In compiling the top 10 story lines in American soccer this past year, it would be easy to fill every slot with the U.S. women’s national team winning the World Cup and all the tasty narratives derived from the summer glory in France.
In fairness to the lesser gender — a men’s program that has tumbled in status and relevance — and to the pro and college ranks that faithfully nourish the sport in this country, the year-end roundup embraces diversity: male and female, good, bad and ugly.
1. Reflections begin, of course, with the women’s team, which faced growing challenges from teams representing countries slowly awakening to investing in the female game.