With the COVID-19 outbreak causing chaos worldwide, Major League Soccer today extended the suspension of league play until May.
With no Orlando City SC fixture scheduled until May 10th at the very earliest, Orlando City UK used this self-isolation period to compile what we think are the Lions’ 10 best goals in MLS to date.
Sifting through the last five full seasons of video action replays, I’ve ordered this top 10 list from great to greatest with other honourable mentions included too for good measure.
Within this countdown, you’ll find a mixture of fantastic distance shots, historic strikes, skilled golazos, and as Miguel Gallardo would say, your fair share of certified bangers!
So without further ado, here are Orlando City UK’s top 10 Orlando City SC goals in MLS from 2015 to 2020.
Are these Orlando City SC’s 10 best goals in MLS so far?
10. Chris Mueller @ Seattle Sounders – May 15, 2019
Skip to 3:09 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Now in his third season as an Orlando City SC player, Chris Mueller still can’t shake the super sub tag.
And this is probably why! A little over five minutes after subbing in for Josué Colmán, “Cash” made another instant impact from the bench, somewhat his trademark.
After tremendous work from Dillon Powers to thwart Seattle Sounders from clearing their lines, Chris Mueller went on a mazy solo run before burying one beyond a helpless Stefan Frei.
Rooting one of Major League Soccer’s best stoppers isn’t easy but Mueller achieved it.
9. Kaká vs Sporting Kansas City – May 13, 2017
Skip to 4:29 (Credit: Sporting Kansas City)
His first of three separate entries in this top 10 countdown alone, who could ignore the finesse that Kaká brought to Orlando City SC?
Putting the Lions on the map, the 2007 Ballon d’Or winner saved one of his classiest moves for a game against Sporting Kansas City.
Scoring City’s second goal in a 2-2 home draw, Kaká effortlessly cushioned a Scott Sutter centre with his chest, bamboozling both Ilie and Ike Opara before cooly slotting beyond Tim Melia.
Pure poetry from the great man!
8. Kaká vs New York City FC – March 8, 2015
(Credit: Major League Soccer)
The most beautiful deflection in the history of the football world, ever!
To everybody else, this was just Kaká saving our opening day blushes in the nick of time. To us, it was the start of our love affair with this glorious club.
Officially Orlando City SC‘s first ever goal in Major League Soccer history, this deflected stoppage time strike meant so much more than merely cancelling out Mix Diskerud’s opener.
7. Carlos Rivas vs Colorado Rapids – April 29, 2017
(Credit: Nación Púrpura)
Within Orlando City SC circles, only one man comes to mind at the sheer mention of “Rocket Man”.
Unfortunately, it was all too often Row Z rather than top corner when describing Carlos Rivas‘ abilities from range!
He did get it right one time though, and it was impressive enough to make our top 10.
The Colorado Rapids defenders looked on in sheer disbelief as the Colombian unleashed a furious 70th minute drive that Zac MacMath had absolutely no chance of saving.
With Kaká adding another goal in stoppage time, this was a solid day at the office.
6. Adrian Winter vs Real Salt Lake – March 6, 2016
Skip to 4:43 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
What are the odds of retrieving a 0-2 home deficit with just 120 seconds of stoppage time remaining? Pretty minimal right?
Well, Orlando City SC laughed in the face of probability in their 2016 home opener against Real Salt Lake.
On a boiling hot day at the cavernous Citrus Bowl, Adrian Winter conspired to prod home a beautiful last ditch punt up the field by Servando Carrasco.
Goals simply don’t come later than this and to think that Cyle Larin started this miraculous comeback just seconds earlier, one point truly felt like all three.
5. Dom Dwyer vs Portland Timbers – April 8, 2018
Skip to 3:07 (Credit: Orlando City SC)
Sure, Adrian Winter‘s buzzer beater at number 6 was dramatic but this time, Orlando City SC went one better in rescuing not one point but all three.
Completely overturning a 0-2 home deficit in just seven minutes, this remarkable feat was made even more impressive by the fact all three goals were scored in the final 10 minutes of the game!
After a goal from sub Chris Mueller and penalty from Sacha Kljestan tied it 2-2, all the momentum was with the Lions kicking towards The Wall – and boy, did Portland Timbers know it.
In the 87th minute, a confident Dom Dwyer was the man of the hour, superbly overcoming a loss of balance before spinning past Larrys Mabiala and Bill Tuiloma, and tucking it beyond Jake Gleeson.
Cue a trademark somersault from Dom and absolute ecstasy from the Iron Lion Firm and Ruckus.
4. Nani vs New England Revolution – September 14, 2019
Skip to 2:34 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
When Orlando City SC signed Nani out of the blue in February 2019, the UEFA Euro 2016 winner’s arrival galvanised the fanbase after some tough campaigns.
We all knew we could expect some stardust from the former Manchester United man and my word, he produced against New England Revolution last September.
Sealing another crazy comeback, this time from 0-3 down at home, Nani‘s incredible 53rd minute strike all started with Ruan from wide.
After the Brazilian saw his cross cleared by the Revs defence, Nani was the quickest to react.
Leaving Diego Fagúndez and Luis Caicedo’s heads in a spin, the Portuguese quickly jinked right before switching to his left foot to send a screaming strike beyond Matt Turner who had no answer.
As Miguel Gallardo said, this one’s a certified banger!
3. Brek Shea vs Portland Timbers – April 3, 2016
Skip to 0:18 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Memories of Brek Shea‘s spell at Orlando City SC are growing foggy now but nobody can forget his amazing strike past Portland Timbers in April 2016.
This was the ultimate one-two and it’s no surprise Kaká was the man with the assist.
After combining with the Brazilian on the edge of the Timbers’ 18-yard box, Shea took everybody by surprise by lashing a one-time drive beyond Adam Kwarasey who had no chance.
2. Kaká @ Atlanta United – July 29, 2017
Skip to 1:53 (Credit: Atlanta United FC)
Maybe it’s impossible to enjoy this Kaká strike even more but perhaps we all should’ve given how games have gone against Atlanta United ever since!
In Orlando City SC‘s first ever visit to Atlanta, this time at Bobby Dodd Stadium, the former FIFA World Player of the Year showed over 40,000 Atlanta United fans just who’s boss.
In the 40th minute, Kaká opened the scoring in extraordinary fashion.
After Joe Bendik sent a goal kick long, Cyle Larin neatly cushioned it, fending off Jeff Larentowicz before laying it right into the path of Kaká who struck it one time from distance – and how!
1. Will Johnson @ Montreal Impact – June 1, 2019
Skip to 1:58 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
A goal Orlando City UK was lucky enough to witness live, Will Johnson‘s goal at Montreal Impact away is my number one Orlando City SC strike in MLS so far.
The beauty of a perfect team goal is something I just couldn’t resist placing at number one. Johnson’s goal itself was somewhat routine but the build-up was simply sensational.
Racing into a rare 0-2 first-half lead, wild man Will all but ended the contest with a diving header that followed a long passage of unchallenged Orlando City SC passing.
This was honestly like watching Barcelona’s tiki-taka at its best, so much so that even Matt Doyle couldn’t help but applaud, and I quote, a “gorgeous” play and our “best team goal” scored to date.
This honestly might be the best team goal Orlando City have ever scored. Gorgeous. pic.twitter.com/4qMfdkm8l5
— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) June 1, 2019
Other honourable mentions
While we’re at it, here are five more sumptuous Orlando City SC strikes that just missed the cut.
Were any of these worthy of crashing our top 10 shortlist above?
Chris Mueller vs San Jose Earthquakes – April 21, 2018
Skip to 0:12 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Nani vs Los Angeles FC – September 7, 2019
Skip to 0:53 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Scott Sutter vs Atlanta United – April 24, 2018
Skip to 1:12 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Cristian Higuita @ Colorado Rapids – April 29, 2018
Skip to 1:55 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Pedro Ribeiro vs Columbus Crew – May 30, 2015
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