Best of Awards

2016 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Individual Performance: Crystal Dunn scores five goals vs. Puerto Rico - Feb. 15
Off-the-Field Moment: Carli Lloyd and Jill Ellis win FIFA World Player and Coach of the Year, respectively - Jan. 11
Team Performance, Presented by Thorne: U.S. WNT defeats Germany 2-1 to win inaugural #SheBelieves Cup - March 9
Tournament Performance: U.S. WNT sweeps inaugural #SheBelieves Cup - March
Goal of the Year: Alex Morgan scores leveler in de facto #SheBelieves Cup final vs. Germany - March 9

2015 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best Team Performance: WNT vs. Germany – 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Semifinals
Best Goal: Carli Lloyd’s half-field strike – 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final
Best Save: Meghan Klingenberg’s headed goal-line clearance vs. Sweden – 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Group Stage
Best Individual Performance: Carli Lloyd vs. Japan – 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final
Best Goal Celebration: Meghan Klingenberg’s “Terrible Towel” tribute – WNT Victory Tour
Best Off-Field Moment: WNT on stage with Taylor Swift
Best U.S. Soccer Video: WNT Celebrates 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Victory in Los Angeles Ralley

2014 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Ten of the best and most meaningful moments throughout 2014 were selected for special mention during U.S. Soccer’s Best Of Week that ran from Dec. 15-19. The 10 best moments in U.S. Soccer over the course of 2014 included:

The U.S. MNT’s thrilling 2-1 win against Ghana that secured a vital three points to begin the team’s escape from the ‘Group of Death’ at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Meghan Klingenberg’s long-distance golazo against Haiti during Women’s World Cup Qualifying was an audacious and timely way for the defender to score her first goal for the U.S. WNT.
Jermain Jone’s thunderous game-tying strike nearly 30 yards from goal against Portugal that sent the USA on its way to collecting the vital point it ultimately needed to advance to the knockout round at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The U.S. WNT booked its place at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup by rolling through the CONCACAF qualifying tournament with a 6-0-0 record, 21 goals scored, 0 conceded and a clean sweep of the competition’s individual awards.
Fabian Jonshon’s picturesque strike against Turkey in the USA’s second Send-Off Series game was one of the U.S. MNT’s most well-crafted goals the team produced in a year of memorable tallies.
A rarity among professional athletes across all sports, U.S. WNT captain Christie Rampone was honored for her enduring professionalism and longevity at the highest level of soccer when she made her 300th appearance for her country against Mexico during Women’s World Cup Qualifying, becoming just the second soccer player in history – man or woman – to achieve the feat.
The torch was passed on to the next generation of the U.S. MNT as three pillars of the team’s unparalleled success over the last decade all announced their retirement: DaMarcus Beasley, Carlos Bocanegra and Landon Donovan.
With his team approaching its final group game at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, U.S. MNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann wrote a letter asking that fans be released from work in order to cheer on the USA against Germany. His words went viral on the internet, spawning numerous positive responses from bosses, celebrities and politicians as well as more than a few copy cats.
U.S. MNT goalkeeper Tim Howard turned in a larger-than-life performance in the USA’s Round of 16, overtime defeat to Belgium at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, making a tournament-record 16 saves and cementing his legacy among soccer fans as first goalkeeper to become the “#Secretaryof Defense.”
U.S. Soccer enjoyed a record year of fan support and interaction, from the thousands that followed the U.S. MNT to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup to the ever-present U.S. WNT fans that cheered on the team as it qualified for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. An assuredly giant leap was made by U.S. Soccer with the help of its fans and partners in 2014, one that has raised the bar higher than ever before in the United States.

BEST OF U.S. SOCCER #100YEARS EDITION WINNER

In 2013, U.S. Soccer provided fans with the opportunity to determine the top moment of the Federation's history. Set up as a bracket-style competition that pits the top moments across U.S. Soccer’s 100-year history head-to-head, fans voted daily to determine their favorite moment of all-time.

Abby Wambach’s dramatic and stunning goal against Brazil in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinal defeated all challengers to win the Best of U.S. Soccer: #100Years Edition. More than 10,000 fans voted on the final matchup to crown Wambach the winner, while more than 210,000 votes were cast overall.

Wambach’s stoppage-time score that pulled the USA even at 2-2 at the very end of overtime in a match that the USA eventually won in penalty kicks, triumphed in all six of its matchups during the 64-moment bracket-style competition. In the final round, Wambach’s 122nd-minute header off a cross from Megan Rapinoe – which at the time was the latest goal ever scored in a FIFA competition – edged Landon Donovan’s historic strike in the waning seconds of the USA’s last match of group play against Algeria at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

2012 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best Goal: Alex Morgan vs. Canada (Aug. 6)
Best Goal Celebration: Snow Angels
Best Performance, Player: Megan Rapinoe vs. Canada (Aug. 6)
Best Performance, Team: WNT vs. Canada (Aug. 6)
Best Save: Hope Solo vs. Canada (June 30)

2011 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best Assist: Megan Rapinoe to Abby Wambach, July 10 vs. Brazil
Best Fan Tribute: Teach Me How to Wambach
Best Goal: Abby Wambach, July 10 vs. Brazil
Best Goal Celebration: U.S. WNT, One for the Troops
Best Off the Field Moment: Hope Solo on DWTS
Best Performance: Academy: Juan Agudelo, U.S. MNT
Best Performance: Player: Hope Solo, July 10 vs. Brazil
Best Performance: Team: WNT vs. Brazil, July 10
Best Soccer Bar: O'Brien's Pub: San Diego, Calif.
Best Twitter: Megan Rapinoe (@mpinoe)
Best Studio 90 Feature: Wild Turkey

2010 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best South Africa Moment Brought to You by Budweiser: Dog Pile for the Ages
Best Goal: Landon Donovan vs. Algeria (June 23)
Best Performance: Team: MNT vs. Algeria, June 23
Best Photo: The Pile
Best Performance: Player: Tim Howard, June 12 vs. England
Best Fan Costume: South Africa Starting 11
Best Academy Story: First Two Academy Alumni Play for the MNT
Best Soccer Specialty Store: Soccer Fanatic, San Diego
Best Assist: Jozy Altidore vs. Slovenia (June 18)
Best Soccer Bar: Small Bar, Chicago
Best Soccer Blog: Soccer by Ives
Best Studio 90 Feature: The Everton Experience

2009 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best Goal: Landon Donovan vs. Brazil (June 28)
Best Assist: Landon Donovan vs. Mexico (Aug. 12)
Best Performance: Player: Tim Howard vs. Spain (June 24)
Best Performance: Team: MNT vs. Spain (June 24)
Best Video: Behind the Scenes, Oct. 14
Best Soccer Bar: Fado Irish Pub (Seattle, Wash.)
Best Soccer Blog: Soccer By Ives
Best Fan Photo: Stars and Stripes Forever
Best Photo: Spain Slips
Best Clutch Moment: U.S. Defense vs. Spain
Best Academy Story: Bill Hamid Goes Pro
Best Soccer Specialty Store: Soccer Fanatic (San Diego, Calif.)

2008 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best Soccer Bar: The Globe Pub (Chicago, Ill.)
Best Soccer Specialty Store: Angelo's Soccer Corner (Pa.)
Best Soccer Blog: Soccer By Ives
Best Goal: Men: Sacha Kljestan vs. Netherlands (Aug. 10)
Best Goal: Women: Carli Lloyd vs. Brazil (Aug. 21)
Best Goal: Academy: Andrew Bulls, Baltimore Bays vs. LAFC (July 18)
Best Assist: Freddy Adu vs. Netherlands (Aug. 10)
Best Performance (Player): Tim Howard vs. Argentina (June 8)
Best Performance (Team): WNT vs. Brazil (Aug. 21)
Best Video: Tobin Heath Walkabout
Best Action Photo: Jump For Joy
Best Fan Photo: Jeff York

2007 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best Soccer Bar: The Globe Pub (Chicago, Ill.)
Best Soccer Store: Soccer 4 All (Houston, Texas)
Best Blog: Soccer Insider
Best Goal (Men): Benny Feilhaber vs. Mexico (June 24)
Best Goal (Women): Abby Wambach vs. Sweden (September 14)
Best Assist: Freddy Adu vs. Brazil (July 6)
Best Performance (Player): Abby Wambach vs. Sweden (September 14)
Best Performance (Team): MNT vs. Mexico (June 24)
Best all_access Video: Abby Wambach Back Four Quiz
Best Photo: 2-0!
Best U.S. Atmosphere: MNT vs. Mexico (June 24)

2006 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best Soccer Bar: Ginger's Ale House (Chicago, Ill.)
Best Soccer Store: Angelo's Soccer Corner (Pennsylvania)
Best Goal: Clint Dempsey vs. Ghana (June 22)
Best Kristine Lilly Goal: Nov. 4 vs. Canada – Seoul, South Korea
Best Game Performance (Player): Kasey Keller vs. Italy (June 22)
Best Game Performance (Team): U.S. MNT 1, Italy 1 (June 17)
Best all_access Video: Hospital Visit to Kaiserslautern
Best Action Photo: McBride Crunch
Best U.S. Fan Photo From the World Cup: Flag Over Kaiserslautern
Best U.S. Atmosphere: U.S. MNT 1, Italy 1 @ Kaiserslautern, Germany
Best Look/Style: Don't Tread on Me Jerseys

2005 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best Soccer Bar: Ginger's Ale House (Chicago, Ill.)
Best Soccer Store: Chicago Soccer (Chicago, Ill.)
Best U.S. Atmosphere: U.S. MNT 2, Mexico 0 @ Crew Stadium (Sept. 3)
Best Goal: Tiffeny Milbrett vs. Ukraine (July 10)
Best Assist: Landon Donovan vs. Guatemala (March 30)
Best Game Performance (Player): Oguchi Onyewu vs. Mexico (Sept. 3)
Best Game Performance (Team): U.S. MNT 2, Mexico 0 (Sept. 3)
Best Goal Celebration: DaMarcus Beasley vs. Mexico (Sept. 3)
Best all_access Video: Highlights of USA vs. Mexico (Sept. 3)
Best Podcast: Bruce Arena Speaks Candidly
Best Picture: Kasey Keller's Superman Save

2004 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best Soccer Bar: Ginger's Ale House (Chicago, Ill.)
Best Soccer Store: Soccer USA (Austin, Texas)
Best U.S. Soccer Story: Hamm, Foudy and Fawcett Finish Legendary Careers
Best Fashion Statement: U.S. Women's National Team's gold medals and Olympic wreaths
Best U.S. Crowd: 14,780 (sell out) – Sept. 25 @ Frontier Field (Rochester, N.Y.) – U.S. WNT 4, Iceland 3
Best Soccer Fans: The Sam's Army contingent in Foxboro, Mass., for the U.S. Men's first home qualifier
Best U.S. Goal: Abby Wambach's skillful flick and volley– U.S. WNT 3, Iceland 0 – Sept. 29
Best U.S. Assist: Mia Hamm to Heather O'Reilly – U.S. WNT 2, Germany 1 (ot) – Aug. 23
Best Late-Game Heroics: Abby Wambach's "golden" game-winning header – U.S. WNT 2, Brazil 1 (ot) – Aug. 26
Best Game Performance (Player): Mia Hamm's tireless work all over the field – U.S. WNT 2, Germany 1 (ot) – Aug. 23
Best Game Performance (Team): U.S. WNT 2, Brazil 1 (ot) – Aug. 26 – Athens, Greece

2003 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best Soccer Bar: Ginger's Ale House (Chicago, Ill.)
Best Soccer Store: Gotshalk's Soccer (Boston, Mass.)
Best Soccer Stadium: The Home Depot Center (Carson, Calif.)
Best Crowd: May 8 @ Reliant Stadium (69,582; SO)
Best Soccer Fans: Chicago, Ill.
Best Game Promotion: 1950 Retro Jerseys (U.S. MNT)
Best U.S. Soccer Story: U.S. MNT Goalkeeper Tim Howard Signs with Manchester United; Red Devils Tour America
Best U.S. Goal (National Team): Kristine Lilly vs. Sweden (WWC) – Sept. 21
Best U.S. Goal (Youth National Team): Freddy Adu vs. Poland – June 4
Best Game Performance (Player): Abby Wambach vs. Norway (WWC) – Oct. 1
Best Game Performance (Team): U.S. WNT 3, Sweden 1 (WWC) – Sept. 21

2002 (Inaugural) "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

Best Soccer Bar: Summers Restaurant (Arlington, Va.)
Best Soccer Store: Soccer Unlimited (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Best Soccer Stadium: Columbus Crew Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
Best Crowd: May 12 @ RFK Stadium (30,413)
Best Soccer Fans: Fans who traveled to Korea for the World Cup
Best Game Promotion: Buck-a-Brat Night (Columbus Crew)
Best Place to Watch the World Cup from the U.S.: Your couch
Best U.S. Goal: Brian McBride vs. Portugal (WC) – June 5
Best Game Performance (Player): Brad Friedel vs. South Korea (WC) – June 10
Best Game Performance (Team): U.S. MNT 3, Portugal 2 (WC) – June 5

2016 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

2015 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

2014 "Best of U.S. Soccer" Awards

The U.S. MNT’s thrilling 2-1 win against Ghana that secured a vital three points to begin the team’s escape from the ‘Group of Death’ at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Meghan Klingenberg’s long-distance golazo against Haiti during Women’s World Cup Qualifying was an audacious and timely way for the defender to score her first goal for the U.S. WNT.
Jermain Jone’s thunderous game-tying strike nearly 30 yards from goal against Portugal that sent the USA on its way to collecting the vital point it ultimately needed to advance to the knockout round at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The U.S. WNT booked its place at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup by rolling through the CONCACAF qualifying tournament with a 6-0-0 record, 21 goals scored, 0 conceded and a clean sweep of the competition’s individual awards.
Fabian Jonshon’s picturesque strike against Turkey in the USA’s second Send-Off Series game was one of the U.S. MNT’s most well-crafted goals the team produced in a year of memorable tallies.
A rarity among professional athletes across all sports, U.S. WNT captain Christie Rampone was honored for her enduring professionalism and longevity at the highest level of soccer when she made her 300th appearance for her country against Mexico during Women’s World Cup Qualifying, becoming just the second soccer player in history – man or woman – to achieve the feat.
The torch was passed on to the next generation of the U.S. MNT as three pillars of the team’s unparalleled success over the last decade all announced their retirement: DaMarcus Beasley, Carlos Bocanegra and Landon Donovan.
With his team approaching its final group game at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, U.S. MNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann wrote a letter asking that fans be released from work in order to cheer on the USA against Germany. His words went viral on the internet, spawning numerous positive responses from bosses, celebrities and politicians as well as more than a few copy cats.
U.S. MNT goalkeeper Tim Howard turned in a larger-than-life performance in the USA’s Round of 16, overtime defeat to Belgium at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, making a tournament-record 16 saves and cementing his legacy among soccer fans as first goalkeeper to become the “#Secretaryof Defense.”
U.S. Soccer enjoyed a record year of fan support and interaction, from the thousands that followed the U.S. MNT to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup to the ever-present U.S. WNT fans that cheered on the team as it qualified for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. An assuredly giant leap was made by U.S. Soccer with the help of its fans and partners in 2014, one that has raised the bar higher than ever before in the United States.