Seattle Sounders FC 2 scored some pretty amazing goals this year so we’re counting down the top 10 of 2016! To assist with this challenge, we put together an experienced panel of judges to give their two cents on their favorite S2 goals of 2016.
Panel: Ex-Sounders FC forward and current Director of Community Outreach Roger Levesque, S2 defender Michael Nelson, S2 Assistant Head Coach Junior Gonzalez, S2 play-by-play commentator Aaron Heinzen, S2 Stadium PA and Season Ticket Holder Hugo Garcia, S2 Game Operations Manager Lauren Babcock, Communications Coordinator Danny Ciaccio and Digital Content Coordinator Cam Rizzardini.
#10 Mark O’Ojong – 43’ May 22, 2016 | SEAvLA
Midfielder Mark O’Ojong opened his 2016 scoring account with this gorgeous, left-footed blast from the top of the box. Forward Myron Samuel provided the service which O’Ojong skillfully put away first time.
#9 Emir Alihodzic – 12’ July 6, 2016 | STLvSEA
Not your typical header goal as midfielder Emir Alihodzic took advantage of a keeper error to loop in a brilliantly struck header into the far post corner.
#8 Victor Mansaray – 20’ May 1, 2016 | SEAvOKC
Mr. USL Top 20 Under 20 himself made his presence known this year with five goals in 19 appearances including this impressive solo effort. Mansaray, on the break, juked a charging goalkeeper and then chipped the last defender at a tough angle to give S2 the lead.
#7 Victor Mansaray – 86’ July 10, 2016 | SEAvCOS
Mansaray makes this list a second time with a decisive top shelf blast from inside the area to give S2 a late lead and an eventual three points. "The beauty in this goal is in its simplicity," said Levesque. "S2 midfielders connect three easy passes before finding Victor’s feet at the top of the box. From there all it takes is two touches for Victor to smash the ball into the back of the net. Soccer can be a simple game."
#6 Darwin Jones – 94’ September 2, 2016 | SEAvVAN
Forward Darwin Jones definitely earns the top drama award for his 94th minute strike against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 that kept S2's playoff hopes alive. In the literal last seconds of the match, O’Ojong found Jones along the left flank, an area that Jones had thrived in throughout the season. Jones stormed into the box and slotted it off the far post and in for the late game-winner. "Amazing finish and composure in literally the last second of the last home game of the season and nails a perfectly angled shot after he had missed a few shots already.....never gave up," said Garcia.
#5 Jordan Schweitzer – 88’ August 29, 2016 | SEAvPOR
S2 had a penchant for late drama this year as midfielder Jordan Schweitzer also stole points from a Cascadia rival in a match’s dying breaths. A crisp turn from defender Tony Alfaro bought him some space to play in a cross from deep in the attacking third, which Schweitzer re-directed into the far-post net leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
#4 Oalex Anderson – 18’ May 8, 2016 | SEAvTUL
A familiar face visited S2 this year and immediately showed why he was called up to the first team. In an acrobatic display of pure athleticism, forward Oalex Anderson executed a picture perfect scissor kick off a rebound to draw S2 level. "Pure athleticism in Oalex Anderson’s individual effort here," said Levesque. "The ball sets up perfectly, but Oalex makes this scissor kick look easy."
#3 Jordan Schweitzer – 45’ July 16, 2016 | AZvSEA
Schweitzer doubles down on the Top 10 with a simply superb chip shot down at Arizona United. Samuel does well to get in on goal but his shot is stopped drawing the keeper out of goal. From there, the ball ricochets nicely to Schweitzer 20 yards out who strikes it perfectly with his left foot and drops it right into the far corner. Plus, what’s not to love about that commentary…“That’s something you’d expect to see from Schweinsteiger!”
#2 Lorenzo Ramos – 56’ June 9, 2016 | SEAvVAN
“Osvaldo Alonso would be proud,” said Levesque of this long-distance bomb from Sounders FC Academy player, Lorenzo Ramos. In his first ever start for S2, Ramos picked up the ball deep in midfield from Mansaray and stunned the crowd with this strike that led S2 to a 3-2 victory over their Cascadia rivals. “GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLAZO is the type of golazazazazo that instantly drops jaws in AWE and AMAZEMENT,” said Garcia. “Absolutely a rocket and beauty of a goal!”
#1 Zach Mathers – 70’ July 2, 2016 | SACvSEA
Mathers takes the top spot with a blast so sensational it caught the entire opposing side off guard. A quick and crafty combination in the middle of the park found Mathers cutting across the edge of area. From there it takes Mathers a single touch before smashing a curled ball with his left foot, away from goal, so deft that the keeper is left paralyzed to watch as it splashes into the top corner.
“The top goal for me was Zach Mathers’ finish at Sacramento,” said Heinzen. “From outside the 18-yard box and with little space to work in, Mathers dribbled to his left before smashing a shot between the crowd into the top right corner of the Republic's net leaving the keeper with no chance to save.”
“Love this goal because it is not only great combination play in tight spaces, but also a fantastic strike from Zach Mathers,” said Levesque. “My favorite part, the goalkeeper doesn’t even move.”
