I have still yet to experience success in my conscious life. Every year, it is the same story: a hopeful start, followed by a disaster, continued with a glimmer of hope, finally crushed at the end with a blow so painful, you just wonder if it is ever worth it in the end. Of course I am referring to my passion for sports, and the teams I have poured support and love into, only to let me down at the end. From dismal seasons to crashing ends (literally with the last action of the game), my sports heart has ripped out, put back in, and ripped out again in this year that I would really love to forget.
3. Toronto FC
March 7 seemed so long ago by the middle of May, as a team with so much potential eventually dubbed themselves "the worst team in the world." At the end of the 2011 campaign, there was a renewed optimism in a club full of failure. TFC shut up their critics with a stunning victory over the star studded LA Galaxy in the CONCACAF Champions League Quarter Finals. But then they started their league season 0-9, an MLS best for being the worst. Continental success only went so far, as they saw a 3-2 aggregate lead against Santos Laguna turn into a 7-3 loss in the final 45 minutes of the Champions League semi-finals. After the start, it seemed that all hope was lost for Toronto, as expectations of making the playoffs disappeared altogether.
2. Canadian Men's National Soccer Team
If only, if only. The goal for the first two games was to take 4 points. Canada did just that and fell a point short of progressing the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, known as the Hex. Who knew those shots just skimming past the Honduran goal would prove to be so costly.
One can play this what if game, or they can simply look at the last game, an 8-1 drubbing courtesy of the Hondurans. A top of the group heading into the last game of the group stage, Canadians had their heads high and their hopes soaring. We only needed one point! But the Canadian's did not show up to play. A demoralizing effort saw the end of the road for several Canadian internationals, whose dream of making it to the World Cup was ended. All of the momentum in the nation built from their past games, as well as the success of the women's team in London, was lost. Mission 2014 was over.
Bayern Munich
It makes a world of difference to afford world class footballers, separating the ultimate teams from the great teams. I never fell for Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Juve. I fell for one of the most over looked super teams in Europe. But as the trend continues, 2012 was a year to forget. Bayern was 2nd best in all competitions, but one specifically stands out far above the rest: the Champions League Final.
I was never interested in soccer until grade 9. After finishing our science exam, my teacher put the TV on so we could watch the World Cup. Maybe it's because I had nothing else to do, but I was intrigued and drawn into the beautiful game. I immediately had a choice as to which national team to align myself with, seeing as my dad is English, and my mom is German. I chose the latter, and never looked back. Die Nationalmannschaft had a spectacular run on home soil, losing in the semis to eventual winners Italy. But one particular player caught my eye, and has been my favourite ever since (most likely because of his name): Bastian Schweinsteiger. World Cup 2006 was the beginning of my soccer passion that has developed me into a supporter. I immediately started following the German team and Schweini, leading me to learn more about the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich in particular.
I feel this background is essential to explain the heartache I felt May 26, above everything else mentioned above. Watching my nation crash out of the World Cup hurt a lot, but the result was determined 20 minutes into the game. When Schweinsteiger hit the post with the 5th penalty kick, my heart sank, my eyes filled with tears, and my dream of one of "my teams" winning a major championship was gone instantly. This is the closest I've come as a fan.
