Offside Sound-Off: What Were Your Favorite Games of 2007?

By: Laurie | December 28th, 2007

USSoccerPlayers.com has an interesting article up this week where each writer lists his favorite games of 2007. (And by “his,” yes, I mean “his.” They’re all guys.)

This left me reflecting on mine, and wondering about yours. What were your favorite games of 2007?

Remember, this doesn’t need to be fact-based. Just tell us about the games that made the biggest mark on your heart.

Here are mine:

3. France vs. Lithuania Euro qualifier, October 17. The game itself was kind of ho-hum, with France spending the first 79 minutes unable to put the ball in the net and sweating the counter-attacks. But then Thierry Henry came through and scored not just the game-winner but also the record-beater that put him over Michel Platini as the all-time goal scorer for France. And then, to remove all doubt, he turned around and did it again a minute later. Final score France 2-0 Lithuania, giving France a vital three points in a must-win game.

2. SuperLiga final, LA Galaxy vs. Pachuca, August 29. Yes, my Galaxy lost on PKs. But they didn’t curl up and die, even after David Beckham went out with a serious knee injury. Given their abysmal, Beckham-obsessed season, seeing them fight up till the end of this game was golden. And that injury time Chris Klein bicycle kick goal? Magical. I didn’t know bodies over thirty could do that!

1. Gold Cup final, US vs. Mexico, June 24. Maybe I shouldn’t admit this, but in general I don’t get excited over USMNT games. (Don’t hate me. I’m working on it.) But this one was an exciting, high-energy game. And that Feilhaber goal had me cheering and shrieking at my television. It is fully deserving of my number 1 spot.

For what it’s worth, this game also showed up in my mailbox as the #1 game for Glenn Davis of the Houston Chronicle, and in some site called “Male performers in gay porn films.” (I didn’t click on the link, so don’t ask. I have no idea.)

Check out the highlights below. (Of the game. Not the gay porn stars.)

Some Related Stories:

Category: Europe, MLS, North America, World Football

« L’Equipe Names ~~Prem~~ World XI For 2007 | Home | Barton Arrested Again »

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Ian

Results: France 0-1 Scotland. Inverness 3-2 Celtic.

Pure neutral watching joy: Every Argentina match until the final in Copa America.
roswitha

Argentina's semi-final performance in the Copa America.

Milan v/s United, both legs sans doubt. The second leg wins out for the atmosphere as much as for Milan's win.
Mac

Two games stand out the most:

The ManU vs. Milan game for sheer shock of seeing ManU ManHandled in the San Siro. The image of Kaka's goal celebration in rainy Milan just stuck with me.

And by far my favorite game was the Copa America final. I went into it expecting the worst from Brazil's national side and expecting to see Argentina run circles around them. (Let me make it clear that I support any Latin American team over any other team, so most of the time I'm actually cheering for Argentina! The Selecao was the underdog in that match...)

Anyway, I was watching the game in the medical library at my university, wearing headphones and studying for a big test I had the next day. When that first goal went in, I didn't care about anything in the world: not the test, not library etiquette, nor the possibility of getting kicked out of the place. I just had to celebrate. And that I did :D
Hana

*Gattuso gargh, i can't spell today. but while im at it, i'll second shane's vote for the US v Brazil friendly. i was SO incredibly mad i couldn't get tickets, especially since i live in chicagpo, but it was still a fun match to watch.
Hana

ManU vs Milan, 2nd Leg in the Champions League semi-finals. Puts a smile on my face everytime I think of it. Milan were perfection and seeing the mighty Rino Gatusso completely shut down pretty Ronaldo was completely awesome. Laurie, I was at the Gold Cup final, and I agree, it was wonderful.
Laurie

Nelson, I almost listed that ManU Roma game, even though I'm also not a ManU fan. Seeing Patrice Evra score from the RIGHTback position just made it for me!
Nelson

Portugal vs. Belgium last march. 4-0 Portugal...a great an exciting display of football (if you're a portugual fan that is)

also Manchester United vs. Roma (the 7-1 blowout)

not really a manchester fan but i love to watch italians get their ass kicked
Agi

Tottenham v. West Ham, 4-3

Gol TV's coverage of the last day of La Liga. Real Madrid v. Real Mallorca, 3-1 & Barcelona v. Gimnastic, 5-1

Copa America Final, Brasil v. Argentina, 3-0
Richard

Spurs 4-3 win at West Ham last March was a thriller.... Berba scored the equalizer on a free kick in the 90th minute then after quite a bit of drama at the other end we scored on a break away in the 94th minute. Defoe blazed down the pitch and took a shot which Robert Green saved only to have it deflect right to Paul Stalteri who put the ball right in the back of the goal.... One of the very best games of the year and one of the most dramatic you could ever hope to see. COYS!!!
Lucas

The Portland Timbers 3-0 win over Vancouver in the playoffs was probably my favorite game of the year. There were lots of great games (the Timbers were unbeaten at home), and lots of exciting moments (including a couple stoppage time winners), but overcoming two major bogeys (Vancouver and playoffs) was a huge thrill.
bluemeanies

3. US 2 vs Mexico 1
2. WWC Brazil 4 vs US 0 - wow was Brazil amazing
1. DC 4 vs NYRB 2 at RFK Had everything you could possibly want if by everything you mean - Ben Olsen hat trick, DC winning, Luciano Emilio goal, the majority of DC goals coming after going a man down, DC winning against the energy drinks and a BEN OLSEN HAT TRICK.
Shane

US vs Brazil, Sept 9th, Chicago, IL. I was there and even though i got to see the talented Brazil and an awesome Ronaldinho free kick i'm still a US fan and i let the Brazilian fans, who think every game is a home game, know it. Oh, and Robinho is a baby.