CREDIT: TORONTO STAR
Diana Matheson came through late for Canada this summer for the bronze, just a bit too late.

This year will go down as an important year in the history of soccer in this country. Not only was it the Canadian Soccer Association's 100th anniversary, it also held one of the biggest accomplishments by a national team ever, while domestically, there were now three top-flight clubs in the country playing some of the best soccer seen here since the days of the North American Soccer League in the '70s and '80s.

However, the women's national team felt they could have achieved more at the London Olympic games, and the oldest MLS team in Canada, with arguably the biggest fan base, started to look like the worst team in the world.

The Canadian Women's National Team held Canada's attention at a time when there were so many athletes vying for it. The semi-final versus the United States drew some of the biggest TV audiences and Twitter activity of the entire Olympic Games — a powerful statement that only cements what soccer now means here. Canada could have been robbed of that win, they could have beat the U.S. for only the fourth time in 52 chances, the goals stand and will for the rest of time.

Canada was full of 'could have,' while they couldn't see what was already done. A whole other Christine Sinclair could have been turned on to soccer that day, and who might help the program in the future. The attention they received only showed what we can expect when the Women's World Cup is played here in 2015.

A silver lining may be hard for some Toronto FC fans to find this season. In fact, the clouds are as dark as they were at their home opener in March. They lost 3-0 that game against the San Jose Earthquakes, and they have had one of the worst seasons in Major League Soccer history.

Danny Koevermans' infamous claim that the team was the worst in the world soon turned to be incredibly close to fact, as fewer and fewer are returning to BMO Field for each home game. TFC has shown mismanagement to such an extent that this writer simply doesn't feel the need to write about it. The lack of consistency in what should be Canada's team (Canadian champions four years running) has led to a decline in the stature of the club to the point few players want to play for the side.

The interest has not waned in both Vancouver and Montreal, though, as both teams are in the hunt for playoff spots and very reputable seasons. The attendance has grown and so have fan bases in both sides of the country.

This summer may have been one of heartbreak for Canada, but just like any breakup, you tell yourself you'll find someone better later.