Nov 17, 2011

Portland Timbers Midfielder Darlington Nagbe Wins 2011 AT&T MLS Goal Of The Year |

Portland Timbers Midfielder Darlington Nagbe Wins 2011 AT&T MLS Goal Of The Year

Let's face it, there was some sick competition for the MLS Goal of the Year this year. Everything from long range bombs (I am looking at you Adam Moffet and Graham Zusi) to end to end solo runs (Andy Najar) to just wonderful creative (yeah Juan Adugelo's ridiculous volley against DC United), it was amazing some of this year's goals.

But the competition really boiled down to to volleys. Nagbe's juggling, upper left blast and Eric Hassli's turn and volley.

In the end, it is Nagbe's juggling volley that nabs the honors.

But first, I need to talk about Eric Hassli's candidate. Hassli makes a wonderful strike, but when you really look at it, it is something of a hopeful ball. Yes, the turn is wonderful and it takes a great deal of skill to make that turn and get the ball anywhere close to on frame. But you have to wonder, was it really what he intended to do? I am not sure.

But for Nagbe, there was never any doubt what he was looking to do, strike the ball with venom, put it on frame and beat Jimmy Nielsen. That is exactly what he did and it was beautiful: a moment of sheer brilliance and a delight to watch.

So congratulations to Darlington Nagbe--it was well deserved.



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