This is sort of like asking what is the best moment in the history of US Cricket. It's not that soccer is not a good sport--it's a lot of fun to play and it's, frankly, safer for kids than football. It's also not a really a US sport any more than curling, fencing, jai alai, polo, or half a dozen other sports of borderline interest. Lacrosse, at least, is a definitively American sport, more so even than baseball since it pre-dates the Europeans. If you are going to ask about of sport that is of tremendous interest to a fringe crowd and of only passing interest to the rest of us then I would think that Lacrosse would be a better choice. At least the greatest moments of that game happened here.

Although, US women's soccer shouldn't be lumped in with my earlier comments--strangely the Women's Soccer Game is a US sport, and I can't really put my finger on why that should be the case.

Does Sly Stallone starring in Victory count?

Troll alert: Comment 1.

Whatta a fisherman - comment 1!

Comment 1 - Change yur bait, fisherman.

On June 6, 1995, Budweiser became the official beer of Major League Soccer. What was the question again?

On June 6, 1995, Budweiser became the offical beer of Major League Soccer. What was the question again?

USA over Portugal in South Korea, when the score hit 3-0.

April 6, 1996 MLS' first game

Brandi Chastain's PK strike and disrobing has to be the most memorable US soccer moment

Beckham signs with LA
2002 WC: 3-2 v Portugal
2002 WC: 2-0 v Mexico
Win in Columbus v Mexico to qualify for WC

Top moment for me was watching Paul Caliguiri (sp?) score the winner over Trinidad & Tobago. That single moment changed the soccer-landscape in america from 'a foreign sport' to what we have today dominating youth sports, female teams dominate in-part internationally, men teams hold their own regionally and internationally, MLS and dedicated 'soccer channels' (FSC, GolTv, Setanta USA, etc etc).

We wont really make the 'next level' of national prominence (of say college basketball, nfl etc) until the men's team actually wins the world cup - will I see it? probably not. But, until then - Paul Caliguiri is #1.

Potential top 5 moments: The T&T goal has got to be up there, beating Mexico in the 2002 WC round of 16, something associated with MLS starting (opening game, or my preference for the 1996 Championship game!), beating Columbia in the 1994 WC, and one of the CONCACAF Gold Cup wins.

Certainly the greatest moment in your foolish nation's puny attempts at fútbol glory so far was the 2002 World Cup match in which you kept me from scoring any goals. I know you all think McBride and Donovan won that for you, but Brad Friedel stopping all my shots like the big, gangly awkward giant he is was what really created your victory. Never mind! I will triumph over you again, erm, sometime.

Paul Caligiuri scoring the goal against Trinidad, beating England in the World Cup (1950?), hosting the 1994 World Cup, the launch of MLS, Pele coming to play in the NASL

I'll second the Caliguiri moment.

Our victory over Columbia in the 1994 WC, which helped to send us to the elimination games.

DC United's thrilling comeback in the first MLS Cup, in the driving, freezing rain of New England.

Not that I can recall, but the 1950 victory over England.

John Harkes playing in England, and scoring the goal of the year versus the legendary Peter Shilton.

Seeing the winning goal in the inaugural MLS Cup hit the back of the net live in the middle of a nor'easter!

1.) Brian McBride named captain of EPL team Fulham.

2.) US reaches quarterfinals of WC 2002

3.) Alexi Lalas releases album "Ginger." The rest, as they say, is history.

April 7, 1966 - Ted Eck is born

1. Beating Mexico 2-0 in WC2002.
2. Beating Mexico 2-0 to qualify for WC2006.
3. Beating Mexico 2-0 in WC2002 qualifying.
4. Tying Mexico in Mexico with 10 men during WC1998 qualifying.
5. Beating Mexico for 2007 Gold Cup.

1. 1994 World Cup
2. Pele and the Cosmos
3. MLS Launch in 1996
4. Beckham to Galaxy
5. USA 2, Mexico 0, 2002 World Cup

I like the way you think, Uncle Sam!

Still, I've got:

1. Beating Mexico in Korea 2002
2. Beating Mexico in Gold Cup Final 2007
3. Beating Portugal in Korea 2002
4. Beating England in 1950 WC
5. Semifinalist in 1930 WC

Paul Caliguiri winner against Trinidad & Tobago (launches the "modern era" of US Soccer)

Brandi and her bra (front page of every publication in the US)

Eddie Pope's header to win MLS Cup 96 in the pouring rain (dramatic conclusion to MLS's first year...and you know, gotta have something DCU related!)

US MNT run at the 2002 World Cup (World Cup fever strikes the US in the middle of the night & bars overflowing at 8am)

Beckham-mania sweeps the USA (MLS ever so briefly goes global)

1. 1994 World Cup: US 2 - 1 Colombia
2. 2002 World Cup: US 2 - 0 Mexico
3. 2002 World Cup: US 3 - 2 Portugal
4. 1999 Women's World Cup: Brandi Chastain's PK
5. 1950 World Cup: US 1 - 0 England

Lots of good suggestions, but in my mind nothing done in league or qualifying play can match what's done in a World Cup, especially in terms of elevating the sport's status in the national consciousness.

The US perfomance in South Korea. I still get chills down my when I watch tape of the US/Portugal game. Also, our performance against Italy in 2006

Beating Mexico is too easy, it can't be listed in the top 5!

1. U.S. wins 2-0 over Mexico in 2002 World Cup round of 16.

2. U.S. beats Colombia 2-1 in the Rose Bowl to advance past the group stage in the 1994 World Cup.

3. Brandi Chastain and the U.S. Women win the 1999 Women's World Cup.

4. Paul Caligiri scores against Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for the 1990 World Cup.

5. Steven Goff hired to cover soccer at the Washington Post.

July 1988

FIFA awards the 1994 World Cup to the United States.

1) Caligiuri's goal against Trinidad
2) 3-2 Opening round victory over Portugal at WC 2002
3) 2-0 Quarterfinal victory over Mexico
4) The day MLS took the field.
5) 1-1 tie against Italy with 10 men in 2006

Joe Gaetjens' goal lifts the USA over England 1-0 at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. It was called the biggest upset ever in international soccer. From Soccerhall.org

1994 World Cup awarded to the US.

1. Goal against T&T. It changed everything
2. Winning 99 Womens WC
3. Hosting 94 WC
4. MLS Cup 96 - perhaps biased since I was there... but I think that set the tone for MLS going forward
5. Winning 2010 world cup (why not?)

I'm going to point out a milestone from long past that has long since been eclipsed by admittedly more momentous events, but which is often overlooked, so I'll mention it here. I refer to the Philadelphia Atoms winning the 1973 NASL championship. The Atoms were the first club to have an American-born head coach (Al Miller), and to have a roster that was dominated by Americans. Attendance at their home games that season averaged over 11,000, which was almost unheard of in the pre-Pele NASL. Further, for the first time in its history, Sports Illustrated decided that a soccer game should be that week's cover story; an image of Atoms keeper Bob Rigby leaping to haul in a high cross graced the cover of SI. Other teams, which until that point had only played a token American or two, started to rethink things.

Caliguri's goal
Brandi's bra
Beating England in 1950
Beating Mexico in 2002
ESPN et al, finally paying MLS to air games rather than vice versa.

I know it wasn't a victory, but what about that amazing performance against Germany in 2002 WC quarters? I mean really, Germany was very fortunate to pull through. That was certainly one of the moments I felt most proud of the team.

Beating Mexico in WC. Then the win over Portugal.

1) Beating Mexico 2-0 in the round of 16 in WC 2002.
2) Beating Mexico 2-0 in the WC2002 qualifiers.
3) Beating Mexico 2-0 in the WC2006 qualifiers.

Landon Donovan is born. (You can smile Landon)
Beating England in 1950.
US' showing in World Cup 2002.
First MLS game.
Sports bra sales.

On a more serious note ...

1. Caligiuri's blast against T&T - as already mentioned, it began the modern era
2. World Cup 1994
3. Opening of Columbus Crew stadium - began the trend of SSS which will lead to long term league stability
4. Beckham signing - not so much because of the attention but rather because I believe it will lead to better and better players coming over
5. Women's World Cup 1999

1) 1950 win over England
2) Caligiuri's goal against TNT
3) getting to the group stage in WC 1994
4) Brandi's goal
5) the entire run of WC 2002

1950 US Victory over England
1972 Title IX (fuels Women's soccer)
1973 Soccer on Sports Illustrated Cover
1996 MLS Launch
1999 US Women's World Cup

Too soon to tell about the true impact of Beckham and deignated players.

My list is centered around the idea that soccer is at least a viable pro sport in the US as hockey. This could be debated, but it isn't like saying soccer is comparable to gridiron football.

1. and 1A. USA '94 and WWC'99 Americans will watch high-quality soccer in big numbers.
2. USA makes quarters of the 2002 WC. The USA and MLS can produce a few players who can compete at a high level.
3. Home Depot Center opens - Illustrates a financially viable MLS is possible. Crew stadium just keeps a bad franchise afloat, MLS would be better off without it.
4. SJ beats DC - There has to be a pro league for there to be a viable pro league.
5. Paul Caliguri's shot to get the US into Italia '90. Large soccer-playing countries don't miss ten straight world cups.

us world cup 1994...when the sport made a huge leap here in America.

1. USA - Germany match, 2002 I was never more proud of a losing match

2. USA advances to round of 16 in 1994

3. USA 2- Mex 0 2002 WC to move to the round of 8.

4. Steve Goff starts Soccer Insider. Who knew the Internet had facts on it about fútbol.

5. Installation of the new field at RFK - 2007, signaling the end of the ground sharing with the Nats, and the potential return of International Fútbol to DC.

Freddy Adu signs with MLS
Beckham arrives in MLS
USA-Portugal, WC2002
Pele comes to America
Tim Howard starting for ManU

1. 1999 Womens world cup final at the Rose Bowl...largest attendance for a womens sporting event ever, the US won, and Americans were introduced to the sports bra
2. Hosting the 1994 Men's World Cup which was the biggest ever
3. Pele comes to the Cosmos (Beckham who?)
4. Beating Mexico in 2002 World Cup
5. Beating England in 1950 World Cup

I second (or third) the 1-0 loss to Germany in the 2002 WC. That game really made the non-CONCACAF world sit up and take notice. Truly great game (besides the result)!

The demise of the NASL. If that league were still going, we'd have one or two americans playing on each team and there'd be no place for young american talent to play other than in college. With MLS, the percentage of americans on rosters is higher than MLB. Plus, if we still has NASL, Chanalia (or, however you spell his silly name) would still have an influence on the American game -- ugh.

The US men getting the 94 cup and making it out of its group.

The Women's win over China to win the WWC in the US, and the awesome public support.

Nike taking over the US national teams. I hate Nike soccer equipment, but they have pumped a ton of money into the program.

The birth of Mia Hamm, and her subsequent Shampoo ads.

The construction of any of the soccer-specific stadiums; with columbus leading the way.

Any and all wins against Mexico (and the awesome fact that there are too many to list)

1) Beating England in the WC
2) Beating Mexico / getting to the QF in 2002 WC
3) Start of MLS
4) Hosting 1994 WC
5) The first goal against Portugal in 2002 WC opener

USA vs Portual in 2002
USA vs Germany in Same
World Cup 1994
MLS Cup 1996

1) John O'Brien's goal against Portugal in World Cup '02
2) Beating Mexico in World Cup '02
3) Eddie Pope's winning goal in MLS Cup '96, to signal the completion of the first MLS season
4) World Cup '94
5) Caliguiri's goal against T and T

1) Belo Horizonte, 1950, US 1-0 England
2) S. Korea, 2002, US 2-0 Mexico
3) U.S. WNT defeats China to win '99 WC
4) U.S. over T&T, courtesy of Caliguri, to qualify for Italia '90
5) U.S. 2-1 Colombia, '94, the game that punched our ticket to the second round

Honorable mention: 4th place finish in inaugural WC; Pope's OT winner in MLS Cup '96; Keller's Gold Cup masterpiece vs. Brazil

1: Pelé signs with the Cosmos. Soccer becomes a big time sport in the US (for about a decade), and plants the seeds for the future.
2: Caliguiri's goal in 89 vs. T&T. The start of soccer's new era in the US.
3 1994
4 Start of MLS in 1996
5 US beats México in Korea (and just about everywhere else, especially the Gold Cup).

In chronological order -

1) USA's Bert Patenaude scoring the first hat trick in WC history in 1930.
2) Beating England in the WC 1950
3) Caliguiri's goal against T and T
4) Beating Columbia in 1994
5) Beating Portugal in 2002

USWNT winning the 1999 WWC at a packed Rose Bowl.

How about the game where we played Brazil after beating Germany?

Just to watch that was pretty awesome, despite the loss.

1) Hosting World Cup 1994
2) Beating Mexico 2-0 2002
3) Qualifying for 1990 World Cup
4) "The Game of Their Lives" 1950
5) David Beckham coming to America

Thx,

Jay!

1 Caligiuri
2 San Jose 1, DCU 0 (first MLS game)
3 ESPN paying to broadcast MLS
4 "Bicycle Kick By Balboa!" ('94 vs. Columbia)
5 Chastain's Sports Bra
6 Belo Horizonte
7 Harkes Scores at Wembley
8 2002: S. Korea beats Portugal in game they could have tanked
9 Beckham Signs
10 Pele Signs

1991 WWC Champions

1996 Olympic Gold

1999 WWC Champions

Heather Mitts

HeatherMitts.com

1) USA v. England - 1950
2) The bra - Not sure if this should be that moment or it's impact, the cover of SI and other national media was huge.
3) Beginning of MLS
4) Hosting the WC in '94
5) Performance in '02 WC (vs. Portugal & vs. Mexico)

Honorable mention: 2007 Gold Cup Final (Fielhaber's goal; how could nobody mention that piece of artwork?)

1.) Caliguri's goal in T&T to qualify US for 1990 WC
2.) Pele signs with Cosmos
2.) US over Mexico in Korea 2002
3.) First MLS game (San Jose)
4.) Beckham signs with LA Galaxy (technically with MLS, right?)
5.) Soccer night with Toby Charles on PBS

NASL would never had made an impact without Pele signing...he is the one who caused all of us growing up in the '70's to start kicking a ball.

US participating in Italy 1990 is main reason soccer finally became a national sport in the last 15 years -- and will lead us to be a final 4 participant in SA 2010 and winners in either 2018 or 2022.

1. 1950 defeat over England. Probably not that significant for the development of the sport, but if the question is "greatest moment" then this one qualifies.

2. Win over T&T to qualify for the 1990 WC for its historical importance, enabling the US to host the 1994 WC and begin to build the program.

3. Brandi Chastain´s PK - not for the bra, but for summing up the success of the women's team and US Soccer in hosting "the most successful women´s sporting event in history."

4. Eddie Pope scoring the winning goal in the 1996 MLS Cup.

5. The opening of Home Depot Center

Other notable events: Nike's exclusive long-term contract with US Soccer; John Harkes's goal in the League Cup final; Mia Hamm's 1995 equalizer against Norway in the final; Wynalda's goal in that horrible game against DC United in 1996 as the first MLS game; the introduction of the Fox Soccer Channel (or its predecessor) as a soccer-driven content cable channel; and the 2002 performance in Korea; and finally, Kasey Keller's performance against Brazil in 1998.

1) Bert Patenaude's hat-trick in 1930. First hat-trick in World Cup history.

2) Belo Horizonte, 1950. England's 1st World Cup. 1-0 US over England.

3) 1999 Women's World Cup Final.

4) Paul Caliguri's shot against Trinidad and Tobago.

5) DC United winning the 1998 InterAmerican Cup over Vasco da Gama.

Best US moments:

1. McBride's gorgeous header to make it 3-0 against Portugal (WC 2002)

2. Donovan's wonderful header dooming Mexico 2-0 in the second round (WC 2002)

3. Beckham signing for LA (2007)

4. Pele signing for the Cosmos (1975)

5. Soccerbowl 1980 (NY 3 Ft L'dale 0)
- I WAS THERE!!! I even have the program

6. DC United becomes the first team to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup

7. Kasey Keller's performance against Brazil (1998)

8. MLS 1996 season

9. Clint Mathis goal of the decade against Dallas Burn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHIY_8IXhms)

10. Wynalda free-kick
(Against Switzerland just before halftime while trailing 1-0 in the WC 1994 opener)

Lamar Hunt watching the 1966 WC final and deciding to start a soccer league in the US.
1950 WC win over England by a bunch of unknowns
2002 Win over Portugal
The awarding of the 1994 WC to the United States
Caligiuri's goal against T&T

How could I forget the BEST moment in US soccer .... it had to be when STEVEN GOFF STARTED THIS BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!

Love ya Steve!

1) Hosting the 1994 World Cup
2) The Poor Performance in France 1998
3) The Turn in the Mexico Rivalry
4) MLS is born
5) November 2007 - Fenty gives United Poplar Point

I'll second that mention of Lamar Hunt.

The '94 World Cup:
*opened the world's eyes to our soccer community
*opened the USA's eyes to the beautiful game
*laid foundations of a domestic league (a specific requirement for our hosting)
*on the field of play, saw US Natl. team hang with the elite; the team's stature has grown steadily (by and large) ever since.

Heather Mitts
HeatherMitts.com

Posted by: I-270, Exit 1 November 6, 2007 01:48 PM

Hey I-270, apparently all the female mannequins at the New Under Armour store in Annapolis Mall are cast from Heather Mitts. Do what you want with that info.

Chronological order:

1. Caliguiri's goal against T&T. (The sleeping giant is born)

2. World Cup '94 (The giant is fed)

3. MLS is founded (The giant has a playground)

4. WWC 1999 (The Giant has permission from his wife to move forward)

5. US 3-2 Portugal (The giant awakens)

Nearly 20,000 loyal supports exploding into celebration and shaking RFK to its core when DC united scores the 3rd comeback goal to beat the Fire last Thursday ... oh yeah, they took it back ... but really, the greatest US soccer event has been the formation of a substantial and ever increasing number of die-hard MLS fans.

How about the WORST moments in US soccer history:

1. MLS court case
2. Landon in Germany 2006
3. The Bora-led Metrostars
4. Mike Huwiler, Thor Lee, Said Fazlagic, Jeff Causey, and Berthy Suarez wearing the black and red in 1996.
5. Wynalda red card (Italia '90)
6. Johann Cruyff refusing to sign my Washington Diplomats jersey in 1980.
7. Stoichkov's AU tackle
8. Gomez spit
9. Brian Hall winning ref of the year
10. Tony Crescetelli, Alan Green, Jeff Durgan, Pedro DeBrito, Chico Borja, et al suiting up for the US (Team America!) and trying to qualify for Mexico 1986.

My top five in no particular order

1) 1994 US World Cup
2) US Men's performance in Copa America 1995
3) The launch of MLS in 1996
4) US Men in 2002 WC in South Korea/Japan
5) US Men U-20 performance in Canada during summer 2007

etc...Pele's signing, Beckham's signing, DC United vs. Real Madrid, Paul Caligiri's goal against T&T, Bruce Areana's 8 year reign, the establishment of SuperLiga, Fulham of the English Premier League signing several Americans, Freddy Adu, College Soccer....

mcbride scoring at a sold out rfk on september 3, 2001 against guatemala to keep the usa in the race for a world cup spot. that was the most insane crowd i've ever seen for a us men's national team game in the united states. jack edwards' call for espn was amazing. he just starts screaming "THE BUILDING IS SHAKING!!!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MSA7rMs-Dk

Here's one...

USA ties eventual champions Italy in WC Germany 2006. Italy won every single game they played, except the one against the USA, where we played two men down for a while. We showed real heart. Plus, we had our winning goal by Beasely disallowed.

And more...
Bruce Arena hired for USMNT (Hey... he did a lot for us)
WWC victory in 1999
WC 2002 (Portugal, Mexico, Germany)
2006, MLS completes 10 solid years

1. The creation of MLS
2. 1950 World Cup
3. 2002 World Cup
4. 1994 World Cup
5. US vs Ireland at RFK in 1992 - a watershed moment in US Soccer. Bora bringing together for the 1st time of home grown and foreign grown players that would shape the US team and MLS for the future

Beating Mexico at the World Cup in 2002 to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Beating England at the 1950 World Cup.

Paul Caligiuri's goal to qualify for the 1990 World Cup.

Winning the 1999 Women's World Cup at the Rose Bowl.

Pele signing for the Cosmos in 1975.

1. USMNT beating Mexico in 2002 World Cup
2. USA hosting 1994 World Cup
3. USWNT winning 1999 World Cup
4. Goal by Paul Caliguri against TnT for USMNT qualification to 1990 World Cup
5. Pele signing with Cosmos

1. Hosting 1994 World Cup
2. 2002 World Cup: US 2 - 0 Mexico
3. Pele
4. Paul Caliguri goal
5. 1950 World Cup: US 1 - 0 England

Hosting the world cup beats out the the start of MLS and the win over Columbia, because the only reason those two happened is because we hosted the World Cup. I would have liked to include Brandi's goal, but I am not sure it has had a long term impact on proffessional soccer in the US (hopefully the new women's league survices).

Top DC United Soccer Moments:

5. What-a-moco Blanco fouled 13+ times by DC United during playoffs
4. Nationals moving out of RFK
3. Ben Olsen
2. Goff's Soccer Insider
1. DC United Fan Clubs!

1. Paul Caliguri's goal against T&T
2. World Cup 2002 performance
3. Beating Argentina in 1995 in Uruguay
4. Hosting World Cup 1994
5. Pele/Beckenbauer/Cruyff in NASL

2) beating England in 1950 WC in Brazil. "best moment"
2a) beating Mexico in 2002 WC in Korea. "best moment" in this century!
4) hosting 1994 WC. biggest short-term event to move the game up in the attention of Americans.
4a) starting MLS in 1996 (which came directly from #3 above). professional league is a must to have the sport succeed, broadly speaking.
6) winning 1999 Women's WC. who doesn't like a winner?!

1) still reserved for the "Giants-Colts game" of soccer.

oops, need to preview first!

2) beating England in 1950 WC in Brazil. "best moment"
2a) beating Mexico in 2002 WC in Korea. "best moment" in this century!
4) hosting 1994 WC. biggest short-term event to move the game up in the attention of Americans.
4a) starting MLS in 1996 (which is intertwined with #4 above). professional league is a must to have the sport succeed, broadly speaking.
6) winning 1999 Women's WC. who doesn't like a winner?!

1) still reserved for the "Giants-Colts game" of soccer.

1. 1997 Chicago Fire are born
2. 1998 Chicago Fire's domestic double
3. 2005 3rd kit for Chicago Fire
4. 2006 Toyota Park opens
5. 2007 Cuauhtemoc Blanco joins Chicago helps continue Chicago's unbeaten streak vs. DC in the playoffs

This doesn't count as a discrete earthshaking event, but more of a subtle but essential development that must be recognized to fill out the timeline: Who were the first Americans to play at the highest level in England, Germany, etc., and when?

I like the idea of a Top Ten (thanks Bristol), because of the flexibility, and I like Moteus' suggestion about Gomez' RFK-shaking series-tying goal last week. Would have been one of the two most memorable moments in MLS' history.

As is:
1) Pele Coming to America
2) The Caligiuri goal against T&T -- nobody noticed, but there were a few hundred of us Yanks in the stands the following summer in Italy. We did not have the culture yet (no songs, big flags, etc.), but we got our first taste, thanks to that historic goal.
3) 1999 WWC final, and the bra moment
4) 1996 MLS Cup final (MLS' most memorable moment)
5) 1950 win over England -- less noticed than even the win at T&T, but for sheer audacity it can't be touched
#s 6-10 reserved for actually great soccer moments, as if we were a real football-crazed country
6) The McBride header in 2002 WC
7) The Friedel clean sheet against Mexico in 2002 WC
8) Kasey Keller putting up a stone-wall against Brazil in the '98 Gold Cup
9) The Benny Feilhaber '07 Gold Cup strike
10) July 4th, 1994 -- U.S. turns in a decent effort against Brazil, with a national network audience on the nation's holiday.

Special mentions: Clint Dempsey scores a goal in Nuremberg in '06. If the refs had not gifted a goal to Ghana just before halftime with a phantom penalty on Gooch, this goal would have been a prelude to the eventual game-winner, which would have sent the U.S. into the next round. As it was, it was the first and only time that a U.S. player found the back of the net in the '06 Cup. Notwithstanding the disappointment that followed, there was a huge explosion of joy and pride (at least there was for me -- I had the best seats I ever had for a game, and I was delirious with joy).

Also, who can forget Gregg Berhalter, getting on the end of Landon Donovan's beautiful, bending corner kick, during the quarterfinal match in the '02 Cup, against Germany? With a sliding stab, Berhalter got his shot through the save attempt by Oliver Kahn, to tie up this match at 1-1. Oh wait. I forgot. Thorsten Frings got his arm in the way and kept the ball out of the goal, and the refs completely blew the call...

Funny -- This got me to remember that quarterfinal match, where the U.S. outplayed Germany but wound up on the short side of the score. Made we think about the Soccer Insider blog a couple of days ago, with people (myself included) being critical fo Bruce Arena's coaching. The funny thing is, with Brad Friedel playing in '02, and Landon Donovan running with abandon, Arena seemed like a much better coach. If the U.S. got the result it deserved that day, they would have advanced to the semifinals of the World Cup. Wow.

1. Beating Mexico in quarterfinals of 02 World Cup
2. Hosting 94 World Cup and advancing out of the group stage
3. Beating Portugal to start the 02 World Cup
4. The Start of MLS
5. Claudio Reyna and Brian McBride becoming regular starters (in the field) in the EPL

1 June 23, 1972 - Title IX enacted
2 June 29, 1950 - US Men's national team beats UK
3 July 10, 1999 USA Women's National Team World Cup Victory
4 June 6, 2007 US Men's National Team defeats Mexico to win 2007 Gold Cup

1. Beating Mexico 2002 WC.
2. Qualifying for the 1990 WC.
3. Winning 99 WWC.
4. Beating England 1950 WC
5. 3rd place in WC 2010

1. Beating Mexico 2002 WC.
2. Qualifying for the 1990 WC.
3. Winning 99 WWC.
4. Beating England 1950 WC
5. 3rd place in WC 2010

Top 10s, because there's too much to choose from.

Top 10 for the women:

1. Title IX enacted 1972. Thank you Patsy Mink, Birch Bayh, and Richard Milhous Nixon!

2. 1999 World Cup win in the Rose Bowl, 90,000 in person, worldwide TV audience.

3. Kristine Lilly heads the Chinese shot that would have won the game off the line in extra time, 1999 World Cup. The single most important individual play in USWNT history.

4. Brandi Chastain 1999 WC winning goal and celebration.

5. US wins first Women's World Cup, 1991, Michelle Akers wins Golden Boot.

6. 1996 Olympic Gold medalists.

7. Michelle Akers wins FIFA Player of the Century.

8. Hosting the 1999 World Cup to sold out stadiums around the country; led to the WUSA (RIP).

9. Mia Hamm/Michael Jordan commercial.

10. 1987, Anson Dorrance adds teenagers Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett and Kristine Lilly to the national team. They turned out to be OK.

For the men:

1. 1950 US win over England

2. Paul Caliguri goal v. T&T. The single most important individual play in USMNT history.

3. US v. Portugal, 3-0 in the first half, 2002 (I can still feel the thrill!)

4. US hosts 1994 World Cup.

5. Pele and the Cosmos. Joga bonita!

6. MLS debuts, 1996

7. US beats Mexico 2-0 2002 World Cup

8. US loses to Germany (handball, Frings!) 2002

9. US advances to second round of 1994 World Cup.

10. 1-1 tie with eventual 2006 World Cup winner Italy.

1. US defeating Mexico to get into the Quarterfinals of the World Cup 2002.

2. US defeating Columbia to advance to the second round of World Cup 1994.

3. US defeating T&T to qualify for the 1990 World Cup.

4. US defeating Portugal in the first game of the 2002 World Cup.

5. The start of MLS.

1. Caligiuri's shot heard 'round the world
2. WC 1994
3. MLS
4. WC 2002
5. Tab Ramos' volley against Costa Rica in Portland for the 1-0 win. The first time the USA support outnumbered Central American support in our own backyard.

USA 2 x 0 Dos-a-ceros JPN/KOR '02
USA '94
Preki/Keller 1 x 0 Brasil(GoldCup'98)
USA 3 x ARG 0 (CopaAm'95)
1st Half USAxGER 2nd JPN/KOR'02

"Joe Gaetjens' goal lifts the USA over England 1-0 at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil."

Ah yes, I remember that (crappy movie) like it was yesterday.

I highly recommend the book by Geoffrey Douglas on which that film is based. In fact, if you read the book, you will find the movie even more irritating. In nearly every case in which the director and screenwriter exercised dramatic license, they made things less interesting than the true story. In fact, they missed the real point that Douglas captured so well, which wasn't what happened on the pitch, but the celebration of the lives of these modest, self-effacing regular guys from inner-city ethnic neighborhoods in St. Louis, Philadelphia, etc., who had this bizarre experience that they could never have imagined.

1. US over England in 1950 WC
2. Paul Caligiari's goal versus T&T (Shot heard around CONCACAF)
3. Brandi's strip tease
4. Pele retiring in NASL
5. US advancing in 2002 World Cup (sum of events from 1st round win over Portugal through great game against Germany - freaking Tony Sanneh's header over the top...)

Bottom Five:
1. World Cup 1998
2. World Cup 2006
3. Development of Indoor Soccer Leagues
4. Matthaus on the Metros
5. Breakaway shoot out system in NASL

2009: USA defeats Mexico in a World Cup qualifier at Estadio Azteca.

Here's something else that is not a dramatic "moment", but an important development that helped make most of the moments cited by everyone else possible; namely, the founding of Soccer America magazine in the early 1970s. Try to imagine a world in which nearly all of the sources of information that we take for granted, including online sources such as this blog, as well as cable and satellite channels devoted to soccer, did not exist, and coverage in traditional media, including the pre-Goff Post, was nearly nonexistent. SA was the only comprehensive source of news at all levels of the domestic game, from coast to coast, with international coverage thrown in to the extent they could manage on a shoestring budget. It was a glue that connected communities and gave people a sense that they were part of something bigger, just as Soccer Insider does for us.

The best moment happens every weekend, fall and spring, at places like Covenant Park in Howard Co. and SoccerPlex in Germantown, when 100's of kids and parents pack fields and parking lots just to have fun playing the game.

1. Beating Portugal 3-2 in 2002 World Cup

2. Beating Mexico 2-0 in 2002 World Cup

3. 1-1 Tie with Italy 1-1 with only 10 men in 2006 World Cup (only team not to lose to World Champions in 2006 World Cup)

4. MLS Formation (key basis for above performances)

5. NASL Formation (MLS applied learnings from the early nationwide-league)

In regards to your heading for your fifth point, It is not "The MLS", it is simply MLS.

I wish the reference to "Pre-Dawn Pandemonium" in 2002 had included a more specific local angle; namely, that Summers Restaurant in Arlington became famous around the country, and even attracted some international coverage, for having special pre-dawn hours for footie fans. By the end of the tournament that practice had spread far and wide; as I recall, thousands of fans watched the quarterfinal against Germany at RFK Stadium.

The best U.S. soccer moment didn't even happen on a soccer field. It happened in the 1970s, when Kyle Rote, Jr. (star of the old NASL Dallas Tornado) won the made-for-TV "Superstars" competition three times in four years. More people saw him do that than have yet to watch a U.S. pro soccer game.

I've always wanted to Harkesie's goal of the year in England. Does anyone know where I can find footage?

I have to vote for USA winning 3-0 over Argentina in Paysandu, Uruguay at the 1995 Copa America. I had to drive all over DC to find a sports bar showing the game. Lalas came forward and got a sliding kick goal from no angle. We shocked the world!

What about Tony Meola retiring from international play? How could everyone else have missed that one?

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