The threads about the 1997 and 1999 sides got me thinking about a goal Chris Henderson (I believe) scored from well outside the box on the left side when he was with the Rapids the first time. A long well-driven diving/looping shot over an out-of-position Garlick (I believe). Anyone remember the year on this? That made me think of the goal that Felipe scored in the 0-1 loss to Vasco. And then Hristo's 40-yard bomb in the 3-2 thriller in 2001(?). Which ones am I forgetting? Anyone else think one of these was the best goal in the 7 years of home United matches? Quality, not importance.
Marco's goal of the year in '97 when he dribbled past four defenders in the box. Still amazed every time I see it.
Was the goal Gori scored when he snuck up on the GK (Hartmann?) at RFK? Tony Sanneh (I think) equalizing late v. Leeds in the rare international club friendly that looked like both teams cared.
Best Goal DCU vs Vasco de Gamma Forgot the guys name but (I belive) poor clear by DC resulted in giveaway just inside their own half. This guy had a give an go with a teammate and blew a ball from about 35-40 yards out past Presthus. Increadble shot. Quote from Presthus "This was the hardest shot I have seen in the run of play" Second had to be Hristo's direct kick against us. Best part was the salute after he scored.
Marco's deadball against Chicago in the opener last year was a thing of beauty. It made it seem like he was back and hungry, much like he seemed in the opener this year.
Re: Best Goal Some of my favorites: Balboa's rocket in 1998. We were still celebrating a goal of our own (I think it was Richie, of all people) when he caught us napping and shot from about 35. Marco's free kick against Columbus in Game 3 of 1999. Quality and importance rolled into one. Conteh's second against New England in the 5-0 game in 2001. Two perfectly executed give-and-gos between Convey and Moreno, then Convey and Pope. Incredibly pretty passing.
Re: Best Goal Felipe, right?? Some goal there. One I will never forget is Richies header own goal against Columbus in the 89th minute.
Hristo's free kick was just amazing. I was sitting right behind the goal and the ball's speed was just unbelievable. Although it wasn't a DCU match anyone remember Wim Jonk's goal in WC94 game between Netherlands and Saudi Arabia? That has to be my favorite RFK goal of all time.
how about pele's goal against the fire? No i think my favorite goal at rfk would have to be Ben's goal against El Salvador. I know it isnt a dcu match but it is a dcu player. That header, despite being a pretty normal header, it was great to see Ben back and playing. I love that guy.
Best goal...hmmm....tough...I'm thinking any goal scored for the benefit of DC United is a great ********************* goal! Although for emotional content, I really enjoyed the Lassiter bicycle vs. Columbus sCrew in Game 3 of the 1999 playoffs. Or Ben Olsen's winner in stoppage time vs. Chicago the next season!
That's my all time favorite. Wasn't that the Hristo game, too? Other notables: Sanneh's against Leeds. Mais's goal in the downpour against Columbus.....I couldn't actually see it due the rain, but I imagine it well.
Good, my grey matter still works. That was probably one of the best DC United games ever. Downpour, cold, dramatic win. David Hayes spotted me in a WaWa after the game and thanked me for standing in the weather.
My favorite was Etch's a few years back (can't remember the opponent). He had the ball about 30-35 yards out and obviously wanted to pass it. He looked left and found nobody, looked right and found nobody, so he actually shrugged his shoulders as if to say "what else is there to do but shoot" and ripped a worm-decapitating shot that never rose above an inch off the grass all the way to the back of the net. As for my best ever at RFK (preDCU): First, Cruyff (when he played with the Aztecs in the NASL) taking the ball at his own 18 and dribbling through the entire Diplomat team to slot home the winning goal in the 90th minute. A Saudi midfiielder did almost the same thing to the opposite goal in a WC match against Belgium in '94. I saw them both.
Marco's wormburner: nicely hit, but also bad keeping. Olsen v the Fire, Sanneh v Leeds and Convey v LA: not great strikes, just exciting. I'd forgotten the one where Marco dribbled through four defenders, very nice. Any other great goals? Anyone remember the Henderson strike year?
Lassiter's bike Sanneh's header in the 97 Cup final Stoichkov Olsen for excitement Moreno's first against Metro last year where he made Jolley fall over, great pass from Reyes
Although not the best goals, I thought RFK's roof would cave in when Jamie and Tony scored in MLS Cup 97. It was unbelievable atmosphere in the rain with a full house. I would just love to have another experience like that again.
There was a goal in I think season 2 against NE that had like 5 one touch passes in and around the 18 which ended in a goal. It was a great goal in that the passing ability displayed on it was first class and it involved so many players. Easily the best "team" goal ever seen in MLS play.
It's not going to show up on a pretty goals list, but I can still see Diaz Arce chipping Campos for the first ever home goal for the Black and Red. The place went naked as the ball was flighted and settled into the goal.
Here's my list (already encompassed within yours) 1. Felipe's goal against us in the Inter-America Cup: I think it's a shame that most people weren't there to see it. 2. Marco's Goal of the Year: I got flashes of it when he posterized Conrad last week 3. Hristo's Freekick Bomb: The best goal in a great game. I was behind the goal for that one and the speed and power were amazing. 4. 5-Touches, Conteh finish: That's the goal vs. NE that was refered too above. Nice team play in an otherwise crappy season. 5. Lassiter's Half-Bike: I must admit, I'm influenced because it was the nail in the coffin to send us to the Cup, but still, inventive from a always rather pedestrian Rocket Roy.
The "other" Ramos, who played for Tampa in 2000 had an absolutely stunning goal at RFK. One of the farthest away that I have ever seen at RFK...even longer than Stoichkov's. Aunger had a beauty back in 2001 (?) from way out, also. Funny thing was that after he scored, the team polished his boot...very, very funny moment. Denton's bomb, as mentioned, was one of the greatest solo goals by a DC player that I remember...he strode with the ball up the field and shot from an improbable distance. Lassiter scored a few nice ones (the bike...as noted), my favorite was the one where he one-timed a Marco corner. It was sort of a scissor/side volley that sliced into the side netting. Beautiful shot. John Harkes scored two absolutely stunning goals in the same game in 1998. On Lassiter's debut (against San Jose), Harkes stole the show. His first goal that night was a volley from 25 to 30 yards off a give and go with Peay. John hit it with the outside of his boot and bent a beautiful, looping ball into the corner. Absolutely wonderful goal...shockingly well placed. His second was also a highlight, cranked a freekick from 20 yards...just a "cracking" shot. Finally, Marco's free kick goal in 1998 against KC (top two teams playing late in the season) was phenomenal. I don't know how to describe it well...from near the corner, outside the box, he bent a high free in over the keeper (Amman?) into the upper corner. It truly was a remarkable goal. Cheers, Tim
I remember he had a left-footed goal in 1999. We voted it Goal Of The Month in the Nest Liner. Followed by The Nest singing "F--- Steve Sampson" for something like five minutes...