In Friday’s Day 5 of the 2011 Goal of the Year Tournament, #2 Marco Pappa’s amazing individual effort on March 26 vs. Sporting KC downed #3 Dominic Oduro’s blazing run at Vancouver on August 7, The result keeps the Guatemalan’s top two efforts alive in the tournament while Oduro experienced his first loss of the competition. Pappa’s goal moves to the Final of the Kubik Bracket to be held next Tuesday, November 15 where it awaits the winner of Wednesday’s clash between #1 Sebastian Grazzini (10/12 vs. FC Dallas) and #4 Diego Chaves (10/15 at DC United).
2011 FIRE GOTY - Day 6 - Which goal was better?
TODAY’S MATCHUP:
We close out the Klopas Bracket first round where an all defensive battle looms. #2) Jalil Anibaba’s second header in the October 22 season finale vs. Columbus goes up against #3 Cory Gibbs equalizing header from May 28 vs. San Jose. The winner moves on to next Tuesday’s Klopas Final to take on #1 Dominic Oduro’s looping winner vs. Richmond (August 30).
The first of his two entries to begin the tournament, rookie defender Jaill Anibaba gave Fire fans a few moments of jubilee in 2011 with some spectacular strikes. Despite having been eliminated from the postseason just days before, the Fire still put on a show in their season finale, led by Anibaba as the defender already put the side ahead 1-0 off a Pavel Pardo cross from the left in the 11th minute. Anibaba was the last person you would pick to score a brace on the night but round about the 30th minute, his opponent today (and backline partner) Cory Gibbs sent in another cross from the left, which the UNC product looped over Crew keeper William Hesmer to the back post to give the Fire a 2-0 lead.
Another man that gave Fire fans plenty to cheer about in 2011, Cory Gibbs’ single entry in the tournament proved an important one. With the Fire trailing for the second time in 30 minutes, Marco Pappa and second half substitute Baggio Husidic combined on the right before the latter sent in a whipping cross towards the near post. Breaking free from his marker Steven Lenhart, Gibbs’ diving header redirected the ball just inside the bar and past Quakes’ keeper Jon Busch to equalize and give the Fire a 2-2 home draw.
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 ordownload as a PDF. Visit our 2011 Goal of the Year page here.
If you are using Internet Explorer and cannot view the video below, click here to watch on YouTube.
