AS USA’s best football moments of the year
Do I call that AS? Is it funny enough? They remain unnamed at this time, but yes, these are the AS USA awards as presented, curated, and chosen by myself. If you want to dress up in costume and celebrate then adelante, it’s all up to you. If not, and you just want to take a trip down memory lane for 2022, then feel free to stick around and have some fun.
best goal
Mbappé’s strike against Argentina in the World Cup final was pretty good, but since he didn’t win the trophy, he won’t get that one either. Benjamin Sesko’s volley was stunning, and a shout out to Gudelj for Sevilla against Mallorca, we didn’t know you could do that. Alba’s equalizer against Atlético was fine, as was Pablo Pérez’s aerial strike for Newell’s Old Boys.
I give it to Erling Haaland against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Watch the assist, drink on arrival. What a monster.
best game
The World Cup final was pretty good, wasn’t it? A 3-3 draw out of nowhere, with goals from Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, extra time, penalties, stunning saves… what more could you ask for? Real Madrid’s victory in the Champions League was special, but we’ll get to that.
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Argentina striker Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophy.FRANCK FIFEAFPBest comeback
Here we are. Real Madrid’s Champions League victory in 2022 was the most unpredictable tournament in modern football history. They’ve gone behind 100 times and come back 101, with last-minute goals and Benzema’s magic sprinkled throughout – and remember Modric passing with the outside of his boot to Rodrygo? Weft. What a race.
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09/03/22 PARTIDO VUELTA OCTAVOS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REAL MADRID – PSG PRIMER GOL EMPATE 1-1 BENZEMAJESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELADiarioASBest sh*thouse
If the answer isn’t Emiliano Martínez, then who could it be? Yes, the Aston Villa goalkeeper thrived as a pantomime villain at the World Cup in Qatar. His penalty shootout performance will go down in football lore and *that* podium celebration with his Goalkeeper of the Tournament trophy – do I even have the words to describe it? Honestly, I don’t mind Dibu Martínez doing this, but only because he can prove it by being a really good goalkeeper.
best world record
Surely Barcelona broke the world record for attendance at an official women’s football match, right? What an extraordinary moment in the history of football. And not a bad Barça team to go with!
Best first contact
Christian Eriksen returned to play football, captaining his team against the Netherlands, 300 days after suffering cardiac arrest. He did it with his first touch of the ball
best signing
Crazy beast Erling Haaland broke another record against Leeds (1-3) and he already has 21 league goals this season; Harry Kane is next with 13. It took just 8 games for him to get THREE hat-tricks in the Premier League; the 22-year-old needed the fewest games to reach 20 goals in the history of the competition. I could go on, but this list is quite long.
That’s why I’m going with Robert Lewandowski. The Barcelona striker completely changed his squad, taking them from the brink of the abyss to the top of the league this Christmas. Haaland’s City side, scary as they are, are still 7 points behind Arsenal; Barça would be far without the Polish striker.
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Along with AS USA’s top signing, Lewandowski also won the Golden Boot for being Europe’s top scorer. I know which one I would prefer. ALBERT GEAREUTERS is the worst performance
Perhaps a bit of recency bias, but poor Leicester’s Wout Faes scored the two most ridiculous own goals of the match against Liverpool that the prize has to go to the Belgian. First it’s one of those outrageous spinning movies that loops on everyone and takes 3 years to find the back of the net, second is an over the top ball that hits the front post to bounce directly off the backing defender. Leicester lost 2-1.
best magic trick
Try this from Fulham’s Antonee Robinson. Breathtaking.
Best quote
Messi reached the World Cup semi-final after beating the Netherlands but not before telling mountain man Wout Weghorst to go away calling him something your nan could scream at television. “Bobo” translates to “idiot,” but it’s watered down so much it’s a hilarious choice of insult. Especially in Spanish, where the options are hardly limited.
Best Big Man in a Small Car
Dan Burn wins.
Best grind your teeth
Be honest, did you know Piers Morgan was still on TV? Neither do I. So when Cristiano Ronaldo appeared complaining about everything from Eric ten Hag playing him for 3 minutes against Spurs to then saying he wasn’t ‘arrogant’ just after asking ‘how do they not want of a player who scored 32 goals last year, with the national team?”, we all gave that ‘OK, he’s leaving football like that’ look.
Best Fan Moment
Argentina fans were simply breathtaking the day after the World Cup final, causing the parade of players by bus to be abandoned for a helicopter ride due to the number of people on the streets of Buenos Aires. But a moment of genuine love and togetherness for the fans sums up what football is all about.
And, since we are AS USA… Best USMNT POTY
I give this to Tyler Adams. The new USMNT captain for the World Cup was a perfect blend of sportsmanship, shit and respect, as well as footballing talent, in 2022. His move to Leeds was seen as a good choice by everyone. world, especially since he found Jesse Marsch, who is something of a mentor for the player. He has done very well in the Premier League so far, giving American players a platform to stand on alongside fellow American stars Pulisic and Aaronson. Adams has been linked with moves way above the level Leeds are at and those rumors are not undeserved, his performance against England in the group stage made everyone want an Adams in their squad and Leeds have a real player on his books for 2023.