For many, 2016 will be remembered as a year of loss. For all the remarkable gains, achievements and creations that sprung from 2016, it’s often the hurt derived from defeats and casualties that reverberates most poignantly. Here are 10 things we’ve lost in football over the course of 2016.
Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard look to have once combined. Once.
With Steven Gerrard announcing his retirement from football on November 24 and Frank Lampard, 38, currently without a club following his stint with New York City FC, it’s safe to say that we’ve seen the end of the careers of two players that combined to forge one of the most perplexing tactical conundrums in modern football.
Two of the most talented midfielders of their generation, Gerrard and Lampard formed a disastrous international midfield pairing that, try as numerous managers might, never ever clicked for England. Even now, with both players done, it must be tempting for Gareth Southgate to give it one more try.
Bob Bradley didn't find success at Swansea City.
Well, s***. That didn’t last long, did it? It lasted all of 11 matches to be exact. As Americans enjoying the Special Relationship, we love consuming the Premier League — it’s the Best League in the World (TM). To have an American managing in it was a gloriously short-lived aberration that presented our “PK” and “road game” knowledge to our friends in England and Wales.
After compiling a win percentage of 18.18, it may be, like the Chicago Cubs, around 108 years until we see another American c̶o̶a̶c̶h̶ GAFFER in the Premier League.
Look at THAT resume.
After a romantic return to the club he played at for four years, Pards had a hugely successful 2015 with the club and led them to the FA Cup final. However, a run of just six wins in 36 matches throughout the calendar year of 2016 saw Alan ultimately “pardewed” himself.
"We shouldn't have eye-balled this one."
It started with Copa America Centenario organizers playing the Chilean anthem for Uruguay and ended with the Montreal Impact failing to correctly measure the dimensions of the 18-yard box. Absolutely nothing is a given anymore.
Sevilla hoist the Sevilla Cup.
After winning back-to-back-to-back Europa League finals, the competition had become affectionately known as the Sevilla Cup. However, after finishing in second-place in their 2016-17 Champions League group, they ensured a round of 16 encounter with Leicester City. Losing in the round of 16 means your simply bounced from European competition, so the Sevilla Cup will belong to someone other than Sevillistas in 2017.
Rafa Marquez lifted Mexico to victory over the USA.
Following four straight 2-0 victories for the USA in World Cup qualifying at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Mexico finally snapped the streak with a 2-1 victory. What you need to know about that match is: Rafa Marquez.
Heather O'Reilly
The winner of three Olympic gold medals (2004, 08, 12), one FIFA Women’s World Cup (2015) and the 2015 NWSL Championship, O’Reilly announced her international retirement after collecting 231 caps and 47 goals.
Copa Sudamericana champions, Chapecoense
R.I.P. Johan Cruyff
