Photo by Stephen Brashear/ISIphotos.com
There were a number of spectacular goals in MLS Week 13, and on any given week, the efforts by Brek Shea, Alan Gordon and Osvaldo Alonso, among others, might be in the running for Goal of the Week.
This past week, though, two strikes stood out above all others.
Vancouver Whitecaps Designated Player Eric Hassli's incredible volley not only shockingly leveled the score in response to Seattle's two quick goals in Vancouver's 2-2 draw with the Sounders, but the degree of difficulty was extremely high and he displayed tremendous technique and concentration to find the left upper 90 from the right end of the penalty area.
Sporting Kansas City's Graham Zusi, on the other hand, demonstrated pinpoint accuracy from an extreme distance, catching veteran goalkeeper Kevin Hartman off his line and drilling a free kick from 45 yards in SKC's surprising 4-1 rout of FC Dallas, which had been unbeaten in nine matches.
In your opinion, which goal was better? Watch both and cast your vote after the jump:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv82TESa5WM]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkSj5GCL4nE]
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How did you vote? Which goal stood out more for you? What did you think about some of the other top-notch goals in Week 13?
Share your thoughts below.
The most amazing thing about Hassli’s goal is – how many players would have even thought about attempting that shot and of those, how many would have felt htey had the ability to even remotely pull it off. If Hassli had missed the goal by 10 yards people would have said “what an idiot to give away the ball” but he didn’t miss and you can only be in awe of the audacity to even try it, and the skill to get it anywhere on goal. Luck put it into the farthest corner where it couldn’t be touched.
Hassli is ballsy but backs it up with stuff like. Wow.
Zusi didn’t see Hartman off his line. Davy Arnaud did and whispered for Zusi to take the shot as he walked by.
A veteran move by Arnaud – Cool to put that kind of belief in your teammate’s abilities, and Zusi responded.
Hasli’s goal kasey keller could do nothing about, Zusi’s goal was hartman’s fault
Yeah, but these ere comically bad. Not even remotely forced.
If you’re suggesting that Hassli didn’t aim to strike the ball off the post and in — then, yes it was luck. However, there’s no doubt that he did try to send it over Keller’s reach and into the far end of the goal.
So your argument is that Hassli’s goal was not a great goal because it went in. Nice!
Let’s ease up on FCD fans for this day. The city’s NBA team was winning their first championship at the same time. Once in a lifetime v. another hot Sunday late afternoon game.
Maybe not worldwide, but it was featured on Youtube I believe. So it did get a lot of attention.
Hassli, and it’s not even close. Sorry, Zusi- any other week, you’d win. You just happened to go up against one of the best goals ever.
Any word on what hassli’s did on sportcenter top ten? I heard it was up for the best of the best? Of course, I wouldn’t be surprised if the guys looked it over for another baseball play…
Not quite sure robbed is the right word, I would say took a gift off a bad touch from Alonso.
I don’t think it shut Seattle fans up, because we can say a world class shot tied the match. If that is the way you are going to lose a lead then so be it. Much rather have it that way then some dumb decision by the ref.
How did Portland’s last home game go, you tell me which is worse.
World wide news?
“his decision wasn’t the best, but the result certainly was.”
Although the result was perfect in this circumstance, as you said his decision was a mistake. You are being too results-oriented. The goal is more than just the result. Although the goal is more fun to watch, Zusi’s shot is a better goal. I’m not going to praise a mistake that ended with some flashy luck.
I think the thought process is part of what makes a truly great goal. How many times does Messi tap in after weaving through a defense? The “shot” is incredbily easy, but the goal is incredibly difficult because the thought required to get to the easy shot combines with the ability to get there. I’d rank Hassli’s goal high on ability because of the touches involved and pretty low on thought, because it was basically a prayer from where he took it and almost certainly not his best option.
Yes, you are the only one.
Agreed, Dan, which is why I rate Agudelo’s goal higher than Hassli’s also. Hassli’s result was outstanding, but his decision making was questionable.
Yea, but… it was against KC’s defense.
Alan Gordon’s shot, I think, might even be better than or as good as Zusi’s.
Hassli’s decision wasn’t the best, but the result certainly was. You won’t hear a coach chew a player out because he made a bad decision that resulted in an amazing goal. The debate is over which goal was better, not which decision or thought process was better. Selfishness breeds good strikers.
Good for him. Still was incredible.
I agree – the moment of Hassli’s strike makes it better. Just shutting up those S**ttle fans make it even more glorious. …and to think he also robbed the ball off the player who though he had JUST scored the winning goal!
Zusi’s was luck, too. How many times is a goalie as good as Hartman caught off his line like a moron? Hassli’s was intentional, skillful, and how can you not like the guy? He’s such an amazing bastard. Cantona-esque.
Cap him now!
Lol.
I don’t know much about FC Dallas or Texas in general, but isn’t PHP quite far from Dallas? I guess Texas is huge so driving that much might not be unfamiliar.
Give me Shea’s goal over both of these, much more skill beating half the team on a slalom run. All three are awesome, I just like the maze-y dribble goals more than long bombs.