Sep 27, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Portland Timbers midfielder Will Johnson (4) battles for a ball with Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) during the first half in a game at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Will Johnson (vs. Vancouver)
The next goal up for voting is Will Johnson’s great strike off a volley against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Johnson’s great strike came in the 86th minute of that 4-3 game in which the Timbers lost. The combined quality of this goal plus the goal getting the Timbers within one goal of tying the game up really lit the crowd up and Providence Park was going crazy.
So let’s take a look at the goal and try to see why it made the final four. The first thing is the extremely controlled juggling of Fenendo Adi. Adi received a nicely place ball in the center of the box and juggled it before flicking it on to Will Johnson who was making a run into open space. Will Johnson struck the ball on the volley with power and put it into the back of the net.
MLS Multiplex
I think we can all agree that what Adi did to lead up to the goal was very high on the difficulty meter, but what Will Johnson did was equally as difficult. Striking a ball with that much power behind it on a volley like that is extremely hard. It takes a great amount of skill and finishing ability to do that plus putting it in the back of the net is not easy as I am sure you know.
I believe this goal should win goal of the year for not just the set up by Adi (which was phenomenal by the way), but the strike from Will Johnson which is what the award is all about, right? That strike from Will Johnson was a memorable one and the best goal of the year.