USMNT defender John Brooks has had a fantastic Bundesliga campaign, and he put the cherry on top early on in Hertha Berlin’s 2-0 win over relegation-threatened FC Augsburg.
Just 12 minutes into the game, Hertha took a corner that met the head of Salomon Kalou, but with a good distance between the former Chelsea man and the net, the header instead cannoned off a defender and away from net.
With Kalou screaming for a handball, Brooks stepped up to the ball and had a go from outside the box. The ball was not struck with any particular power, but with plenty of bodies between Brooks and Augsburg goalkeeper Marwin Hitz, the netminder had no view of the ball, and was thus helpless to stop the shot as it dribbled into the back of the net.
John Brooks made sure the #Bundesliga's #USMNT stars got in on the #goalmania action! @j_brooks25 @HerthaBSC_EN https://t.co/AEphxzkdFy
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 9, 2017
The goal is the sixth of Brooks’ Bundesliga career and his second of the season, after scoring less than a month ago against Cologne. More importantly for the team, it stops a run of three straight defeats for Berlin. While the losing streak sees them almost certain to miss out on Champions League qualification after it seemed very possible for much of the season, they would certainly welcome a fifth-placed finish should they hold onto their current position.
Score a goal? Check. Get a clean sheet? Check. It’s a solid day at the office for John Brooks.