What was this week's best MLS goal (the choice isn't as easy as you think)

                                            Photo by ISIphotos.com

What a week for MLS goals. While Danny Cepero's 80-yard free kick shocker is the goal getting all the attention this weekend, some folks could argue that there are goals more deserving of an MLS goal of the week accolade.

Why? Well, this week someone sent a memo out telling MLS players to try and cook up some jaw-dropping goals and that's exactly what they did. There are four quality finishes that will challenge Cepero's history-making goal for top honors this week.

If you're one of the few people who haven't seen Cepero's goal yet, take a look here.

While most MLS fans have already seen Cepero's goal, here are the four other gems delivered in MLS this week (be sure to vote in the SBI poll at the bottom):

Cuauhtemoc Blanco's long-range blast

Amado Guevara's long-range blast

Will Johnson's nasty side-volley

Angel's game-winning volley

Which goal do you think was the best of the week in MLS? MLS has its own official voting for the goal of the week award, but I want to see how SBI readers vote:

poll by twiigs.com

Which did you pick? Share your thoughts and selections for this week's MLS goal of the week in the comments section below.

Comments

[RSLinSoIDAHO]

Will Johnson's goal was a belter. Plain phenomenal.

[SLC]

Johnson's goal gets sicker every time I watch it.

[BlueWhiteLion]

Ceperos is the most "talk-worthy" goal, and he rightly deserves a solid place in "greatest goals" because it was an awesome kick and an unusual goal, and he had the presence of mind to try it. However, you can fault the goalie to a degree, for allowing it. (and the turf.) Will Johnson, however, showed skill in quickly flicking the ball and volleying it into the extreme side of the goal. Unstoppable. The others were awesome too, perhaps even better kicks than Johnson's. But it was the way he set himself up for the goal (besides the quality kick itself) which stands out to me. Kind of Klinsmannesque.

[WILL]

Yes Will Johnson's goal was the best.

[RSF]

Rohan Ricketts volley or Guevara's blast

[BlueWhiteLion]

PS. While my earlier post might obscure this, I actually think Will's goal was the best, and I voted for it, too.

[Chosun]

Wow, Johnson's goal was impressive. While Cepero's goal was amazing, it was kind of a freak incident, whereas Johnson's goal is really quite skillful. I really liked Angel's goal too, but I may be a bit biased on that one.

[Ryan]

This is one of the better weekend of goals MLS has ever had.

[kpugs]

I'll make this easy for everyone. Neither Amado's nor Blanco's goal was THAT long range. Both were near the box. Will Johnson has given the ball away so much since arriving in this league that he needs to score 10 of those goals to ever get my vote (though the goal was definitely awesome).

That leaves two Red Bulls. Yay!

In all seriousness, a Red Bull needs to win a goal of the week at some point, the hatred of other fans has prevented that to this point, and it makes me a sad boy. ;)

[Aljarov]

Anyone who picks Cepero simply doesn't know anything about soccer, or at the very least, I cringe at picking a flukey punt bouncing over a goalie versus the real quality of efforts on show from the weekend.

I hope a true goal of skill gets the nod and not some throw away novelty item.

[firefan06]

Wow, some of these are not only goal of the week candidates, but could've been goal of the year candidates as well. It'll be interesting to see which wins the weekly honors. For me its a toss-up between Blanco and Cepero.

[Yossarian]

Who the heck is Will Johnson? That goal was sick!

[Will]

Cepero's goal was assissted by the turf. Still very impressive though.

[Yossarian]

Not to take away anything from Johnson's wonderful strike, but that defender could give a clinic on how NOT to play football. No pressure at all and turning away from the shot to let it past - truly awful defending.

[Jacob A.]

I went with Johnson's. Easy choice for me.

[Joel]

Cepero = most suprising, and hence, memorable, goal of the week

Johnson = most skillful goal of the week.

[Hincha Tim]

kpugs,
Don't know what you're refering to when you say "Will Johnson has given the ball away so much since arriving in this league". Johnson has been a huge acquisition for RSL and has played extremely well since he arrived, with the exception of the NYRB game, in which he definitely had an off game. He has added another badly needed dimension to the RSL midfield with his penetrating attacking runs with the ball and coverage of the pitch. At 21 years old, he might prove to be one of the best acquisitions in all the league this year.

[Fan]

Why would a player just outside the 18-yard box (with some space around him) flick the ball up to volley it?

Will Johnson couldn't control the pass and got lucky.

[Jacob A.]

However, Johnson does NOT get the celebration of the week, after trying to slide on his knees and nearly faceplanting when he stopped instead of slid.

[beckster]

Will Johnson's goal amazing and most skilled. But we pretty much get really great skilled goals each week. Cepero's goal is historic and will go down in all the record books so have to vote for it as goal of week.

[Tim F.]

I vote for Juan Pablo's goal. It's not only the excellent finish under a lot of pressure from the opposition -- much more so than any of the other goal of the week candidates -- it's also later in the game (than Will's shot - 76th minute) with the team desperately needing a win.

[groovester]

It was really annoying watching the broadcast of the RSL game. The PA announcer at the game was talking throughout the action and it sounded like they played music over the PA during play. If that is the case that is pure bush league. More like arena league football.

The understand the PA announcer needs to announce who scored goals and stuff like that, but the cheerleading and sponsor announcemnts are nonsense.

[MattC]

Will Johnson has been an absolute stud since arriving at RSL and, as was mentioned a week ago on FSC, might be the best mid-season acquisition of the year in MLS. He will be a future All-star for years to come and is only 21 years old.

And yes his goal was the best of the week and maybe the year in MLS. Sorry all you biased NYRB and CHI fans but the truth hurts sometimes.

[CD]

Hincha Tim,
I have watched Will Johnson play in two games. In both games he passed the ball away almost every time he touched it. Earlier in the game last weekend he was in my opinion the worst player on the pitch for RSL. After his goal he started to gain some confidence and not give the ball away.

[Wes]

Will Johnson for sure.

[CD]

Against the Red Bulls Will Johnson was crap.

[Mario in SJ]

I have to go along with Yossarian. There was absolutely no pressure on Johnson.
I believe a number of guys in my sunday morning team could replicate the shot with no one getting in their way..
On the other hand Angel was under extreme duress when he found the spot and proceeded to put the ball through a couple of defenders.

[Fumar]

Historic Goalie goal for me, though Will's goal was a much more skillful strike.

[TwistedTidings]

You know, I liked the team involvement on Angel's ball, and I liked Brian McBride's involvement on Cauh's goal. I might choose either of them ahead of Johnson's goal, but it's still a phenomenal individual effort.

[DM]

Sorriest clips on defending you can put together. Angel wins. The only person with a defender within a mile of him.

[RedLine55]

I agree with what some of you are saying... honestly, I don't think there's anything too spectacular about that Cepero goal. I think it's way more impressive when a player actually INTENDS to score a goal and places it perfectly w/ glorious pace. Any one of us could have kicked the hell out of the ball, as long as the other keeper screws up and it hits off a tennis court.

[Brokenbil]

Cepero's goal will win the honors on the MLS website (might even win goal of the year), but the other four goals are outstanding. I voted for Angel because of his proximity to the Crew defenders. He had to control that ball and direct his shot through heavy traffic. Blanco, Guevara, and Johnson had sweet shots, too.

[Colon Powellups]

Will Johnson no contest no one in teh mls has ever scored a goal like that. Theiry Henry would be proud.

[kco]

"There was absolutely no pressure on Johnson.
I believe a number of guys in my sunday morning team could replicate the shot with no one getting in their way."

I can hit upper 90 shots weekly with nobody else around to see it, doesn't mean I'm good enough to be a professional.

Respect the Post Ringers. Johnson GOTW.

[kahlva]

Tough call between Johnson and Angel.

Had to go with Angel, because the defense was all over him and he still made the shot. Johnson had a bit more space and time.

[edaw33]

easily johnsons. now everyone go over to mlsnet and correct the mistake that everyone is making by voting Capero's.

[JVC-RSL]

Cepero's goal was pure luck. Johnson's goal was pure class. I was right behind the goal when he hit it, and my jaw dropped. It was incredible.

[eric]

Johnson's turn was so sweet. For 2nd I like Blanco's goal for the team effort in the build up, with a great header by McBride to set up the great blast. Sorry, Cepero's goal was historic but a product of the turf and a misplay by the Crew's back-up keeper. If Hesmer played, no goal I bet.

Love the embedded highlights, Ives!

[anotherbodymurdered]

"Cepero's" goal should be credited to the green-painted concrete of Giants Stadium

[Heffe]

It has to be Johnson's goal. The way he hits it, the placement of the shot, and the fact that his back was towards goal when he received the pass. Johnson just turns and shoots. What a screamer.

[BlueWhiteLion]

I love Angel as a player, and I like his goal this week, but I don't put too much stock in how he was "under pressure." Okay, it was not a cakewalk situation, but he was not under great pressure. The ball simply goes toward him and he makes a very nice strike (kicking almost blindly around his defender.). Again, I liked it, but it is not like he dribbled around three guys etc. I also like the player interaction on a couple of the goals, but that is not what we were voting on.

[BlueWhiteLion]

Guevara probably had the best well placed shot of a player who KNEW where he was striking. Blanco's was decent, but it was closer to the middle and would have been better more to the left post of the goal

Ummm, whoever said criticized Will Johnson's flicking up the ball obviously has not considered the angle of the ball and placement of the player. Had he tried to slam that ball home on one touch, I don't think he would have either gotten it on goal, or at least would not have had much pace on it. He DID look like Klinsmann in the 94 WC (was it against Korea, i think). The flick allowed him better power and he also shielded his shot. However, though I voted for him, I am not sure he knew WHERE the ball was traveling. He never appeared to look at the goal

[Ives]

Guys, this is just my opinion but with regard to Angel and Johnson, I loved Johnson's goal but Angel's was more difficult. They were both volleys, but Angel had less time and more bodies to maneuver. Johnson's only edge is that it was from further away. Throw in the fact that Angel was in the middle of a must-win game and that goal gave the Red Bulls the lead and that's why I would give Angel the edge over Johnson.

Lastly, I also think Johnson's goal benefits from better camera angles. If you had ground cameras facing Angel from behind the goal you would get a much better grasp of how difficult his shot was.

[BlueWhiteLion]

with regard to Angel, I must say I omitted from my memory (old age) his chesting of the ball to set himself up. An even better goal, to be sure, but I still give the edge to Johnson. No question (with HUGE respect for Ives, without whom we'd not have this terrific site!) :) As a player, I think I would have a harder time getting of Johnson's shot than Angel's.

[Rory]

Cepero's goal doesn't deserve consideration because he wasn't trying to score a goal—he was just kicking it in the middle of things to cause confusion, which it did—and scored a gaol.

What's this about JPA's goal being more clutch than Johnson's? Johnson's was the game winner for a team and a game that was equally important as the Red Bull's.

[Matt]

Amen, Aljarov. This Cepero talk is nonsense. The goal was pure luck. Generally goal scorers intend to score. Cepero had no intent to score. Let's not give him credit then because "he had the presence of mind to try it."

In fact, had the ball not gone in, it would only be memorable as evidence of horrible distribution.

[brett]

while Cepero's goal will go down in the record books, i personally dont see it as amazing.....

GK lofts it into a mess of players, happens to miss them, and then takes a wonderful bounce on the turf to go over a out of position Crew backup GK....

it was a wonderfully placed kick, but shouldnt rank with the amazing goals this week..

[Fan]

"Ummm, whoever said criticized Will Johnson's flicking up the ball obviously has not considered the angle of the ball and placement of the player. Had he tried to slam that ball home on one touch, I don't think he would have either gotten it on goal, or at least would not have had much pace on it."

I never suggested Johnson one time it. His first touch was horrible. He couldn't control the pass and got lucky.

[BlueWhiteLion]

Rory, yeah, I thought of that: GWG. That ups it a bit in importance and "clutch"

Fan--ohh, so you think that his "flick" was not a flick, but just a bad touch and then he kicked it (out of desperation?) and was lucky it went in? I guess I see the flick as intentional, that he intended to do that to kick on goal. I am not sure he knew where the goal was, other than "generally", and that it landing near the right post was a bit more luck than "planned." Still a great goal imo.

[kswiss]

For me, it was really hard to decide between Angel and Johnson. Both were spectacular, but I gave the nod to Angel for his composure. He set up his own volley, just like Johnson had to, but he had less time to get the shot off, and less space to put it in. I had to watch each goal like 5 times to decide, though.

[Fan]

BlueWhiteLion - That's right, I don't think he intended to flick the ball up. Why would someone do that when they are just outside the box and have space around them?

[mikeK]

Goalies don't score every week.

Cepero = Legend.

[Sean]

No matter how impressive and unusual that goal by Cepero is, it won't get my vote over a deliberate and technically sound world-class goal like Will's. And, thank goodness because I don't want any goal on football lines to ever be goal of the week.

Yes, I know it happens regularly.

[rednow.red4ever]

Regarding actual skill...there's no topping the Johnson goal this week....

[Hincha Tim]

Ives,
Johnson's goal for RSL was during a must win game that was the winning goal also, so I don't see the difference between that goal and JPA's as far as importance or effect on the respective games.

To those who say Johnson's goal was luck, you can say that about 95% of goals if you look at and break down all the elements that go into scoring a goal, that's why they are so rare. Some goals are more lucky than others: a deflection off a player (which this one was not), a bad call by the ref (which this one was not). Johnson did not have the best initial touch on the ball, but he recognized an opportunity and took it. There was no luck involved in that anymore than any other goal: luck= opportunity + preparation.

[soccerroo]

Cepero goal is something you can see almost any weekend watch 12-18 ages in recreation leagues. The only thing that makes it important is it was the first goal by a keeper in MLS.

[Mike Kurowski]

What an absolutely fantastic goal by Will Johnson! Unbelievable!

[Ives]

Tim, the two goals were technically game-winning goals, but the circumstances were different. For one, it wasn't a must-win game for RSL. If RSL had tied against FC Dallas it would be in the same position going into the last game against Colorado, needing a tie to advance. A tie vs. FC Dallas would have left RSL tied on points with the Rapids, holding the edge on goal difference over Colorado. Now, a tie could have opened the door for FC Dallas to steal the spot with a win and RSL-Colorado tie, but again, it wasn't a must-win game.

If the Red Bulls had tied against Columbus, they fall behind KC, DC and Colorado in the playoff race and go into the Chicago game needing a win and help to reach the playoffs. That's what made their game a must-win game.

Lastly, Johnson's goal came early in the second half (54th minute) of a game RSL was in complete control of thanks to a man advantage. Angel's goal came in the 76th minute of a game the Red Bulls weren't in complete control of.

We can agree to disagree but I just think Angel's goal had a higher degree of difficulty. Both were great though, you can't go wrong with either one.

[BlueWhiteLion]

Fan, this is how I see his ball handling: if he shoots a one touch goal, neither he, nor anyone else, gets much power on it. He is NOT close, nor right in front of the goal. He has to shoot it at an angle that is behind and away from him. He needs to square himself up with the goal. His touch is clearly intended to pop the ball up and then turn his body toward goal, and with a much better shooting angle to slam it home. Which he does. It IS world class, as others have said.

Hincha Tim--thanks, I hadn't -paid attention to the GWG status of Johnson. Good point.

[BlueWhiteLion]

Ives--i keep looking about both goals, and while my admiration for Angel's goal is on the rise, I can't understand how it is technically more difficult. The rate at which Johnson's ball is traveling and spinning makes it a higher degree of difficulty for me. That said, Angel does very well to chest it in front of himself, and pulls off a clinic in striking it powerfully and keeping it low. It is a beautiful strike. I just can't see how it is more difficult.

[metrostar 4 life]

In all honesty and fairness, if you think johnson's was the best, then what do you think of Angel's? World class control and presence of mind to shoot. Except in Angel's case, the area was swarming with defenders unlike Johnson's

[strongboy3]

I don't see why Ceparo is leading the vote on MLSnet right now, pure luck of playing on turf. Personally I think Findley's goal in RSL's game was better than that. Johnson all the way.

[DadOf6]

A horrible first touch?

The best definition that I have heard for GOOD first touch is a touch that allows the player to get a second touch.

[Sterlinho]

Will Johnson's because it was the only one scored on grass.

[SonicDeathMonkey]

Cepero's goal involved the least amount of skill. I would take Johnson's or Blanco's over his.

[BlueWhiteLion]

metrostar: I loved Angel's goal, and as far as I care, "world class" is also applied to him. As far as overall skill, Angel takes the cake. i love him as a player. Just between the two--regardless of whether or not Will could duplicate that goal--I thought it was extremely good.

[Pembi8]

I don't think there is any question. The sheer difficulty ratio combined with the placement and control gives me no room for question. Johnson is not the greatest striker, but seldom do you see a better one play highlight.

[ArteetLabore]

Cepero's goal was more a case of bad goalkeeping and a bad turf bounce than a great goal

Personally, I prefer Rickett's volley to a number of the other ones listed here.

[Sean]

Ok, dude who thought the Johnson goal was a bad touch that turned lucky: Seriously?

I'm sorry to have to say this, but whatever state you're in is an at-will fan-employment state. We can seperate from you at any time, for any reason - you understand. And, at this time, we've decided that our fandom needs to go in another direction, and you need to go in yours.

I know this may be surprising to you. I'm sorry. I know there's lots of leagues looking for fans today! Particularly hockey - if you're in a hockey region, try it out. Some people really love it. You might make a great new future for yourself there, with hockey. Or basketball. Whatever.

Hope everything works out.

[lol]

Angel clearly uses both arms to cradle the ball with his chest before he hits it. It should have been a hand ball.

Will's first touch got away, but he made up for it with a sweet strike.

[heyidiots]

those sayin wills goal was no good cause the defender backed off. do you realise the keepers goal was cause the keeper on the other end is retarded. that goal took no skill at all it was all cause of turf witch football should not be played on, and a crap keeper at the other end.

[Joamiq]

Cepero should still get it, but yeah, Will Johnson's goal blows away the rest of the normal ones.

[BlueWhiteLion]

lol, Sean. thanks!

[Jared Montz]

Will Johnson is a stud and that goal was world class. He has a great shot and you should see him ping a ball!!