So 2012 is just about in the rear view mirror. There was an awful lot that went down this year. The world didn’t blow up or implode or end or anything like that. We’re still here and still kicking. Here is a brief look back at some of the highlights and lowlights of the year, depending on your point of view.
David Beckham goes out on top as he gets back to back MLS Championships to cap off his MLS playing days.
Sporting KC’s remake is complete with not only the rebranding, new ownership and an amazing stadium. But they have a team that is as good as any in the league, a fan base that is as committed and a future that is looking brighter by the day.
CONCACAF dominates the Olympics for the first time ever. The US Men’s National Team struggles in the first round of World Cup Qualifying. But get historic wins at Azteca and in Italy. The US Women’s Team goes on a post Olympics tour and pretty much smashes every team they play. Pia Sundhage leaves for Sweden.
Food porn. Snapbacks. Tattoos. Camp hats. Jordans. Flyknits. Roshes. Spotify. Wing tips. Tailored suits. Camo. Beards. Rye whiskey. Photography.
Manchester City goes from rich team who spends crazy money to Premier League champions and shakes things up in English Football.
Chelsea win the Champions League for the first time yet can’t find a manager they are happy with. Stoke City and Swansea find themselves as two of the more difficult teams to beat in the Premier League. After one good season, Newcastle sign manager Alan Pardew to an eight year contract! Immediately Newcastle begin to struggle.
AEG puts itself on the market which includes the LA Galaxy and the Home Depot Center.
Jose Mourinho and co. become champions (said in Jose Mourinho voice) of Spain. Jose also confesses to me his greatness.
Instagram sells to Facebook and collects a cool $1 billion. Facebook goes public. Then proceeds to get worse.
The Tijuana Xolos are crowned champions of Mexico after beating Toluca who have more championships in their history (10), than the Xolos have actual history (they were founded in 2007). Fairytale complete.
Mother Nature continues to be mad at the world. Binders full of women. Obama re-ups. A serious lack of gun control. Newsweek announces it will no longer print magazines.
Soccer cleats. They got lighter. They got brighter. New technology was introduced. Collaborations with motorycle brands. All Conditions Control. Limited edition releases that sold out in hours.
German football and the Bundesliga continue their ascension. All four German teams in the Champions League advance. The country is producing an amazing crop of talented young players and the league has the highest attendance in the world. Is this the league and business model for a league of the future?
Lionel Messi proves he is from another planet and scores goal after goal after goal after goal after goal after goal… You get the point.
Lana Del Rey flops on SNL yet becomes a darling of the music world. Frank Ocean opens up. Action Bronson goes from chef to rapper. A$AP Rocky, 2 Chainz, Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean have landed.
Landon Donovan decides he needs a break. Is he just going into screen saver mode and re-booting, or was MLS Cup 2012 the last we will see from Landon?
And with that, let’s turn to 2013.
If Landon is done, what does the US national Team look like going forward? Can the NWSL do what no other domestic women’s league has done? Will Seattle and or Portland put in temporary grass and finally get to host a World Cup Qualifier? Does the Bundesliga finally start getting the recognition it deserves? Who will win the Confederations Cup and how will Brazil’s first test at hosting a tournament go? Goal line technology. Stamping out racism in the game. Cristiano Ronaldo’s hair. Where in the world will Falcao end up? New designated players. German/American players on the National Team. Manchester United recaptures the Premier League. Barcelona recapture La Liga. Lionel Messi continues to be the best player on the planet. Macklemore. Brazil. Next gen soccer boots. Stripes. Sriracha. Elbow patches. 100 years of US Soccer. Limited edition Bumpy Pitch colabs. Sydney Lerioux. The return of Jack Wilshere. Struggles and triumphs. The hustle continues.
See you in 2013.
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