There is little doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic dominated the news and sports this year in so many ways.

Yet, soccer, local, regional, national and international, eventually found a way to start up again, although not always in the “normal” way.

On Monday, Dec. 21, FrontRowSoccer.com will start its annual countdown of the top 10 soccer stories locally and internationally.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.