MLSsoccer.com polled 20 of our editors, writers, videographers and statistics specialiststo bring you the Best of 2012, running Dec. 17 through Jan. 2. Each day we'll hand out an award in a variety of categories culled from the storylines of MLS and US international players, including Biggest Controversy, Breakout Player of the Year and, via fan vote revealed on Dec. 31, the Moment of the Year.
Todaywe take a look at the Quotes of the Year, compiled throughout 2012 from some of the best minds – and mouths – in MLS and US Soccer.
“Maybe in layman's terms, that may be what it is. Could be a boo-boo on his knee. ... We're hopeful it's nothing serious, and we're optimistic.” – LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, on Landon Donovan's knee injury in October
“If we walk in and we’ve got our flip-flops and sandals on, and our pink shirts and white pants on, then everyone thinks it’s their turn to up and have a fun day.” – Former Portland Timbers head coach John Spencer, before the Timbers' loss to Cal FC in the US Open Cup in May
“I’m not a wine connoisseur, but I know what good wine tastes like. When I sipped the wine recently, it didn’t taste so good.” – Philadelphia Union president Nick Sakiewicz, after head coach Peter Nowak (right) was fired, June 13
“It’s pretty damn embarrassing. This is the toughest stretch I’ve ever been on as a soccer player." Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens, after 2-1 home loss to FC Dallas on July 14
“Whoever scheduled the game in Houston at 2 pm in the afternoon doesn’t know anything about the game.” – LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, after the Galaxy’s loss to Houston on May 26
“Being very frank, I think US Soccer is trying to make it difficult for us to win an Open Cup. It's almost like sometimes I get the feeling like they'd rather not see us win it again, for whatever reasons.” – Seattle Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid, June 4
“Between this [and the past injuries], my modeling career is shot,” – San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch, after getting a black eye against the LA Galaxy on June 30
“Normally if I only got three touches on the ball, I’d be upset. But those were the best three touches of my life.” – Seattle Sounders midfielder Steve Zakuani, after his return on July 7
“We’re setting a record of the worst team in the world, man, and it’s painful. What can I say more? It’s just the worst ever." – Toronto FC forward Danny Koevermans (above), May 19
“I have a different opinion. I think my team is the best in the world. It’s as simple as that. I talk to Danny, he’s one of my best mates on the team, but I don’t agree.” – Toronto FC goalkeeper Milos Kocic, May 21
“I think the whole construction of the schedule this year with an unbalanced schedule is stupid. Absolutely stupid. To have a Supporters' Shield for that, it's stupid. I don't know how that ever got through, but I can tell you that most people think it's stupid.” – LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, Aug. 10
“It’s something that you learn that the year is long and sometimes it takes skill, sometimes it takes guts, sometimes it takes a little witchcraft, but we figured it out somehow tonight and got three.” – Rapids midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, after a 3-2 win over Montreal on May 27
"I think we all knew what [Tauro] was going to try to do when they came here – sit back, fall down. And you know, their trainer probably ran more than their players.” – Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando on RSL’s CCL win, Aug. 21
"My first reaction when I got the phone call – and he didn't tell me who I got traded for – was, 'wow, I get to play with Shalrie.” – New England Revolution midfielder Blair Gavin, after he was traded for Shalrie Joseph on Aug. 1
“It’s been a career’s worth of frustrating moments and disappointing moments in three-quarters of a season, or even half a season. I can’t even really describe how disappointing and embarrassed and just plain pissed off I am about the way things have gone.” – Defender Danny Califf (right), on playing for Chivas USA, Oct. 2
"I think we need to get an edge – more nastier. Maybe we’re a little bit too naïve. Maybe we don’t want to hurt people. But that’s what you’ve got to do.” – US national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, after a 4-1 loss to Brazil, May 31
"When you play Real Madrid, it doesn't get old at all. Even though we've played them a couple times, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” – LA Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee, after facing Real Madrid on Aug. 2
“You can’t give that much room to Kandji. Kandji controlled the ball on his chest, step on it, look, see if someone was in the stands, take a coffee, turn, call his family, no one was answering, left a message, and then thought, 'Oh, I might cross the ball.' He crossed it and they scored. You can’t win a game of football when you play like that. I’m not attacking anyone, but that was the fact.” – New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry, following a 2-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo, Aug. 3
“People work nine-to-five [jobs], I wouldn’t want to be doing that so I’m happy to be flying around the world playing football matches in different places. I’m not complaining.” – Toronto FC defender Darren O'Dea, after his MLS debut, Aug. 18
“I think there was better grass in the stands than there was on the field.” – USMNT striker Herculez Gomez, after the US’ 2-1 loss to Jamaica in Kingston, Sept. 7
“Goonies never say die." – San Jose Earthquakes forward Steven Lenhart, following a dramatic 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy, May 24
“He's happy because he's out of wherever the hell he was. He thought he was in China. He's not sure exactly where he was. I don't even know where [Kazakhstan] is.” – LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, on Robbie Keane’s return from Ireland duty vs. Kazakhstan in July
“I’ll never forget the words of [current TFC manager] Paul Mariner saying that he wants to make sure he’ll send me to a last-place team and let me burn in the heat. It worked out for myself, getting the last laugh, the karma of things. Right now who’s the last place team in the league and who’s battling for the playoffs?” – former Toronto and FC Dallas midfielder Julian de Guzman, Sept. 15
“The pinnacle for me at Sporting Kansas City would not necessarily be looking out and us winning MLS Cup with Messi on the field. It would be watching us win MLS Cup with six or seven kids that grew up in Kansas City, came up in our club and were dominant players in our league. That would mean a lot more to me, and that’s what Peter’s about, too. We’re committed to having a 5-year-old kid today being a 20-year-old star tomorrow.” – Sporting Kansas City owner Robb Heinemann, Sept. 20
“I'm fit. I'm ready to get back out there and smash people.” – Sporting Kansas City defender Aurélien Collin (right), Oct. 11
"It's surreal. It's massive. I've dreamt of it every night and now it's here." – Columbus Crew homegrown signing Wil Trapp, Dec. 13
“I’m moving on, I was not happy in the short term with those games, but now I’ve put it past me, I’m looking for greater things in life. I had a grandchild born, we’re in the middle of a heated Presidential election, [the US] lost a difficult Ryder Cup, the Yankees are hanging on for life so really I don’t give two [expletiive] about the last time that we played San Jose.” – LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, Oct. 18
