McCarthy's Musings: One Last Look

By Kyle McCarthy

I'm not ready to dismiss 2008 and enter 2009 without one longing glance back towards the year that passed.

Time will prove the best arbiter of how 2008 will go down in history. Only the passage of time will grant the proper perspective one can't find to reflect on events recently passed. Broad strokes – 2008 was fun and enjoyable, argues this pundit – are fine, but placement remains in issue.

With the inherent limitations of recent history in mind, today's Friday Five offers a list of my most memorable moments from 2008. These aren't necessarily the most important or the most influential moments of the year, but rather moments that I will recall fondly when asked about the year that was.

5. Streaker interrupts Olympic qualifier in Tampa

Tiffany May's run across Raymond James Stadium during an Olympic qualifier perfectly summarized the national team programs this year. Aside from May's lingerie-clad scamper, there wasn't much to write home about from the men's program in the Olympics or World Cup qualifying. Interest plunged at the turnstiles and in the media despite good results from the senior team, while the Olympic team failed to get out of a difficult first-round group. May also provided yet another example of the influence Internet-based media holds over American soccer fans; wide-spread posting on the major soccer blogs, plus word of mouth, saw May's run rack up nearly 200,000 hits on this clip alone by Jan. 1.

4. Cooper's cult and Donovan's reminder

No one player represented the power of the Internet like Kenny Cooper. His popularity swelled as the year progressed as the combination of pace, ability and power ravaged MLS defenses. Supporters went apoplectic as Bob Bradley continued to leave Cooper out of the U.S. national team mix. Cooper enjoyed a uniform popularity that few American players have experienced. Cooper's rise dovetailed nicely with Landon Donovan's desire to remind American fans of his abilities. Donovan dominated MLS with 20 goals in 2008 and may just try to kick on with a European move in 2009. The league will miss him badly if he decides to try his luck elsewhere.

3. Euro 2008 captivates a worldwide audience

With just 16 teams and only Austria truly looking out of its depth, Euro 2008 gave spectators what the World Cup cannot: consistently entertaining and exciting contests. The Dutch and the Russians entertained us, but the plaudits eventually ended up with the champions from Spain. On the whole, the perpetual runners-up finally deserved to break their duck. But the real winners were the fans who got to watch – except for the English, perhaps.

2. Columbus does the double

A perfect storm didn't push the Crew to the double. Instead, a strong side compiled by a proven winner and comprised of accomplished professionals mixed with talented youth stars brought Columbus its first MLS crown. Sigi Schmid's side proved resolute at the back and daring in the attack with Argentine schemer and MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto. No team deserved MLS Cup glory more than the Crew this season and not even the Cinderella-clad Red Bulls could stop them in the final.

1. Barnsley defeats Liverpool at Anfield and Chelsea at Oakwell en route to the FA Cup semifinals.

For a supporter of a small- or medium-sized club, there isn't anything quite as magical as a FA Cup run. I happen to support Barnsley F.C., a Yorkshire club best known for playing one year in the Premier League in the late 1990's. Barnsley usually shoots for mid-table safety in the Championship, but a good run of form in the early stages of 2007-2008 laid the foundation for shocking victories over Liverpool at Anfield and Chelsea at a sold-out Oakwell as the Tykes reached the FA Cup semifinals for the first time since winning the competition in 1912. Barring a shock promotion to the Premier League at some point, there is a good chance that this FA Cup run will be my apex as a Barnsley supporter. My biggest regret of the year: moving during the summer and losing the two matches saved as “Do Not Delete Until Manually Erased” when I turned in my old DVR.

Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and blogs frequently during the week for Goal.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kylemccarthy@gmail.com.