In Day 4 of the 2011 Goal of the Year Tournament, #2 Dominic Oduro’s stealthy flick on August 21 vs. Toronto FC narrowly edged out #3 Diego Chaves immediate response on April 9 at Seattle. With the result, Oduro’s effort moves to the Nowak Region final to take on #1 Marco Pappa’s Hat Trick Clincher next Thursday, November 11.
2011 FIRE GOTY - Day 5 - Which goal was better?
TODAY’S MATCHUP:
We open up play in the Kubik Bracket where another Oduro/Pappa matchup awaits. #2 Pappa’s amazing individual effort on March 26 vs. Sporting KC goes up against #3 Oduro’s blazing run at Vancouver on August 7. The winner moves on to face the victor from next Wednesday’s matchup between #1 Sebastian Grazzini (10/12 vs. FC Dallas) and #4 Diego Chaves (10/15 at DC United) in the Kubik Final on Tuesday, November 15.
The last of his four entries to start the tournament, Pappa’s effort vs. Sporting KC back on Opening Day 2011 was perhaps one of his best ever in a Fire shirt. It also may have been the easiest assist Gonzalo Segares tallied for the Men in Red. Leading 2-1 in the 59th minute, Segares played a quick touch forward for Pappa who collected the ball 30 yards from goal. The Guatemalan international proceeded to dribble through not one, not two but three Sporting defenders to get into the box before firing a low RIGHT-FOOTED shot past Jimmy Nielsen. The goal would stand as Pappa’s game winner and the first of eight scored by the midfielder in 2011.
The third of four Oduro entries in the Goal of the Year tournament, the Ghanaian striker will look to stay perfect with his effort at Vancouver. Trailing 1-0 after a first minute goal from Whitecaps striker Eric Hassli, the Fire would equalize in the 23rd as Pavel Pardo pushed the ball forward for Sebastian Grazzini. The Argentine flicked the ball into the path of the charging Oduro who was off to the races, eventually turning Vancouver’s Alain Rochat inside out before blasting an effort past Jay Nolly.
Vote for your favorite goal by 11:59pm CT tonight at the poll to the right.
Click hereto view the updated 2011 Chicago Fire Goal of the Year bracket or download as a PDF. Visit our 2011 Goal of the Year page here.
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