Soccer Watch

Top 9 Soccer Stories of 2009

1) LE MAIN DE DIEU DEUX A Thierry Henry handball knocked Ireland out of next year's World Cup Finals (and put France in), sparked calls for rule changes, almost caused a diplomatic incident, and gave the Irish something to cry in their beers about for the next four years.

2) AZTEX BRING PRO SOCCER TO AUSTIN I could make a Top 10 list just out of Aztex highlights – but suffice it to say, management keeps making one smart move after another. House Park, here we come!

3) UNITED DIVIDED SOCCER LEAGUES The USL's year started on a high – with Montreal and Puerto Rico advancing deep into the CONCACAF Champions' League – and ended on a low: a massive teams/owners revolt that remains unresolved.

4) LONGHORNS GO PRO With three-quarters of last year's back line (Stephanie Logterman, Kasey Moore, and Jill Gilbeau) making a living this year in Women's Professional Soccer, it's little surprise that this was a rebuilding season for the Horns.

5) HILLTOPPERS RULE THE HEARTLAND The St. Edward's men and women both seemed to get better as the season went on. The men won the Heartland Conference for the first time since 2000; the women advanced to the NCAA regional final before losing in penalty kicks.

6) BARCELONA WINS EVERYTHING Led by World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, the Catalans are reigning champions of Spain, Europe, the world, and all the available cups therein. If this is not the best team ever, at least this has been the best year any team has ever had.

7) STOKED The Aztex's big brothers, the Stoke City Potters, finished strong in their first season in the English Premier League, made some good moves in the offseason, and seem to be avoiding a sophomore slump.

8) YANKS A LOT The U.S. men had a great pre-World Cup year – highlighted by a Confederations Cup run where they snapped No. 1 Spain's record winning streak – but unfortunately ...

9) 5-0! ... the single game that most stands out was a stunning 5-0 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final in New Jersey.