The past season has certainly been one of the most memorable years in Major League Soccer history, with drama on and off the field, spectacular races for the Conference titles, top individual performances and a magnificent MLS Cup to round it all off.
Over the next few days at PST we’re putting a nice bow on an incredible 2013 MLS season, to mark the end of a landmark year for soccer in North America.
It’s time to continue our roundup of the best moments from MLS in 2013, as our top five goals are revealed.
Here it goes.
Camilo Sanvezzo vs. Portland (Week 32)
MLS BEST OF 2013
| Top moments of the year - READ |
| Unsung Hero - READ |
| Top 5 storylines - READ |
| Top five goals |
This won MLS Goal of the Year for a reason, and my word it still takes your breath away when you see it. Camilo, who also won the MLS Golden Boot award this season, was sublime for the Vancouver Whitecaps and this goal proves his supreme clinical finishing. The way he quickly adjusted his body to deal with an instinctive scissor kick, after Y.P. Lee knocked the ball back into the box is amazing and the power and direction he gets on the effort is something else. Add in the fact it was in a Cascadia clash against the Timbers and Camilo had previously made it 1-1 in the 76th minute, then Will Johnson put Portland ahead in the 77th minute and then Camilo did this in the 78th minute … BC Place went nuts. A special goal from a special player.
Diego Valeri vs. New York (Week 1)
This magician had a magnificent season up at Jeld-Wen Field as Argentine playmaker Diego Vaelri dazzled during his debut season. Cast your mind back to the very first weekend of the season, and Valeri waltzed through the Red Bulls defense with three fain touches before delicately tucking the ball away with the outside of his right boot. This was an early glimpse of the brilliance that was to come. A crowd favorite amongst the Timbers Army, this bloke is oozes class.
Thierry Henry vs. Montreal (Week 11)
We could’ve picked three of four goals from the great man to make up this top five, but we plumped for his strike against Montreal as the 34-year-old swung his entire body into the air and produced this masterful bicycle kick to send Red Bull Arena wild. His celebration showed his excitement as the Red Bulls were finally beginning to click a few months into the season. Of course Henry lifted the clubs first-ever piece of silverware later in the season as they won the Supporters’ Shield.
Juan Agudelo vs. Chicago (Week 25)
It’s a shame the Premier League won’t be able to see tricks and flicks like this, because Juan Agudelo has a bunch of them in his locker. The New England Revolution striker scored this stunning effort with a cheeky back heel over Sean Johnson and the ball just went over the line as a covering defender tried to stop it. The USMNT youngster is at a cross road on his career, as his move to Stoke City feel through due to work permit issues. This goal will be one he’ll be showing off to prospective employers across the globe.
Dillon Powers vs. Portland (Week 5)
Once upon a time I graced the same turf as Powers, and he seemed to have a little bit of an off day. But throughout his entire rookie season in MLS he was on fire and was rightly awarded the MLS Rookie of the Year gong. It was strikes like this that won him that illustrious title, as Powers proved he has a laser from outside the box. In the 18th minute of Colorado’s early season 2-2 draw with Portland, the former Notre Dame captain was fed the ball 25-yards out and decided to have a crack at goal. Good decision Dillon, absolute pile driver.