Goal of the Week Nominations Arnaud, Donovan, Glen, Kovalenko, Vaca? IMHO: 1. Vaca (what a strike from around 35 yards out-possibly a top 10 for GOTY) 2. Kovalenko (a well placed and powerful header near-post) 3. Donovan (shows great control and strikes a very nice shot past Walker) 4. Arnaud (nice job turning around Gray, hard strike high and tight) 5. Glen (a nice touch past Onstad)
There were some fantastic strikes this weekend, and maybe there was an "embarassment of riches." But, I can't see why Ruiz effort v. Dallas is not even nominated. I can't say it was necessarily better that all those that were, but it should have been in the running. In some ways it was the most difficult single effort of the lot.
I take this back. I just checked out the Glen goal again and I definetly didn't catch that his "tap in" was a behind-the-back flick of sorts. A great goal that needs to be watched several times and slowed down to truly appreciate. My apologies to Mr. Glen. A fantastic goal (possibly a top 10 for GOTY as well)...that being said, Vaca's eeeeeeek'd out the number 1 spot. 1. Vaca 2. Glen 3. Kovalenko 4. Donovan 5. Arnuad
[My apologies ahead of time, this is going to sound like a rant, but I just have to say this.] Just cause Ruiz hits a decent goal, doesn't mean it should automatically be up for Goal of the Week (this is how Galaxy fans tend to come across-I'm reminded of Ruiz's bicycle last year that finished third in the voting for GOTY and it shouldn't have even made the top 10). I have no doubt it was nice, but when Arnaud's strike is the least spectacular of the nominated bunch (in my opinion)...an "effort" just isn't gonna cut it.
Funny, I was just about to give you some grief for that description. Not sure why they don't call it a back-heel flick on the site -- would certainly help. That goal was amazing. When it's as close as it is this week, I like to think about how any times I've seen a certain type of goal scored... Glen's goal is pretty remarkable, and not something you see very often. Vaca's strike is awesome, but perhaps not as unique. Splitting hairs, as both are pretty awesome.
Glen's goal is my pick, not just for the spectacular back flick, but also for the move and pass by Eddie Gaven to set it up and for the fact that it completed a 5-5 draw. You haven't lived until you've watched a 5-5 draw. They mentioned it on the broadcast, but its the first time all year I've missed overtime.
I am afraid that does sound like a rant. Ruiz was bowled over by the keeper who threw a rolling block at his knees worth of any NFL game, and Ruiz did a mid-air flip, got back up, ran around a defender and potted the goal. He did exactly what Borghetti was incapable of doing in the US-Mex game. That's a little more than a "decent" goal. The fact that you would discount it that much, call it just a "decent" goal, suggests an anti-Ruiz bias as much as any pro-Ruiz view any LA fan might have. Even Eric Wynalda, on the ESPN2 broadcast, was calling it Goal of the year stuff. Now that may be over the top, but this was more than just a "decent" goal. I don't mean to discount the efforts of others. As I said, there were a lot of genuinely exceptional strikes this week. But Ruiz's spectacular effort was worthy of consideration. And to suggest it was just "decent" is absurd.
I voted Vaca cause that was just a purely blasted lazer beam into the upper corner of the net from, what, 40 out? That thing was hit so hard if there was no net it would've left the stadium (I know I exagerate) but seriously, who wouldv'e thought that little guy could hit the ball so hard. He hit the crap out of it, beauty of a goal, and yes Glen's flick was also awsome. I prefer seeing pure blasts though, wish there were more of them per game.
I have now seen the goal. It's good, but not great. Props to Ruiz for taking such a vicious hit and getting back up to put the ball into the net. Did it deserve a nomination? Maybe. I try to be as unbiased as possible when it comes to evaluating things like this, and usually I am. Do I like Ruiz? No. Do I let that influence my evaluations? No. The five nominations for GOTW were much more deserving than Ruiz's (I will admit) exceptional and tough effort. However, after seeing the highlights from the SJ v Metros game, there were two goals in there that I would have put in nominations for even before Ruiz's. This was a huge weekend for great goals. Maybe another week, Ruiz's goal would have found a place on the list, but not this week.
Well, I hate Ruiz as much as any Quakes fan, but that was an incredible goal. I'm amazed he didn't just lie there on the ground whining, as he usually does. If this is an indication of a change in form from him, then maybe Ruiz will start getting some respect from non-Galaxy fans. I'm surprised the keeper didn't at least get a yellow for that, despite the fact that Ruiz put the ball in the net after that tackle.
I don't understand that either. I mean that literally - I just don't know how the rules treat this. I don't think its like hockey where a goal wipes out the penalty. How could Garlick's action be anything other than a card?
The goal by Ruiz should have been nominated instead of Kovalenko's. You see a multitude of goals like Kovalenko's, you don't see many like that of Ruiz. It was a spectacular goal!
If the card was for the foul itself, it would require a free kick. I think it was outside the area, but even so that would give the Galaxy a chance at an extra goal, which is silly. Did the ref signal advantage? I didn't notice. But the ref could have called it something else like unsporting conduct, and treated it like an off-the-ball infringement. But that's kind of sketchy. It wouldn't be a red card though, unless it actually prevented the goal. Then it may well have been.
Did any of these goals get any air time on ESPN? All 10 goals in the SJ-Metrostars game were ESPN worthy, even the well struck pks.
If the referee applies advantage and has a caution to give, it can wait until the next restart. There was only one caution in the game - to Gbandi in the 86th minute. The ref may have decided that since a goal was scored, and that it was now the 93rd minute of a 3-1 game that no card was required.
Yes, that's likely the case. But shouldn't it go on Garlick's Permanent Record anyway? And so if he had a caution in the next game, he could get a suspension?
re: Ruiz's goal IMHO it's not just the Kung-Fu flip, shoulder roll and determination he shows to get back up, but the sweet touch he put on the ball back at midfield that makes it a worthy goal. I don't know if they show that part on MLSnet.com, but the fact that he sets himself up for the run with a perfectly weighted pass that's basically to himself, is what makes it GOTW material. That said, there were so many excellent goals scored this past week it's a tough call (I personally feel that Kirovsky's second was a great goal- unlike a lot of the other long-range blasts, Kiro had three guys right on top of him and still managed to flat-foot the keeper). Maybe since Ruiz just got Player of the Month the powers that be decided to spread the love around. Of the five nominated, I've gotta go with Glen. Not only a sweet little touch, but it tied the game on the road in stoppage time, which makes it a little more worthy.
I don't really see the Vaca as "best" choice. I mean, if his was good, then what about Taylor's goal and what about Glen's first goal (also a rocket)? Additionally, Ching's goal is worthy of consideration since it was struck with pace, low, to the corner, and the heel from Donovan to set it up was brilliant. Brown's goal was also struck hard and perfectly placed (and outside the 18). Vaca's goal was really good, but there were a lot of goals from distance in that game alone. (As mentioned, Kirovski's 2nd fits the bill too.) I can sort of see the thinking behind Glen's second goal as Goal of the Week since it was REALLY cheeky, and it came off a nice cross from Gaven, and it was the goal that salvaged a point for the Metros, but in the end, it seems like rather poor defending than superb goal-scoring. Still, the uniqueness factor makes it a reasonable choice. For my vote, I'd have to go with Donovan's goal. He was essentially surrounded by three defenders, and he created space with a cheeky flick to himself, and then got a hard shot off - through defenders and past Walker. It reminded me quite a bit of Ronaldihno's goal for Barcelona that had everyone talking a while back. Unique, skilled, pretty. That's my goal of the week. ...and this week there could have been about 15 nominations for goal of the week...
The more game highlights I view on MLSnet the more I think there should be two GOTW votes this week. There are too many great goals that either didn't get nominated, or will lose to the eventual winner that are worth consideration later as possible GOTY canidates.
The reason he didn't lay on the ground whining is because he knew he could get a goal. He knew there was no way the keeper could get up and get there fast enough to stop him. Believe me, if he thought the keeper could have recovered in time, he'd have layed there. He played smart soccer.
Are you high? Surely you don't mean ESPN give special time to Footy and actually show game highlights? As for Vaca's goal being compared to the other bombs in that game, it was different, why you may ask? The reason why Vaca's goal was different was he was much further out than the other bomb goals of the day. PLUS the area in which the goal struck net, upper left hand corner, considering he was far right side of the field, produces a much more spectacular goal bomb. He was at least 5-10 yards further back from the other goals that were scored around the outside of the box. Vaca was not near the box on that goal, he was basically halfway to midfield from the very edge of the box and on the right side of the field. So there, that is my reason for Vaca's bomb being very different from the other bombs you want to stack with his.
You show me a goal, and I'll show you poor defending. Every goal could have been prevented. But what is it that makes a great goal? Quickness, skill, and innovation, to name a few qualities, against decent defending. Btw, how do you defend (without drawing a pk) against a backheel flick with the shooter running across the goal-mouth? And how do you expect the shooter to use that technique when it is so rarely used?