bobbyake Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Portland's Darlington Nagbe came into MLS with a bigger reputation as a creator than a goal-scorer. But the lasting image from the Liberian's rookie campaign turned out to be a juggling wonder-strike for the ages, good enough to claim the title of the 20111 AT&T Goal of the Year. Nagbe scored the golazo in the 45th minute of what was eventually a 2-1 home loss to Sporting KC in Week 16. The goal came after Nagbe, stationed at the top of the penalty area, controlled a punched clearance from KC 'keeper Jimmy Nielsen with two juggles, then laced a laser-beam to the upper 90 as he was closed down by the Sporting defense. Between Jack Jewsbury's corner kick, Nielsen's punch and — eventually — Nagbe's shot, the ball never touched the turf. In all, the goal garnered 42 percent of the vote via text-message and online ballot, comfortably out-distancing Vancouver forward Eric Hassli's Week 13 golazo from an impossible angle against Seattle (31 percent). Fredy Montero's fancy footwork in Week 28 against the 'Caps took third place (23 percent), while Davide Chiumiento's spinning volley in Week 26 against New York came in a distant fourth (4 percent). Nagbe is just the second rookie to win the AT&T Goal of the Year, following in the footsteps of Chicago's Damani Ralph. Ralph received the award in 2003 for a spinning touch and volley against the Columbus Crew. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011...arlington-nagbe This is awesome news for Akron!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 WOW, what a goooooaaaalll! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Well-deserved by Darlington! I never erased that game from my DVR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyake Posted November 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 Interview with Nagbe after winning it: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011...nning-goal-year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 Interview with Nagbe after winning it: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011...nning-goal-year It was a nice goal, alright. But seriously, Darling(ton), that Erik Hassli goal is probably the best in the world this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yazan07 Posted November 22, 2011 Report Share Posted November 22, 2011 Is Darlington Nagbe a class act or what? Read this article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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