Juan Agudelo marked his return to the the lineup for the New England Revolution with an audacious goal in a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.
After a scoreless first half, Agudelo, who missed eight matches while recovering from a right knee sprain, got the Revs on the board with a goal-of-the-year candidate in the 54th minute.
Chris Tierney sent a long pass over the back of the Fire defence and connected with Agudelo on the run near the edge of the area.
The Colombia-born forward let the ball bounce once before clipping it over onrushing goalkeeper Sean Johnson with the outside of his right foot.
The ball went up and over Johnson and into the net despite Bakary Soumaré's desperate attempt to intervene on the line.
Kelyn Rowe guaranteed the points in the late stages when he banged in a rebound of a Saër Sène effort.
"I just thought the ball slowed down a little bit," Agudelo told MLSsoccer.com
"It was just instinct. Maybe it was a little South American swag, I don't know. I'm just happy it went in.
"I knew it was across the line. I was hoping the refs saw it went across the line. It was an awesome feeling to see the linesman put up his flag to say it was a goal."
And to score this particular goal against his close friend Johnson, was extra special.
Agudelo added: "I know Sean from the national team. He's my good friend and we were kind of bantering before the game. I think I got the last laugh."
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| New England Revolution player Juan Agudelo flicks the ball to score against Chicago Fire Photo: YouTube |
After a scoreless first half, Agudelo, who missed eight matches while recovering from a right knee sprain, got the Revs on the board with a goal-of-the-year candidate in the 54th minute.
Chris Tierney sent a long pass over the back of the Fire defence and connected with Agudelo on the run near the edge of the area.
The Colombia-born forward let the ball bounce once before clipping it over onrushing goalkeeper Sean Johnson with the outside of his right foot.
The ball went up and over Johnson and into the net despite Bakary Soumaré's desperate attempt to intervene on the line.
Kelyn Rowe guaranteed the points in the late stages when he banged in a rebound of a Saër Sène effort.
"I just thought the ball slowed down a little bit," Agudelo told MLSsoccer.com
"It was just instinct. Maybe it was a little South American swag, I don't know. I'm just happy it went in.
"I knew it was across the line. I was hoping the refs saw it went across the line. It was an awesome feeling to see the linesman put up his flag to say it was a goal."
And to score this particular goal against his close friend Johnson, was extra special.
Agudelo added: "I know Sean from the national team. He's my good friend and we were kind of bantering before the game. I think I got the last laugh."
