Highlight Special
The 10 Most Outrageous American Goals of 2014
From Jack McInerney's magical twirling number to Dax McCarty's perfect chip to Jermaine Jones' World Cup stunner against Portugal, here are the best American strikes of the year.
IT'S TIME TO SWAP OUT your 2014 calendar for that fancy 2015 edition you probably received as a present, but before we turn our attention to the year ahead we thought we would look back on the 10 best goals scored by Americans last year.
Happy watching, and Happy New Year from American Soccer Now.
No. 10 Juan Agudelo
Utrecht vs. PEC Zwolle
February 6, 2014
Juan Agudelo’s curious search for a new club hasn't played out well for the 22-year-old, and he hasn't played a game since May. But when he went on loan to Utrecht early in the year, he scored this dandy which really displays his quality as a forward. No. 9 Graham Zusi
Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire
October 10, 2014
Graham Zusi looked sluggish in recent months—which is understandable considering he had an intense January and a busy World Cup in addition to the MLS season. But this goal showed a lot of skill with a nice first touch to eventually set up a left-footed finish. No. 8 Sam Cronin
Philadelphia Union vs. San Jose Earthquakes
August 24, 2014
This goal came out of nowhere but on the play Sam Cronin took advantage of a poor clearance to hit a long volley into the top corner past Rais M’Bolhi. No. 7 Dillon Serna
DC United vs. Colorado Rapids
August 17, 2014
Dillon Serna is in the running to be a part of the United States Olympic team in 2016 and this goal showcases his talent. Taking a high, bouncing ball from behind him, the Colorado native hit a perfect left-footed shot from distance past Bill Hamid. (Not a bad goal celebration, either.) No. 6 Conor O'Brien
Wiener Neustadt vs. Admira
August 23, 2014
It what was one of the wildest games of the year in the Austrian Bundesliga, Wiener Neustadt defeated Admira 5-4. Of the nine goals scored, Long Island’s Conor O’Brien had the nicest when he took a return pass off a short corner kick, split two defenders, and fired a perfect, bending shot into the top corner. No. 5 Fabian Johnson
United States vs. Turkey
June 1, 2014
In the run up to the World Cup, Fabian Johnson hit one of the loveliest goals of the year on a give-and-go with Michael Bradley. Johnson made a bold run and Bradley’s chip over the defense was perfect. Johnson’s finish was not easy with the pass coming from behind him. He still was able to take it out of the air and hit an accurate shot. No. 4 Jack McInerney
Montreal Impact vs. Houston Dynamo
June 29, 2014
The Georgia native showed amazing skill when he finished off a pass from Justin Mapp. The goal took place during the World Cup—nice scheduling, guys!—and therefore did not get the attention it deserved. If you missed it then, enjoy it now. No. 3 Dax McCarty
New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution
August 2, 2014
Dax McCarty’s chip against the New England Revolution was nothing short of magnificent. With the Red Bulls reduced to 10 men and down a goal, McCarty’s goal sparked a game-winning rally. The play began with McCarty receiving a poor pass but still managing to control the ball in a tight spot. He then hit one of the nicer chips you’ll see. No. 2 Alejandro Bedoya
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Nantes
December 6, 2014
Alejandro Bedoya turned heads when he gave Nantes a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute against a powerful PSG team. Unfortunately, two goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave PSG the win but Bedoya’s beauty was the talk of the game. No 1. Jermaine Jones
United States vs. Portugal
June 22, 2014
It is now a goal that needs no introduction. On the game’s biggest stage, Jones delivered in spectacular fashion with one of the greatest goals in U.S. national team history. Without this goal the U.S. team does not advance out of the Group of Death. Which of these is your favorite? Did we leave one out that should made the list? Share your take in the Comments section below.
Utrecht vs. PEC Zwolle
February 6, 2014
Juan Agudelo’s curious search for a new club hasn't played out well for the 22-year-old, and he hasn't played a game since May. But when he went on loan to Utrecht early in the year, he scored this dandy which really displays his quality as a forward. No. 9 Graham Zusi
Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire
October 10, 2014
Graham Zusi looked sluggish in recent months—which is understandable considering he had an intense January and a busy World Cup in addition to the MLS season. But this goal showed a lot of skill with a nice first touch to eventually set up a left-footed finish. No. 8 Sam Cronin
Philadelphia Union vs. San Jose Earthquakes
August 24, 2014
This goal came out of nowhere but on the play Sam Cronin took advantage of a poor clearance to hit a long volley into the top corner past Rais M’Bolhi. No. 7 Dillon Serna
DC United vs. Colorado Rapids
August 17, 2014
Dillon Serna is in the running to be a part of the United States Olympic team in 2016 and this goal showcases his talent. Taking a high, bouncing ball from behind him, the Colorado native hit a perfect left-footed shot from distance past Bill Hamid. (Not a bad goal celebration, either.) No. 6 Conor O'Brien
Wiener Neustadt vs. Admira
August 23, 2014
It what was one of the wildest games of the year in the Austrian Bundesliga, Wiener Neustadt defeated Admira 5-4. Of the nine goals scored, Long Island’s Conor O’Brien had the nicest when he took a return pass off a short corner kick, split two defenders, and fired a perfect, bending shot into the top corner. No. 5 Fabian Johnson
United States vs. Turkey
June 1, 2014
In the run up to the World Cup, Fabian Johnson hit one of the loveliest goals of the year on a give-and-go with Michael Bradley. Johnson made a bold run and Bradley’s chip over the defense was perfect. Johnson’s finish was not easy with the pass coming from behind him. He still was able to take it out of the air and hit an accurate shot. No. 4 Jack McInerney
Montreal Impact vs. Houston Dynamo
June 29, 2014
The Georgia native showed amazing skill when he finished off a pass from Justin Mapp. The goal took place during the World Cup—nice scheduling, guys!—and therefore did not get the attention it deserved. If you missed it then, enjoy it now. No. 3 Dax McCarty
New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution
August 2, 2014
Dax McCarty’s chip against the New England Revolution was nothing short of magnificent. With the Red Bulls reduced to 10 men and down a goal, McCarty’s goal sparked a game-winning rally. The play began with McCarty receiving a poor pass but still managing to control the ball in a tight spot. He then hit one of the nicer chips you’ll see. No. 2 Alejandro Bedoya
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Nantes
December 6, 2014
Alejandro Bedoya turned heads when he gave Nantes a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute against a powerful PSG team. Unfortunately, two goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave PSG the win but Bedoya’s beauty was the talk of the game. No 1. Jermaine Jones
United States vs. Portugal
June 22, 2014
It is now a goal that needs no introduction. On the game’s biggest stage, Jones delivered in spectacular fashion with one of the greatest goals in U.S. national team history. Without this goal the U.S. team does not advance out of the Group of Death. Which of these is your favorite? Did we leave one out that should made the list? Share your take in the Comments section below.
