.
With you 100%.
I remember the depths of despair I was feeling in the prior 20 minutes, and how all of that was instantly wiped away by total euphoria when that ball went in the goal.
The Donovan goal was definitely #1, I have a picture of it hanging up in my living room.
The USA vs. Slovenia game was a crazy game that I will remember as well. My wife complains I don’t show enough emotion, but I was an emotional roller coaster during that game.
It was amazing to watch Barcelona crush Real Madrid 5-0.
Man, haven’t been to the Irish Bank in ages. One of my favorite soccer memories was being in Ireland’s 32 for Italy-Ireland in USA 94. The place exploded when Ireland scored and when they won, the entire bar tumbled outside and blacoked off traffic on Geary singing ‘Ole, Ole, Ole!’ The SF cops were mystified – they didn’t have any idea what the crowd was celebrating.
We now return to your regularly schulded programing
I will never forget being at The Irish Bank downtown San Fran for the Slovenia game and being so down and out at half, but when Mike Bradley scored to tie the game is my most memorable moment.
Also how much we got screwed in that game.
Well said about the US and very true.
I remember teams like Mexico not pushing hard enough to win their game against Uruguay, when they knew Argentina awaited the loser. Algeria playing for a draw in the final game, it was bizarre. I remember all of the USA’s failings stemming from not being good enough, never not trying hard enough. Our play was clean, our tackles honest, and the spirit was unmatched at the tournament. More than anything else, I love the way the US represented its country at the cup.
No
Being at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on June 23rd, experiencing 91 minutes of indigestion, nail biting and hair pulling followed by an hour of high fives, signing and hugging anyone wearing the Red, White and Blue. Priceless.
Other than Donovan’s goal, it was the Chile-US friendly at Home Depot for me. First game I attended in person where I really got to experience something like the atmosphere of a real international game. US-Barbados didn’t really count . . .
Aside from the Donovan goal, it has to be LAG 0-3 FCD in the Western Conference Finals. Deciding at practically the last minute to fly out to LA. ACB putting out 110% and making a grand spectacle of themselves and the game. Kevin Hartman standing on his head to keep the Hoops in the game. Ferreira scoring against the run of play, then John and Chavez icing the game in the second half. Getting told to “sit down and shut up” by bitter Galaxy fans after the second goal. The “Let’s Go Giants” chants that started up in the waning moments. Watching the team celebrate on the field with the trophy and the confetti cannons. That’s my lingering soccer memory of 2010.
Oh, and my son converting a PK to win a U12 tournement in Palo Alto and getting mobbed by his teammates.
The Goal by Donovan. “Oh, can you believe it!”
Donovan’s time at Everton. “USA! You Must Stay!”
Damn, I can’t wait to see Red Bull Arena!
Donovn against Algeria
Bradley against Slovinia
Donovan against SLovenia
Diego Florian (The Most Interesting Man in The World)
Messi’s constant failure to understand that what he does is impossible
Uruaguay vs Ghana
Henry in MLS
New USA youth talent emerging everywhere
Donovan in Everton
Biggest disappointment: Surprisingly, the Dutch failure to play like the Dutch in the final, depriving us of what should have been a classic match up
Donovans goal vs Algeria easily the high point this year!
The low point, for me, was losing CD9 (lets face it, somewhat needlessly) for the WC along with a weakened Gooch.
To think what ‘could’ have been with an in form CD9 this last WC?!
the good- donovans goal. no-brainer.
the bad- the feeling we didnt take full advantage. great draw, our best players in their prime (donovan, dempsey, howard, etc). we had our share of luck good (dempseys goal v england) and bad (davies, onyewu, and holden injuries), but still- we started every match other than england on our heels. fell behind, seemingly didnt “really” start to play until we had to. questionable player selection…while it was a very respectable showing, and succesful, i still felt we didnt play our best.
Ghana v. Uruguay was pretty cool too.
Other than Donovan’s goal…
Donovan’s loan at Everton
The US comeback against Slovenia
Dempsey’s chip against Juventus
New Zealand’s 1-1 tie against Italy
Yeah, the last one seems strange, but NZ is who we used to be 20 years ago. Their team was mostly semi-pro players with a smattering of professionals and they not only got their first ever WC points, but tied one of Europe’s super-powers. We Americans point to the New York paper’s “USA wins 1-1” result vs. England, but it was more a vindication of where we believe our rightful place is in world football. For NZ football, tying Italy in the group stages was akin to winning the World Cup Final – it was an upset of epic proportions that spoke to the spirit of their players.
Not being a Kiwi, I didn’t get as overwhelmingly emotional for that game as I did when Donovan and Dempsey scored their goals for country and club respectively, but I understand enough about what that result means to New Zealand to feel some of what they did.
Landon’s goal is first. Wow. I still get excited about it.
Second, the Open Cup final at Qwest. That was a night that I will not soon forget.
2010 was great – bring on 2011. I can’t wait for March 15 and the Gals.
Landon’s goal vs Algeria. The phys. ed. staff of the high school I work in were all in the fitness room watching that game. We went nuts. Second favorite moment was when my wife and I walked into RBA for the first time.
Agudelo’s goal for sure. (and anything else that has to do with RBNY haha)
The goal against Algeria goal is one that I will remember. A bunch of us at Save the Children’s headquarters had commandeered the Emergency Response Center (where the TVs are) to watch the second half. If children are saved by shouting – we saved a lot of children that day.
More honestly, the pain of almost every DC United home game will stick with me for longer than I’d like to admit. After the US Open Cup semi-final loss (a pocket version of United’s season), I didn’t know if I’d be able to come back to RFK in 2010.
Two other things of note from the World Cup, now that I think about it:
1. Getting chosen into the easiest group the US has even been in – the optimism was so high.
2. The Edu game winner against Slovenia that was incorrectly called back.
Every year is a great memory of going to Sounder’s games. This year of course was the Open Cup Championship at QWest.
And of course, like anyone with a brain the WCup goal by Landon !!! Couldn’t have been any better, I will watch that 30 years from now and still can’t wait to see the outlet throw start one of the greatest moments ever.
I think that goal will be one of the biggest symbolic stepping stones for US soccer. Beating England in the Group Stage clears an imaginary hurdle to becoming a team that CAN win it all. Fitting it was Landon who put it in.
Dempsey’s goal against Juventus. the killer chip from distance.
I was at the Algeria Game. SO There’s no question that Donovan’s goal and the ensuing celebration was this year’s soccer memory.
The question should be rephrased: What will you remember about 2010 OTHER than Landon’s goal against Algeria?
Here are my other top World Cup memories: Dempsey’s goal against England, watching the crazy end of the Ghana-Uruguay game in the middle of Grand Central Station with about 1,000 other random people, Arjen Robben’s missed chances against Spain.
As an Akron student and member of the AK-Rowdies student fan group, I have to say Akron’s championship season. I had so many great memories watching this teams incredible run. It’s been a great year to be an Akron Zip.
Clearly, Donovan’s goal was the second highlight of the year. That was incredible!
I think the Algeria goal was sensational, and all important, but how triumphant was that Bradley goal against Slovenia?
Absolutely the highlight was Donovan’s goal against Algeria!!!
The saddest would be Steve Ralston’s retirement. Such a classy player. I was actually glad to have Twellman finally retire, so we could get his salary back.
I will never forget Landon Donovan’s 2010 birthday present for me (June 23 is my birthday). Even if that day didn’t have a personal importance to me, it would be hard to argue against that goal being the most memorable moment of 2010.
It has to be Landon’s goal against Algeria. Going from worst to first in the group in an instant brought out an emotion in me that sports have never evoked before.
oh, man….Landon’s goal against Algeria BY FAR!
Grown man crying…glad I was alone in my house for that one. It was ugly.