A LOOK BACK | Best Goals Of 2015 So Far

Photo Credit: Minnesota United

The 2015 season has been packed with exciting action, and plenty of highlight reel goals to go with it. With the season already halfway done, here is a look at the best goals so far this year:

Jemal Johnson’s 12-Second Strike

Playing in its first ever NASL match, the league’s newest club, Jacksonville Armada FC, made quite the grand entrance. Veteran forward Jemal Johnson’s swerving shot from distance opened the Armada FC’s debut match in dreamlike fashion, with the ball hitting the back of the net a mere 12 seconds after the opening whistle. The strike was so quick that it immediately stood as the Modern Era record for fastest goal. Jacksonville went on to defeat FC Edmonton, 3-1.

Sergio Peña’s Game-Winner From Over 40 Yards Out

Indy Eleven and the San Antonio Scorpions were destined for a draw in Week 3 of the Spring Season at Toyota Field, however, Indy midfielder Sergio Peña had other ideas. The Honduran struck a ball on the half volley from more than 40 yards out into the back of the net for a dramatic late winner in the 2-1 victory.

Zourab Tskikaridze’s 60-Yard Free Kick

Just a week after the Scorpions fell to Peña’s wonder goal, they would score one of their own to earn a 2-2 draw against host Minnesota United FC. Midfielder Zourab Tsiskaridze looked up and saw Minnesota goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock off his line and struck a free kick. The catch? The Georgian veteran was 60 yards from goal. While Ndjock was able to get a hand to it as he was backpedaling, it wasn’t enough to keep the shot out of the net. Even more remarkable was the fact that it wasn’t the first time Tsiskaridze had scored from such a distance. He scored on a nearly identical play while playing in the Swedish Superettan.

Marlon Freitas’ First-Time Strike From Distance

Linking up with fellow Brazilian Stefano Pinho, Marlon Freitas curled his teammate’s lay-off into the top corner against Ottawa Fury FC. The strike, which came from over 25 yards out, ultimately proved to be the decisive goal in a match the Strikers won, 3-1.

Omar Cummings’ Scissor Kick

Veteran Jamaican forward Omar Cummings scored five goals in the Spring Season, but none were more acrobatic than the effort he converted in a match against Jacksonville Armada FC. Cummings leapt and twisted his body for a scissor-kick goal that opened the scoring in a match that the Scorpions would go on to drop by a score of 2-1.

Kalif Alhassan’s Free-Kick

Minnesota United midfielder Kalif Alhassan showcased his dangerous free-kick abilities when he sent in a lovely, curling effort from distance against Indy Eleven. Indy goalkeeper Kristian Nicht did all he could to try to keep it out, but the placement of the shot was too good. The Loons would go on to score two more goals in the 3-1 win.

Kyle Hyland’s Equalizer From Distance

Late in the match. Shot from distance. Indy goal. No, this isn’t déjà vu. With just seconds to go in a stoppage time, midfielder Kyle Hyland let fly in a rain-soaked, weather-delayed match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and his effort found the top corner at the far post to earn another dramatic result for the Boys in Blue. This time around, it was a 2-2 draw with the Rowdies.

Raúl’s Last-Minute Equalizer

The Cardiac Cosmos were alive and well in the Spring Season, earning several last-gasp draws and wins on their way to an unbeaten Spring Season Championship run. In a match against Minnesota United FC, Andrés Flores, who scored a dramatic late equalizer of his own earlier in the season, sent in a long ball that found a streaking Raúl. The Spanish great took the ball off his chest and eventually slotted the ball past Loons goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock for the game-tying goal in a 1-1 draw.

Lance Laing’s Free-Kick Strike

One-time defender Lance Laing has flourished since switching to midfield last Fall Season. In 2015, the Jamaican has tallied a bunch of impressive strikes - several of which have come from free kicks. Laing’s effort against the San Antonio Scorpions may have been his biggest masterpiece yet, as he curled a shot to the absolute upper corner of the net, leaving Scorpions goalkeeper Daryl Sattler with no chance of stopping it.

Simone Bracallelo’s Effort From Distance Against Former Club

After missing a large portion of the Spring Season due to injury, Italian veteran Simone Bracalello announced his return to the Carolina RailHawks’ lineup in stunning fashion. He let fly from distance when Minnesota United defenders didn’t close home down, and he picked out the top corner. The strike may have felt that much sweeter for Bracalello, as it came against his former club.

Jaime Chavez’s Bicycle Kick

The Atlanta Silverbacks’ attack has come alive in the last two weeks and, in large part, it has been due to new arrivals. With that said, it wasn’t a new face who scored a highlight-reel effort in Atlanta’s recent 2-2 draw against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Forward Jamie Chavez’s athletic ability was on display when he executed a picture-perfect bicycle kick following a flick from teammate Simon Mensing.