My Favorite Soccer Memory of 2010

Although this blog is new, I have been writing regularly about soccer at my other blog Going to the Mat and last year I posted a story about my favorite soccer memory of 2009.  This year, being a World Cup year, was particularly soccer oriented for me.  As I sit back and look at 2010, I am thinking of the highs and lows of the year.

I am a DC United Fan and this year has been, at best a mixed year.  My heart sank every time DC United found another way to lose.  I was heartbroken when DC United set the record for the worst season ever.  I was angry at the front office for their apparent incompetence.  I was saddened by the "good enough" mentality and the back and forth about Ben Olsen being the head coach.  I was emotional about Jamie Moreno's departure and angry at how the front office handled that.

But at the same time, I was electrified by Andy Najar and Bill Hamid.  I was happy about the future of the club if these two young men were to be a part of it.  I was proud of the love that Moreno and Olsen showed for the club.  As are most fans, I want to be optimistic about the future and I hope for the best for the Black and Red.

As a referee, I had some good moments and some not so good moments.  I had to make calls that resulted in my having to be escorted to my car not once but twice this year (they were the right calls, but heartbreaking to the players).  I struggled with my own form and an injury, but had a good year.

But after it all, there was the Red, White and Blue.  Maddeningly frustrating at time by giving up cheap early goals, but proud to pull on my jersey and cheer on the US MNT because they never say die.  I wanted to nuke the entire referee population of Mali, just to make sure we didn't get screwed by a Malian referee again. I reveled in the headlines coming out of England after Robert Green fumbled Clint Dempsey's goal.  I cheered and then nearly vomited when Maurice Edu's goal against Slovenia was called back.

I know it is obvious and probably makes just about everyone's list, but my favorite moment of the year is just simply The Goal. First, here is the reaction:



Here is a video taken by someone at the game:



But for me it is the Ian Darke Commentary that still gives me a chill every single time. Here is a clip:



As Ian Darke said, "You could not write a script like this." "Go! Go! USA!"

Like I said, predictable, but really, how can you deny the emotion of the moment.