From the World Cup to its domestic leagues, American soccer celebrated some incredible moments in 2014. Let's take a look at the top five moments of the last year.

 

Top 5 American Soccer Moments of 2014

 

From the World Cup to its domestic leagues, American soccer celebrated some incredible moments in 2014. Let's take a look at the top five moments of the last year.

 

In the past year, American soccer has experienced unprecedented highs. It saw a nation fall in love with the game during the World Cup, and during said World Cup said nation came to a standstill. It saw small, upstart clubs across all of American soccer's professional domestic leagues make unprecedented leaps and bounds. It saw its premier domestic league, MLS, say goodbye to one of its greatest ever stars and say hello to some new ones. And, finally but certainly most importantly, it saw some of its favorite sons have moments that will define their careers and the rest of their lives in a truly unforgettable World Cup. Let's take a look at the five best moments of 2014 for American soccer...

5.) Sacramento Republic sell out every game, win USL PRO title

Heading into 2014 as a new member of USL PRO, the Sacramento Republic were a largely unknown commodity. Only formed in 2012, many were unsure how they would fare in the third-tier of American soccer. However, with American soccer legend Preki at the helm, people were hopefully expectant.

Those people would be thrilled soon, as the Republic shattered any and all expectations. They sold out every home match of 2014 before winning the playoff title in thrilling fashion while also playing exciting, attacking soccer. The Republic suddenly find themselves mentioned as a potential future MLS club, and even if they are not selected for automatic promotion their terrific play and fan support has made them a club that any American soccer fan can point to proudly. 

4.) Some of the best MLS games ever. Bar none.

The season kicked off with a bang with the early 4-4 draw between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders, and it never stopped producing fantastic matches. The derby between the Timbers and Sounders was arguably the game of the season, but two others late in the fixture list can also lay claim to that title. The 3-3 draw between DC United and the Chicago Fire in September was a thrilling, end to end match that featured comebacks and superb goals from both teams, and having been in attendance for it this writer can say it is a game he will never forget. 

Yet after highlighting those two games, we must now acknowledge the best MLS game of 2014: the Eastern Conference Final Second Leg between the New York Red Bulls and New England Revolution. It finished 2-2 on the day with New England advancing 4-3 on aggregate, and it was one of the finest soccer games this writer has ever seen. Bar none. Not just in MLS, but across world soccer. That game was played with intensity and focus, and neither side gave an inch throughout the entire encounter. They passed the ball, retained possession, attacked with gusto and both played to win. It was a superb game and a superb advertisement for the league. This MLS season is one which will not be soon forgotten. 

3.) Landon Donovan exits a champion with LA Galaxy

Although denied the chance of an Indian Summer at the World Cup, Donovan experienced one of his best ever MLS seasons. After being left off of Jurgen Klinsmann's final 23-man squad, Donovan broke the all-time scoring and assists records in MLS in addition to leading the league in assists. It appeared at times this season that Klinsmann's decision was a weight off of Donovan's shoulders, and he found his best form from July-December.

He put in one of his best ever showings in the Conference Semifinals against Real Salt Lake, masterminding the Galaxy's 5-0 second leg shellacking. He seemed to cover every blade of grass, and while scoring a hat trick and setting up another goal Donovan was simply magisterial. It was quite possible his greatest ever showing in MLS, and this true American Great was given a proper send-off.

2.) Tim Howard's display against Belgium

Speaking of players who put in displays that will define their careers, Tim Howard's performance against Belgium certainly must be categorized as such. It seemed as if he were possessed by some sort of goal-saving god, and there was nothing he couldn't stop, at least in normal time. 

Howard's performance has been rightly heralded as one of the best if not the best ever from a goalkeeper in the World Cup. It was a man of the match performance worthy of joining the pantheon of great American athletic endeavors. Howard will forever be remembered for that night in Salvador, and we can only hope that he never has to buy another pint in America.

1.) John Brooks' goal against Ghana

Having spoken of moments that defined players' careers, let's next take about a moment that will forever define a player's career. One such moment happened to USMNT defender John Brooks had one against Ghana this summer. No matter what he does over the rest of his career, Brooks will forever be associated with his late, late winner over Ghana in the first group stage game over the summer. While the performance of Tim Howard against Belgium was undoubtedly a superior performance over the duration of a match, Brooks' goal was the defining moment of the tournament for the USA.

This writer spent that match sitting in a Buffalo Wild Wings with a group of Americans who were only casually watching the tournament. In addition to myself and a small group of friends, there were only a few others there solely for the purpose of watching the match. However, as it wore on more and more people began paying attention to it. By the time Brooks' late winner came around, the majority of the bar was into the match and when he scored the place erupted. For this writer, that will always be the enduring image of this World Cup and this year in American soccer: cheering along with a group of complete strangers at a Buffalo Wild Wings as the USMNT enjoyed an unforgettable moment in an unforgettable World Cup.