Top 5 soccer stories of 2012

Beyond the wins and losses, the improbable comebacks, fantastic goals and dragged-out transfer sagas, 2012 proved to be a year in which harsher realities pulled world soccer out of its cocoon of sport.

Incidents of racism and homophobia and even of life and death received increased scrutiny and concern throughout the year. And as fan culture remains intense and divisive, this reminder of perspective should be seen as a positive and a harbinger of growth.

Of course, there was also a lot of entertaining and record-breaking football, as well. These are the five top stories of 2012. — By Brooks Peck

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4. The U.S. women's national team wins Olympic gold — Some of the most entertaining moments of the 2012 Olympic Games came from the U.S. women's soccer team. The come-from-behind wins, the controversial semifinal battle against a tenacious Canadian team and the revenge against Japan in the final after the shootout that ended the Women's World Cup in 2011 — it all combined to continue the growth of women's soccer and cement the likes of Abby ... more
4. The U.S. women's national team wins Olympic gold — Some of the most entertaining moments of the 2012 Olympic Games came from the U.S. women's soccer team. The come-from-behind wins, the controversial semifinal battle against a tenacious Canadian team and the revenge against Japan in the final after the shootout that ended the Women's World Cup in 2011 — it all combined to continue the growth of women's soccer and cement the likes of Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and Hope Solo as international stars. And the effects of this success could be far reaching with the lengthy victory tour across the U.S. that followed and the announcement of a third try at a professional women's league in the States. less