The holidays are here, We’ve been wearing festive sweaters and drinking eggnog for a while now, but we still have almost two full weeks to go until the big day, how should we pass the time?
Here’s an idea, let’s relive some of the best goals and moments from 2018, like, maybe one every day for the next 12 days?
Sounds fun!
Number 12:
Speaking of long waits, A-rod had to wait 914 days between goals before scoring for URFC, which became much more frequent while wearing gold and blue in 2018. Here is a nice little volley from the Orlando game to get us in the goal-watching mood. A special moment from an already special inaugural season.
Number 11:
Sometimes the finish is just the period on a complex, emotionally dense, masterfully written sentence. Albert put this ball in the back of the net, but not before almost every boot, head and chest wearing red had a hand in delivering it to his right foot. Team goal; 11 days ‘til Christmas.
Number 10:
Less than 10 days to go now, the last-minute shopping is in full effect. Sometimes it takes a little extra pressure to find that perfect gift. Remember Albert’s last-minute heroics in Houston? First time in league history that one player has scored the match tying and winning goals in extra-time. Pretty fun, right?
$9.00 can get you a lot of things, like a burrito (guac is extra, is that okay?); or a copy of Ryan Reynolds 2009 indie superhero movie, Paper Man, on DVD; 50,000 Orbeez, perhaps? But, let me just throw this out there, $9 bucks can also get you up close and personal with some Straight. Up. Bangers.
The Monarchs are out at Zions Bank Stadium each and every week putting up goals just like these.
$9 bucks for this? I dare you to find a better deal.
Number 7:
One recurring theme from the 2018 season had to be this: if the ball goes in the back of the net, Jefferson had something to do with it. Go back and check the highlights, it is tough to find any goal that doesn’t somehow go through Sava. Credited with a team-leading 11 assists (if i’m keeping score, it’s more like, 14), to go along with his 7 goals, #7 was the gift that kept on giving.
Number 6:
Let’s face it, if you need to create something out of nothing, get the ball to Katie Stengel. URFC golden boot winner found the net 6 times this season, and absolutely earned her seat in the throne.
By the way, Katie had a brace last weekend in Australia for the Newcastle Jets; one of those goals was described by the commentator as an “absolute rippah.” Do yourself a favor and look it up.
Number 5:
It’s always a good day at the Riot when #5 gets on the scoresheet. Kyle came off the bench to get this winner against Houston in May; Off Damir’s Chest, through Joe Willis’ legs, to grandma’s house we go.
While we are talking about wearing the #5, Kelley O’Hara opened her account at the riot, on cinco de Mayo. There’s gotta be something to that, Right?
Feliz Navidad.
Number 4:
Damir Kreilach is a score-by-any-means-necessary type of attacker- foot, knee, chest, forehead- whatever gets the ball across the line will work just fine. During the early-September dismantling of LA Galaxy, GK David Bingham tried to slow down the insatiable Croatian late in the 1st half, but you gotta work a little harder to stop this train once it gets moving.
Get a (4)head on it, Damir!
Number 2:
Is "Kreilach to Rusnák" the new "Stockton to Malone?" It has a nice ring to it, but it might take a few more years for it to really roll off the tongue.
In the meantime, Albert and co. are out here doing their part to make the give-and-go feel as at home at the Riot as it did in the Delta Center, circa '96.
Here are a two of the most recent examples of the good ol' 1-2 to to enjoy; which one would look better as a statue?
Number 1:
Obviously there are too many great goals to be confined to one little countdown, but these were some of our favorites, let us know what goals were on your list.
Here is your gift from the RSL Podcast Network: Dunny, Matt and Scott Parkinson try to decide the RSL goal of the year.
Take a listen:
Listen to "Goal of the Year Special with Brian Dunseth, Scott Parkinson and Matt Gaschk" on Spreaker.
Thanks for playing along, 2018 was pretty special, and 2019 promises to be amazing as well. We can't wait!
