Editor's Note: With 2016 winding to a close, SoundersFC.com is taking a look back at the top 10 plays of the Seattle Sounders' 2016 season. We'll release the full list over the course of the week, with the final play being announced on Dec. 31. Take a look at the Honorable Mentions here.
The Sounders will kick off the 2017 season on Saturday, March 4 against the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium.
No. 10: Osvaldo Alonso's golazo vs. LA Galaxy | Sept. 25
Defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso does not score many goals, but the ones he does are usually reserved for the highlight reel.
That was exactly the case in the Sounders’ huge 4-2 win over the Galaxy at StubHub Center in late September. The Sounders fell behind 1-0 early, but they rattled off an unfathomable four unanswered goals punctuated by Alonso’s 30-yard screamer in the 78th minute.
An attempted pass from Nicolas Lodeiro hit referee Armando Villarreal in the leg. Alonso reacted quickly to the fluky play, collected the ball, took one touch to his right and unleashed a howitzer to the far post that sailed past goalkeeper Brian Rowe.
Alonso’s strike was the exclamation point in what turned out to be a banner afternoon in southern California, as the Sounders’ long shot at a playoff berth suddenly felt within reach.