Lamar Neagle had a case of déjà vu on Friday night at CenturyLink Field.
Back in 2011, Neagle made something out of nothing to score his first MLS goal at Rio Tinto Stadium, putting a right-footed shot from 22 yards out just beyond the reach of Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando. On Friday, his lightning bolt goal in the 38th minute was reminiscent of that strike, this time coming in from the right side and with his left-foot. The result was the same jaw-dropping stunner of a goal in a Sounders FC victory over one of Seattle’s most competitive rivals.
“That was fantastic. That came out of nowhere. You’re not necessarily expecting him to shoot that one,” Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid said. “He scored a great one against Salt Lake in Salt Lake a few years ago. This one was coming from the other side with the other foot. … I don’t think Nicky wants to see him shooting from that distance too often.”
The goal equalized the match after Salt Lake nabbed an early 1-0 lead, shifting momentum to Sounders FC on its home pitch at CenturyLink Field while also drawing reactions of amazement from his teammates. In a year that has seen its share of highlight goals, none have drawn the head-shaking bemusement in the stands and the locker room.
“Ridiculous,” Brad Evans said. “I don’t know how he strikes the ball like that, but he seems to do it a couple of times a year. When he gets ahold of it, he gets ahold of it. Just a phenomenal strike. When one of your teammates scores a goal like that, it’s a boost to everybody.”
It was the first goal Neagle had scored since June. The Federal Way native now has one goal and one assist in the last two matches, giving him six goals and six assists on the season.
In addition to both goals being impressive strikes, they were both timely goals, too. His goal in 2011 started Seattle toward a 2-1 victory to end Salt Lake’s 29-match home unbeaten streak, and his goal on Friday helped Seattle clinch its sixth consecutive playoff berth.
After the match, Neagle took a moment to appreciate the grandeur of his goal.
“That’s going to be my favorite goal,” Neagle smiled. “But a close second is my first goal against Nick Rimando.”
