Best Soccer Bar - VOTE
The winner of this award goes to the best soccer-focused or soccer-friendly bar in the United States, showing the full gamut of games from the EPL, MLS, USL and internationals from across the globe.

1. Brewhouse Café (Atlanta, Ga.)
2. Ginger’s Ale House (Chicago, Ill.)
3. George and Dragon Pub (Seattle, Wash.)
4. The Globe (Chicago, Ill.)
5. Monty’s Corner (Rochester, N.Y.)
6. Penny Lane Pub (Richmond, Va.)
7. The Red Lion (New York)
8. Summer’s (Arlington, Va.)
9. Shakespeare’s Pub & Grille (San Diego, Calif.)
10. The Three Lions Pub (Blackbaud Stadium; Charleston, S.C.)

Best Soccer Store - VOTE
This award honors the best all-around store to buy all things soccer, from the Nike Mercurial cleats for your Saturday league to that Abby Wambach national team jersey you wear to cheer on the U.S. Women from the stadium or couch.

1. Angelo’s Soccer Corner (Four locations in Pennsylvania)
2. Chicago Soccer (Chicago, Ill.)
3. George’s Soccer Supply (Troy, Mich.)
4. The Soccer Corner (Three locations in Dallas, Texas, area)
5. Soccer Master (St. Louis, Mo.)
6. Soccer Post (San Diego, Calif.)
7. The Soccer Shack (Rochester, N.Y.)
8. The Soccer Shop (Redmond, Wash.)
9. The Soccer Store (Boca Raton, Fla.)
10. Soccer Village (Three locations in Cincinnati, Ohio)

Best Goal - VOTE
Best thing in soccer? That’s easy: goals. This award crowns the top strike by a U.S. Men’s, Women’s or Youth National Team player during the past year.

1. Clint Dempsey vs. Japan – Feb. 10 @ San Francisco, Calif.
A splendid collection of passes between Todd Dunivant, Pat Noonan, Josh Wolff and Taylor Twellman guides the ball up the left flank and into the middle of the penalty area where CLINT DEMPSEY puts the final touch into the net with a clinical one-timer into the lower right corner past the Japanese goalkeeper.

2. Taylor Twellman vs. Japan – Feb. 10 @ San Francisco, Calif.
Coming off a hat trick against Denmark, TAYLOR TWELLMAN nabs his most impressive goal with the national team when he separates from his defender in the penalty area and lunges head-first for Landon Donovan’s corner kick, burying the eventual game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory against Japan.

3. Ben Olsen vs. Guatemala – Feb. 19 @ Frisco, Texas
During an unusually freezing cold game in Texas, BEN OLSEN warms up the crowd when he settles a cross from Chris Klein outside the penalty area before unleashing a stunning right-footed strike into the upper left corner past the helpless Guatemala goalkeeper.

4. Clint Dempsey vs. Poland – March 1 @ Kaiserslautern, Germany
CLINT DEMPSEY demonstrates the athleticism and desire that has made him one of the most impressive national team players during the year when he scores the game-winning goal against Poland. The midfielder darts past his defender and gets his head to the ball to knock it into the net, all while avoiding the right post.

5. Natasha Kai vs. France – March 13 @ Faro, Portugal
Coming on as a substitute for just her second cap, NATASHA KAI receives a through ball into the box and tries to dribble around her defender only to get stuffed by the ‘keeper. With a great second effort she finds the loose ball and hits a bending chip before falling to the ground and watching it find the left side netting.

6. Lindsay Tarpley vs. France – March 13 @ Faro, Portugal
LINDSAY TARPLEY receives a poorly headed clearance by a French defender about 15 yards out and hits an impressive first-time finish off a short hop, blasting the difficult attempt into the upper left corner.

7. Clint Dempsey vs. Ghana – June 22 @ Nuremberg, Germany
Since we don’t have rights to show you this World Cup strike, you’ll have to just bring it up in the memory bank or go check your TIVO to see if you still have it saved. Here’s the description to help you remember: CLINT DEMPSEY provides the biggest highlight of the 2006 FIFA World Cup for the U.S. when he runs onto a cross from DaMarcus Beasley and crushes a one-timer into the back of the net past the Ghana ‘keeper to pull the U.S. level in the first half.

8. Abby Wambach vs. Ireland – July 23 @ San Diego, Calif.
Lori Chalupny beats her defender and dribbles down the left wing before curling in a deep cross to the back post where ABBY WAMBACH races to the ball at the corner of the six-yard box and converts a spectacular diving header, knocking the ball high into the net past the Irish goalkeeper.

9. Sheanon Williams vs. Turkey – Sept. 3 @ Staines Town, England
Down 1-0 to Turkey, the U.S. U-17s take a free kick from near midfield that is knocked around near the penalty area until it falls to SHEANON WILLIAMS, who, with his back to the goal, chests the ball and then hits a jaw-dropping bicycle kick into the upper left corner.

10. Abby Wambach vs. Mexico – Nov. 22 @ Carson, Calif.
ABBY WAMBACH secures a spot in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup with two goals against Mexico in the Gold Cup semifinals, the second a stunner to grab the final nominee spot. Wambach makes a hard run to beat her defender to the near post and re-directs a cross from the left sideline with a spectacular header past the frozen ‘keeper from a tough angle.

Best Kristine Lilly Goal - VOTE
Why did we give Kristine Lilly her own category? She’s 35. She’s played more than 300 games. She’s playing with teammates who had her poster on their wall as kids. And she’s still scoring more world-class goals than anyone. That’s why.

1. Kristine Lilly vs. France – March 13 @ Faro, Portugal
Lilly might not remember every goal she’s scored in her career, but when you hammer a half-volley off the underside of the crossbar, and it bounces hard on the goal line before hitting the roof of the net, and you do that in the first minute of the game, that’s probably one you’re not going to forget.

2. Kristine Lilly vs. Sweden – July 15 @ Blaine, Minn.
In a wild finish that includes three goals in the final minutes of the game, Lilly is the hero, in the right place at the right time, driving a first-time half-volley with her lethal left foot just under the crossbar from 12 yards out in the final seconds for the dramatic 3-2 victory over Sweden.

3. Kristine Lilly vs. China – Aug. 27 @ Bridgeview, Ill.
Lilly gets the ball wide on the left flank with space and dribbles toward goal, losing her defender as she moves into the box before deftly chipping the ball over the goalkeeper who had come off her line. The shot kissed the bottom of the crossbar before dropping into the side netting.

4. Kristine Lilly vs. Denmark – Oct. 29 @ Gimhae, South Korea
In their first game at the 2006 Peace Queen Cup, Lilly provides the U.S. with an important point with a clinical finish in the 73rd minute. Abby Wambach gets free down the left flank and lays a perfect ball back to Lilly at the top of the penalty area where the captain fires a first-time rocket into the upper left corner.

5. Kristine Lilly vs. Australia – Oct. 31 @ Cheonan, South Korea
Lilly creates her 115th goal almost out of nothing as she runs down a cross from Natasha Kai that flew through the penalty area and rolls outside the box on the left flank. She quickly squares up on her defender, beats her to the inside and unleashes a 14-yard blast with her right foot from a tight angle that soars just under the crossbar and slams into the back of the net.

6. Kristine Lilly vs. Canada – Nov. 4 @ Seoul, South Korea
Her third spectacular goal in less than a week, Lilly comes up with the game-winner against Canada in the championship match of the Peace Queen Cup. In three touches she receives the ball down the right flank, cuts back inside to lose her defender and unleashes a left-footed shot into the upper left corner from 14 yards out.


Best Performance (Player) - VOTE
This award goes to the one U.S. National Team player who took the team on his or her shoulders with an outstanding, if not dominating, individual performance.

1. Kristine Lilly vs. China – January 22 @ Guangzhou, China
In the championship match of the 2006 Four Nations Tournament in China, KRISTINE LILLY comes up big, turning in one of her best performance of the year to give the U.S. their fourth title in the Chinese event. Playing in her 302nd cap, the veteran scores both goals in the 2-0 victory and is named the best player and top scorer of the tournament.

2. Taylor Twellman vs. Norway – January 29 @ Carson, Calif.
Needing to showcase his abilities as a goal scorer, TAYLOR TWELLMAN doesn’t disappoint, registering a hat trick in a demolishing 5-0 victory over Norway. Twellman starts his scoring barrage with the opening goal in the fifth minute on a left-footed strike and follows up with headers in the 17th and 76th minutes.

3. Bobby Convey vs. Venezuela – May 28 @ Cleveland, Ohio
In the second Send-Off Series match for the U.S. MNT before they leave for Germany, BOBBY CONVEY demonstrates why he is a no-brainer to make the final roster with a Sierra Mist Man of the Match performance. The Reading FC midfielder starts in midfield and causes fits for Venezuela on the left wing, eventually delivering a well-placed cross for Brian Ching’s game-winning toe-poke goal.

4. Kasey Keller vs. Italy – June 17 @ Kaiserslautern, Germany
With just eight field players trying to keep track of the nine in blue shirts for most of the second half, KASEY KELLER comes up with a number of huge saves to keep the U.S. in position to earn a crucial point against Italy. Keller’s biggest saves come against Alessandro del Piero, first denying him in the 73rd minute with a trademark save, sprawling to his right to deny a point-blank flick and then punching away a long range attempt in the 79th minute.

5. Landon Donovan vs. Italy – June 17 @ Kaiserslautern, Germany
Despite being down a man, LANDON DONOVAN turns up the dial in the second half against Italy and leads his seven fellow field players into the attack instead of wilting under the tremendous pressure. With his energy almost totally sapped, Donovan makes timely, smart, darting runs into the Italy backline and helps the U.S. secure a vital point in their 1-1 draw.

6. Abby Wambach vs. Mexico – September 13 @ Rochester, N.Y.
Hometown hero ABBY WAMBACH provides her friends, family and neighbors with a display of impressive talent and unmatched intensity as she tallies two goals in a 3-1 victory over Mexico at the brand new PAETEC Park in Rochester, N.Y.


Best Performance (Team)  - VOTE
This award is for that match where a U.S. National Team played at the top of its game, rising to the occasion to deliver a memorable performance in 2006 – or even all-time.

1. U.S. WNT vs. China – January 22 @ Guangzhou, China
The U.S. WNT plays almost perfect in the 2-0 win over the hosts to earn their fourth Four Nations Tournament title. China needed just a draw to win the championship, but it was the U.S. that came out attacking and never stopped, getting both goals from captain Kristine Lilly.

2. U.S. MNT vs. Japan – February 10 @ San Francisco, Calif.
Clint Dempsey, Eddie Pope and Chris Klein knock a few balls into the net in the stadium Barry Bonds made famous for knocking another kind of ball out of the park, providing the U.S. with an impressive 3-2 victory over Japan.

3. U.S. MNT vs. Poland – March 1 @ Kaiserslautern, Germany
In one of the most visually entertaining matches, the U.S. battles a tough Poland squad, and a snow storm in the final 20 minutes, defeating the fellow World Cup finalist, 1-0, in front of thousands of U.S. military personnel from nearby Ramstein Air Force Base in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

4. U.S. WNT vs. France – March 13 @ Faro, Portugal
In their second match of the Algarve Cup, the U.S. WNT get a goal from captain Kristine Lilly in less than a minute and don’t look back as they go on to earn a clear 4-1 win against a quality France team that they had tied, 0-0, less than a month earlier.

5. U.S. WNT vs. Germany – March 15 @ Faro, Portugal
In the end, the U.S. WNT falls to current world champion Germany, but the spot kicks don’t tell the whole story as the U.S. dominates their European rival in the Algarve final, outshooting Germany 16-8. However, luck is not on their side as two shots hit the crossbar and a number of spectacular saves from Silke Rottenberg keep the U.S. off the scoreboard in regulation.

6. U.S. MNT vs. Italy – June 17 @ Kaiserslautern, Germany
A match for the ages, the U.S. goes down to nine men but still manages to outplay Italy in front of a pro-American crowd, coming away with a 1-1 draw against the eventual world champions, giving them a much needed point to stay alive for a chance to move on to the second round.


Best all_access Video  - VOTE
In this category you’re choosing the best behind-the-scenes all_access video segment that appeared on ussoccer.com in 2006. This is the video you've watched multiple times and e-mailed the link to your soccer buddies.

1. Hospital Visit in Kaiserslautern
U.S. MNT Manager Bruce Arena and eight players visit Landstuhl Regional Medical Hospital in Germany, the largest American hospital outside the United States which serves as the major definitive care facility for the U.S. troops currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

2. Keller Kastle
Kasey Keller provides a peek into his unique home – a castle, complete with a moat and everything. Located on a farm, Keller takes us on a tour of the castle’s twin towers, original gargoyle carvings, chapel and an indoor spa.

3. U-17s at River-Boca
During their month-long trip to Argentina, the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National team takes in one of the most exciting spectacles in all of soccer, the famed ‘Superclasico’ between rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors.

4. Beep Test
One of the most grueling physical tests the U.S. players go through, the “beep test,” isn’t for the faint of heart. While the goalkeepers wilt early, Landon Donovan and Frankie Hejduk battle it out for the top spot.

5. U-20 WNT Ball Trick Battle
Casey Nogueira and Tobin Heath show off their unbelievable juggling abilities as the two U-20 WNT teammates go head-to-head to see who would be crowned the best of the best.

6. Wambach at Home
Taking a break from preparations for her upcoming match against Mexico, Abby Wambach takes you to her house in Rochester to meet her family…her huge family.

7. JimmyJohn Production
During the World Cup in Germany, ussoccer.com lets John O’Brien and Jimmy Conrad take out a camera and roam the streets of Hamburg one night. The result is absolute hilarity.

8. Guess the Player
While trying to find out how well the locals in Hamburg know the players on the U.S. MNT, we find out that all those rumors are true – Germans really do love David Hasselhoff!

9. Jungle Noises
What happens when 19-year-old girls are cooped up on a bus for too long? They each begin to make animal noises as demonstrated on this definitely unique all_access video.

10. The Bruce & Drew Show
U.S. Soccer Superfan Drew Carey hangs out with manager Bruce Arena for a day in Cleveland and from Drew getting lost to Bruce throwing him passes with a soccer ball, the memorable moments keep coming and coming.

Best Action Photo  - VOTE
This award goes to the picture featured on ussoccer.com during the year that made you go, “How’d they get THAT shot?”

1. Gooch Pain
In a battle that happened during the opening match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu fights for the ball against Czech Republic forward Jan Koller, who screams in pain on a clash that was Koller’s last in the tournament.

2. On the Big Screen
As the row of photographers try to capture a picture of Landon Donovan in action against Poland, the big screen behind them provides a close-up shot of the MNT midfielder.

3. Keeper Covered
U-20 WNT midfielder Tina DiMartino giving instructions to her teammates as she stands next to the intimidating Chinese goalkeeper Zhang Yanru on a corner kick, coming up only to her shoulders.

4. Ping-pong Frimpong
U.S. defender Tina Frimpong goes airborne to win a header while Ireland’s Emma Byrne can only watch.

5. Ecstatic Response
The exuberance on Taylor Twellman’s face says it all after the forward scores his first goal of the year when he buries his left-footed shot into the right corner against Norway.

6. Scoring at You
The goal didn’t count due to an offside call during their game against Norway, but this shot of Clint Dempsey still counts as one of the best of 2006.

7. McBride Crunch
Our photographer caught Italy’s Daniele DiRossi’s right elbow into the face of Brian McBride, and luckily so did the official.

8. Snowed Out
Tim Howard stands alone in front of the U.S. goal during a snowstorm that enveloped the field while playing Poland in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

9. American Airlines
U.S. U-20 WNT forward Jessica Rostedt celebrates after scoring the winning goal against France in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship.

10. Fan Support
The U.S. is knocked out of the World Cup, but the fans showed defender Carlos Bocanegra what his effort on the field means to them as they give him a hug from the stands.


Best U.S. Fan Photo from World Cup  - VOTE
Our most unique award of the year, we’re letting you pick the best photo one of your fellow U.S. MNT fans took during the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

1. Flag Over Kaiserslautern
Nick Uchida provided this photo from his seat at Fritz-Walter-Stadion during the USA’s match against Italy in Kaiserslautern.

2. World Cup Road Trip
Ben Cohoon and his buddies from Lincoln, Neb., pose for a photo during their trip to Germany to cheer on the U.S. at the World Cup.

3. United in Germany
John Kerry and George Bush appear to unite in hopes of a U.S. victory before the first match against the Czech Republic in this picture provided by Fred Schwertfeger.

4. Uncle Sam and Elvis
Two Elvis impersonators bookend Uncle Sam (better known as Paul Moorman) as he calls for you to join the U.S. Soccer fans at a party on the streets of Gelsenkirchen before the team’s first match of the World Cup.

5. Cowboys and Patriots
Ever heard that Europeans can pick out Americans just by how they dress? Dave Geller and his friends make it pretty easy by dressing up in these outfits to cheer the U.S. on in Germany.

6. Covered in Red, White and Blue
Peg Manning and many other U.S. fans are covered by a gigantic U.S. flag in Gelsenkirchen as they cheer for the USA before their opening match of the World Cup.

7. Standing Tall
Tim Blanchard waves his American flag with pride as he prepares to cheer on the U.S. against Italy in K-Town.

8. Painted Pride
Navy man Robert Purdy wore a U.S. jersey, a U.S. flag, a wig and even painted his face red, white and blue to show as much national team pride as he could when he went to the U.S.-Ghana match.

9. Kids Play
Andy Seidl provided this picture of his sons, Kristoffer and Keegan, experiencing their first World Cup match in Kaiserslautern with a young Italian fan.

10. Cardboard Keller
Ben Mahler (left) and Kyle Sheldon wanted to get as close as they could to the U.S. team, so they figured they’d carry around this cardboard cutout of Kasey Keller throughout Germany.


Best Look/Style  - VOTE
This playful honor goes to the most stylish fashion statement or overall look we saw a U.S. National Team player don this year.

1. World Cup Suits and Sunglasses
The U.S. players dress to the nines in their Hugo Boss suits, but the capper is the simple addition of the black sunglasses.

2. Natasha Kai’s Tattoos
During her short time with the WNT, Natasha Kai has made her mark, but it’s the permanent marks on her body that got her into this category.

3. Dempsey Hoodie
While he looks good on the field scoring goals for the MNT, Clint Dempsey is also stylish off the field, wearing the red “Don’t Tread on Me” hoodie during his music video of a similar name.

4. Oguchi Onyewu’s Cornrows
He’s since shaved them off, but earlier in 2006, even if fans couldn’t pronounce his name they could at least point him out in a crowd due to his cornrows (and maybe his 6-4, 210 frame).

5. Red Hall of Fame Jackets
You don’t see it often, but wearing a red jacket is a look every current national team player wants to have at the end of their career. Alexi Lalas, Carla Overbeck and Al Trost wore them in style in 2006.

6. Leslie Osborne as a Fashion Model
U.S. WNT midfielder Leslie Osborne represents the team in a fashion show by a famous South Korean designer during the Peace Queen Cup, and she doesn’t disappoint with some stunning looks on the runway.

7. Neil Buethe’s Shoes
Studio 90 host Neil Buethe catches some flak for a few of his style choices, including his brown Cole Hahn shoes which a number of people think look like bowling shoes. We know you secretly want a pair.

8. U-20 WNT Russian Hats
While it wasn’t all that cold, the U.S. U-20 WNT players model their huge Russian hats they bought on a shopping excursion in Moscow during the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Championship.

9. Soccer Moms on WNT
While Joy Fawcett may have started the trend, Christie Rampone, Kate Markgraf and Tina Frimpong are taking the “soccer mom” look to another level as their little ones are always around on WNT trips.

10. Don’t Tread on Me Jerseys
The U.S. Men’s National Team heads to Germany in style, wearing Nike’s red “Don’t Tread on Me” jerseys in their final Send-Off Series match against Latvia in East Hartford.

Best Fan Atmosphere  - VOTE
The U.S. national team match – domestic or abroad – that had the best fan atmosphere in 2006 will earn this award. This is the game where you bragged to say you were there or are still kicking yourself for not laying down the dough for tickets.

1. U.S. MNT vs. Japan – Feb. 10 @ San Francisco, Calif.
The U.S. fans turn the famous San Fran baseball stadium into a rocking soccer atmosphere as more than 37,000 fill the water-side park. Instead of cheering for the occasional Barry Bonds homerun, the fans are treated to continuous action on the field that included three quality goals from the U.S. and a spirited comeback from the Japanese that is eventually squashed by the U.S. defense to give the Americans a 3-2 victory.

2. U.S. MNT vs. Poland – March 1 @ Kaiserslautern, Germany
Despite playing Poland in their neighboring country of Germany, it’s the U.S. that has the home-field advantage thanks to their fans. Truckloads of military personnel from nearby Ramstein Air Force Base pile into the stadium to shower the stands in red, white and blue, and even withstand a snowstorm in the final 20 minutes to cheer on the MNT to victory.

3. U.S. MNT vs. Latvia – May 28 @ East Hartford, Conn.
It is the last chance for fans to wish the U.S. MNT luck before the team heads over to Germany for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and an energetic crowd doesn’t disappoint. Almost 25,000 fans fill up the stadium in East Hartford and get to see Brian McBride score the game-winning goal in the 1-0 victory, followed by a firework show and a send-off video to provide the last hurrah.

4. U .S. MNT vs. Italy – June 17 @ Kaiserslautern, Germany
From the playing of “Born in the USA” before the match to the three red cards shown by the referee to the final whistle that solidifies a point, the U.S. fans out-cheer their Italian counterpoints to help the U.S. players dig deep and outplay the world champions at times despite being down a man for most of the second half.

5. U.S. MNT vs. Ghana – June 21 @ Nuremberg, Germany
The red, white and blue-clad fans make their way to Nuremberg and once again provide the U.S. with a fantastic atmosphere for their final group match against Ghana. After falling behind, the U.S. faithful are awarded for their emphatic support with a crushing one-timer from Clint Dempsey, allowing them to erupt with national pride – yelling, hugging, singing and dancing.

6. U.S. WNT vs. Mexico – Sept. 13 @ Rochester, N.Y.
Facing one of their biggest rivals, the U.S. fans come out in support of their hometown hero Abby Wambach and her teammates at the sparkling new PAETEC Park. Wambach doesn’t disappoint as the leader of the U.S. scores two goals to send her family, friends and neighbors home happy.