Chicago Fire's Greatest Goals

[HalaMadrid]

We'll sticky this one to give us something nice to talk about for awhile.

Nominate your personal 5 greatest Fire goals. Give as much info as you can about each. Don't concentrate on goals that were of great competitive importance necessarily (like Klopas' USOC 98 matchwinner or Ante's Game 3 MLS Cup semifinal goal in 2000 against Metro) but instead on just plain spectacular goals, scored by Fire players, in any competitive match (read: MLS League, MLS Cup, US Open Cup, Champions' Cup) over our entire history. I'll put together a list of the most-nominated and maybe some enterprising soul with the means might put a 'Greatest Fire Goals' movie download or videotape for us.
So, everyone, give us your best five.

[willydonc]

I'm not ready to name 5, but my favorite is Wolff volleying a 50 yard ball from Kubik out of the air into the far side netting against San Jose in '98. This was soon after Bergkamp's goal in the WC that outsed Argentina. That was the goal of the world cup (Blanco against Belgium was my pick). Wolff's goal was better.

[HalaMadrid]

Originally posted by willydonc
I'm not ready to name 5Hmm. I figured five would be easy. Three maybe? That's a good one though.

[Stogey23]

Wolff's volley has always been my favorite also. Can anyone find this? Anywhere?

Stoitchkov's bomb against DC was amazing.

Does anyone remember Ricthie Kotschau's header from the top of the penalty box?

Diego had an amazing goal against the Wizards one year.

The first goal against DC in the MLS Cup was as good of a team goal the Fire have ever scored.

This isn't my "official" list...just off the top of my head.

[Hax]

Stoitchkov has 3 that pops to mind:

1. his bomb against DC
2. his chip as time nearly expires against Colorado last summer
3. his blast against Metrostars in the playoffs, his "gone fishing" celebration still is one of my all-time favorites

[Disco Stu]

Razov had a scorcher of a free kick, a 35-40 yarder, against Colorado three seasons ago.

Stoichkov goal against Metrotarts that hit crossbar and bounced down against the post and into the back of the net. His "reeling in" of Zambrano celebration was fantastic.

Last season in the last regular game against Dallas, either Guttierez or Nowak made a great run down the left side and then took a shot near the sideline which beat the goalie.

[oman]

Darn, too bad this isn't The Five Greatest Goals in Fire History...

[genpabloescobar]

I know this one happened a couple of times, but my favorite "goal play" was when the Fire would take a CK, send the ball about 25 yards off the line, and Kubik would sprint in and nail the one-timer. He scored a couple like that. Those were awesome.

Dema's goal against the Rapids in the last home game was pretty sweet. Don't know if it's top 5, but certainlyt top ten.

[Iceblink]

1. Ante Razov v. Dallas in, I believe '99. Cracked the ball with his left foot and hit it for 35-40 yards to the upper left corner past an in-position Mark Dodd. Etcheverry's bomb v. an out-of-position keeper won goal of the year that year... beating out Razov's goal which was nominated as well.

2. Stoitchkov's blast v. DC in the freakin' horrible rain. I saw this one live.

3. Stoitchkov's goal v. NY/NJ in the playoffs in 2000. The pinball goal that hit the crossbar and the post before beating Ammann.

4. Jerzy Podbrozny had a goal... I don't even remember when it was... or against whom he scored it. He got the ball, knocked it into the air over some defender's head turned and volleyed it into the net.

5. Ritchie Kotschau's header... the one that was not an own goal... though the own goal was a good one as well. Picture perfect diving header into the wrong net.

6a. Nowak's loooooooong run followed by a goal v. KC.

6b. Nowak's loooooooong run followed by a goal v. Dallas. Both in 2001, I believe.

7. Evan Whitfield's looooooong run after intercepting a free kick attempt by Dallas. I'll never forget him running toward the goal with Matt Jordan running, uselessly, after him.

I know there are more... Kubik and Kosecki and Wolff scored some great ones.

[willydonc]

Here's my second. Podbrozny chipping Ian Feuer on a rain soaked field in '98. Not so much for what the Count did, but for Feuer flopping around in futility. To think, Feuer makes a living in English footy.

[pants on fire]

1. Stoichies bomb against DC in the rain. You could have hung your entire waredrobe on that rope.
2. Stoichies bomb in playoffs 2000. He rocked the goal with that one.
3. Kosecki's goal from east sideline in 1998. about 35 yards to goal from outside corner of the box. I still have that one on tape.
4. Wolff's volley vs. SJ. I still can't believe he did that and made it look too easy.
5.Wolff's freekick vs. Metros last Saturday. Perfectly placed and makes you wonder why we've had other people taking all of the kicks from that side of the field.

[redzin]

Originally posted by genpabloescobar
Dema's goal against the Rapids in the last home game was pretty sweet. Don't know if it's top 5, but certainlyt top ten.

I'd put this one in the top 5. He got ALL OF IT. It was Sosa-like.

[quarterUltra]

7/4/2001 vs. KC

Hristo's goal that was meant to be an easy save for Bo. The expression on Hristo's face when Bo missed it and it went it was priceless.

[kebzach]

memorable ones I've seen in my 3 years following the Fire, in no particular order:

1. 4/14/01- Kovalenko free kick to Boca who heads it back across the goal to Wolff...cold evening, loud crowd, 2 2nd half goals with this being the first one, that all combined to make that night stick out in my head.

2. 8/11/01- Eric Wynalda header assisted by Nowak-- from my seat in Section 13, I could hear Nowak and Wynalda talk in German right before the free kick was taken, so I knew something was up between them. Sure enough...

3. 7/24/01- Kovalenko volley in Wheaton against Pittsburgh. The Magee goal is memorable too, because of the OT winning factor and the celebration that ensued.

4. 7/21/01- Wynalda OT winner, I had my high school team up at this game and they went absolutely nuts after Wynalda put that Stoitchkov cross away.

5. Wolff's free kick last Saturday. You could also put the 4/28/01 free kick in there.

And why does it seem that I can't remember any memorable goals from the 2000 season other than ones already mentioned?

[Iceblink]

Originally posted by kebzach


3. 7/24/01 - The Magee goal is memorable too, because of the OT winning factor and the celebration that ensued.



Not to mention the weird diving chicken-chest move that sent it into the net.

[Iceblink]

Originally posted by willydonc
To think, Feuer makes a living in English footy.

Not only that... but, oddly enough, Feuer and Jeff Cassar are on trial with Ipswich at the moment.

I honestly don't get it. I never thought either of them was anything more than a mediocre keeper.

[backburner]

Time for the way back machine:

Free kicks (not necessarily in order):
1)Exhibition against Legia Warsaw--possible it was Derby ('99?). Jerzy stands over ball from about 25yds out, right of the "D". Points toward the far end of the wall as if complaing to ref while simultaneously back heeling the ball to an onrushing Razov who rifles the kick into the upper right corner.

2)Open Cup semi against Dallas '98. Fire down a man. 2-2. Kubik takes kick from about 30 yards, closer to right sideline then to middle of field. Bends a wicked low blast through traffic into the far corner.

3) Wolff last year against TB. 19 yards out. Center of "D". Brilliant viscious bender, over the wall, into top left corner. You will never see a more perfect one, not from Beckham, not from Del Piero. (Didn't see last weekend's, but clearly Josh has a hidden talent).

4) Hristo against DC ('00). nuff said

5) Kubik against Tampa. I think in '99. Fire down a man, after coming back to tie. Late in game, Kubik fires one in from about 30 yards. A bomb that just catches the top left corner.

6) CCC cup in Vegas ('99?). Consolation game vs DC. Fire down 0-2 at half, Ante enters game and Fire rallies back for one. A bit later, Free kick from about 20-25 at a pretty severe angle near the top left corner of box. Ante insists on taking kick practically pushing Dema out of the way. Ante starts motioning to his players jockeying for position inthe box. Looks to everyone like he;s going to curl it in to the back post. Inside he smacks in directly just inside the near post. Great misdirection, very difficult angle.


From the run of play:

1) Check out the Fire's 4-1 win over Dallas in Chicago in '98. Two or 3 brilliant goals in that one (including if I remeber correctly a 40 yard bomb by the Burn's Brian? Haynes). Best Fire goal starts with a 70 bomb form Kubik to Kosecki deep on the left edge of the box. Roman back heels it to Jerzy who balst it in from just outside the box. 1-2-3. Bam.

2) A few games later Kubik scores the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Dallas. Kubik starts the play dribbling 2 or 3 guys at the top left of the D, plays a quick 1-2 with Jerzy to get through some heavy traffic and just as the defense looks to have him trapped, he deftly chips the ball, first time, into the top left corner over a shocked Dallas keeper.

3). I loved Wolff's volley from Kubik's diagonal ball to beat SJ in '98. Just as good was an almost identical play the following year, at Dallas to tie the game at 3 with literally 20 seconds on the clock.

4)Regular season in Mia in '99 or '00. Ante hat trick. Ante makes long pass from left to right, runs about 30 yards to get on the end of the longest give and go in history, and scores on a diving header.

5) Regular season vs TB in Chi ('00?) Ante scores on a diving header from about a yard out as he beats the keeper to a near post cross. Severe angle in tremendous traffic.


I'm sure there are more. Some Nowak 70 yard breakaways. Kosecki from from a severe angle vs KC? in '98. Loved the Kubik volley from top of "D" off the corner kick. Ante's 40 yard bomb against Dallas in Dallas. Diego's weaving run last year(or was it '00) vs KC in regular season.


Hey, this is fun.

[UltraCinek]

Well, a couple notes first:

Wolff's goal against Tampa Bay last year was far more perfect than the one against the Metros last week;

Thank you, backburner, for mentioning Kubik's free kicks, as I already thought nobody remembered them anymore;

Razov's diving header was against Miami on May 6th, 2000.

Here is my list:

1. Kubik's free kick from 35 yards out against Rapids on 05/03/00. Best of Kubik's free kicks for the Fire--forgotten because we lost this game 1:2. The ball went over the wall and then it was spun expertly in such a way that it immediately began a wicked downward dive and, therefore, ended up right below the crossbar. This goal was only possible thanks to the newer, synthetic material balls. Try it with an old, heavy, leather ball and it will end up 10 yards over the crossbar.

2. Nowak's 70+ yard run and goal when he beat Fat Meola in 2001 at SF. I timed Nowak and he ran 60 yards in less than 7 seconds WITH THE BALL.

3. Stoitchkov's "pinball" goal--an interesting thing would be describing all of the kinetics of the ball and determining why it ever entered the goal (the dynamics probably said that if the ball was a just little heavier, the woodwork would simply break).

4. One more strange goal: by Nowak from a short corner by Stoitchkov. He scored from such an incredibly sharp angle that I still don't get how it was possible after seeing 15 replays.

5. Stoitchkov's free kick against DC--an MLS classic--already.

An extra award goes to all of the goals scored against KC at their stadium last year, especially Stoitchkov's which seemed to be passes to Bo but their were not.

[Chris M.]

I think Jerzy's goal at MLS Cup 98 deserves mention. I believe nine field players were involved in the build up including that sweet give and go between Ante and Peter. One of the best team goals I can remember.

My list would include the two Stoitchkov goals, the Lubos free kick (thanks for the reminder) and Wolff's 2001 free kick.

I wish I had seen Dema's goal against Morelia as I heard it was a classic.

[gascan13]

All I know is Wolff's free kick last Saturday has to be on the list. My jaw was on the floor. When the announcer said that he thought he was going to shoot, I said out loud to myself, "Don't Josh, that's Tim Howard." And WOW was I wrong.