This year kicked-off with a promise to bring forth a massive amount of soccer tournaments and the one that started earlier was the major league season (MLS). If you haven’t been following the season then let me reveal that you have missed the wave of some top-notch excitement. But, rest easy because we shall attempt to revive the essence of those exciting moments and that is what this “Tri-Sports comeback series” is all about. Where previously, Jodcarey brilliantly presented the greatest tennis grand slam comebacks and talesfrmcrypt's exquisitely portrayed the recovery of teams after extended losing streaks in test cricket. Currently, with the ball in my court or turn of the innings, i present you the best MLS comebacks in this season.
- A perfect prank with LAFC for the fool's day:
The sunny afternoon before the first day of April brought LA Galaxy against LAFC and the match turned out to be nothing less than a comprehensive pack of amusement. Even though LAG was already thriving under the brilliant skills of a bright striker ‘Kamara’ but, the club manager Kinnear felt that they required a hammer to deliver some finishing knocks. In the list of such goalsmiths, there are a very few names and arguably the best of them is 'Zlatan'. However, a lot of controversy was following this legend owing to his absence from the other league matches caused by a serious knee injury. Also, with his age approaching to a high figure of 36, his fans assumed that the lion might spend the rest of the days in his den. But, LAG was ready to bet on this old horse and this "LAG vs LAFC" was announced the debut match of the legendary striker.
Would it be a remarkable comeback of the legend? Fruitful for LAG or..?
The match started with a serious shock to the LAG fans because in the excitement of Zlatan’s debut everyone had overlooked the dangerous moves of LAFC’s forward Carlos Vela. Within the first 5 minutes of the game he captured all the spotlight by shooting an amazing in-swinger from outside the D, which comfortably dodged the defense line including the goal keeper.
LAG 0-1 LAFC
We could see major attacks by the LAFC strikers from the left side of the LAG’s end probably due to a bit slower reflexes of the defender Cole even though he had got a lot of experience but, he seemed to be a bit out of form. It wasn’t long after that LAFC’s forward D. Rossi charged again from the left but found that the LAG had managed to seal the side. Finding no space for penetration, Rossi tossed the ball to Vela who was rocketing in from the right. A breath-stopping moment followed when LAG’s goal keeper Bingham analyzing a relatively shallower defense on the side made a leap-slide to the ball. Vela in response demonstrated a complete grasp on nerves, dodged the keeper with a quick turn, took his time and banggg.
LAG 0-2 LAFC
The commentators, the crowd and the whole team went crazy in celebrations. LAFC kept dominating the game even after the half-time with almost giving no room to LAG’s attack. That wasn’t just it, LAFC was not done yet, it was 47th minute of the match when LAFC’s striker Urena brought himself into a position to receive a long pass from Blessing with LAG’s defender Steres running in parallel to catch-up with him. Urena finding himself at an extreme narrow angle with the goal post attempted a cross to Vela on the left, which unfortunately got intercepted by the LAG’s own defender Steres and landed into net.
LAG 0-3 LAFC
Dead silence in the LAG’s stand while a huge celebrations at the LAFC’s. But, salute to the LAG’s players who had a firm belief and enough motivation to carry on the attacks and that paid-off well when Carrasco managed to snatch the ball from LAFC’s defender and passed it on to LAG’s amazing midfielder Sabastian who shot it into goal with a lightening one-touch.
LAG 1-3 LAFC
That apart, but a question was lurking on everyone’s mind including myself “Where was Zlatan and was he coming to play?”. The call of the hearts were answered and the match had to take yet another turn when finally Zlatan entered the ground in 70th minute of the match with loud enchanting of the desperately awaiting fans. Was it his threat on the opponents which caused their legs to shake or a warm welcome by his team members, LAG’s midfielder Pontius instantly landed a header goal and celebrations continued..
LAG 2-3 LAFC
Then came the remarkable moment of the whole match and probably the one that would be imprinted in the memories of the viewers for decades. LAG’s defender cleared the incoming ball with a header towards Zlatan standing just ahead of the center-line. I am not sure what was he thinking, but they say that lions don’t think, they do and in that instant Zlatanism happened. The leg of Thor gave lightning speed to the ball which covered many yards in the blink of an eye, passed over the keepers head and landed in the net. COULD YOU BELIEVE IT!! (Goosebumpsss) I am sure, even LAFC's GK got them
LAG 3- 3 LAFC
- His first goal in MLS,
- 501st of his professional career,
- An equalizer for the team
Commentators: “LAFC has just been zlatandd.. welcome to MLSs.. take a boww..”
If you have seen zlatan’s karate shoots then you are lucky, and if you have seen a header by him then you are blessed. All of us became luckily blessed to witness both, where the amazing header of this insanely tall “God of goals” at the extra time (91 minutes) concluded the remarkable victory of LA Galaxy over LAFC. Unbelievable.
LAG 4-3 LAFC
Oh yes, we probably joined in for the legend’s comeback but, got the LAG’s comeback as a bonus. All hail to the mighty..
2. Orlando City was back with a vengeance:
Orlando city had not been performing well for quite some seasons and managed to win only 25% of their match-ups while, timbers were demonstrating some top of the shelves performance with an average 1:1 win ratio. But, make no mistake, even though timbers were the MLS champs in 2015, they faced defeat by Orlando city in numerous encounters and the streak was maintained until the last season, where timbers whitewashed Orlando city with 3-0 and OC was in quest of a revenge.
The game started and the first main event befell at about 18th minute of the match, where Blanco received a quick one-touch pass from Valeri rolling towards D and the midfielder leaped towards it. Here, Orlando's defender El Monir attempted a slide tackle and knocked the legs of Blanco off the ground. The referee assumed that was an offensive move by Blanco instead and gave him a yellow card, which added up to his previously conceived yellow at the 8th minute, resulting in a red card. Portland players went crazy along with the commentators and appealed for a review.
The referee had to revise his decision and gave a penalty kick to timbers instead. Taking advantage of the golden opportunity, Valeri unleashed his shooting power and the ball landed in the left corner of the Orlando's goal post. Goallll
Orlando 0-1 Portland
There was a visible increase in attack by Orlando players and finding an opportunity in the extra time of the first half, Meram delivered an unexpected deflection to an accurately approaching header. The ball flying towards the goal with a certain score but, wait.. what! The electric fast reflexes of the Orlando city's keeper (Gleeson) buried the hopes of the attacker into dust and maintained the timber’s lead.
Within 5 minutes of the start of second half, timber's striker Armenteros received the ball owing to the neat and beautiful combo produced by his team-mates. With full calculations and energy he took his shot, beating the keeper but unfortunately finding the lower end of the pole only to get a rebound, which ended up in a failed attempt by Bolanco. The game continued and timbers again found a golden opportunity at 48th minute but, it seemed like the Orlando city was playing with 11 players and a pole on their side for it was again a bad luck for timbers with Valeri to face the disappointment this time. A wave of frustration could be felt running among the players and equally for their fans as they almost jumped high off their seats for the third time only to land back with nothing in hands.
On the other end, it seemed like the lord of woods was willing to bless the timbers once again, it was about 58th minute of the game, when a stunning cross found the head of Bill who perfectly angled it to completely dodge the city's defense and Goallll
Orlando 0-2 Portland
Everything was set to perfectly match the levels of the predictions and expectations made before the match-up and Portland was delivering what they were trained to. With tug-of-war scenario for the possession of the ball, the match entered the final stage with the clock ticking at around 78th minute. This time city's striker Dwyer received an amazing down the ground cross straight to his feet and bang, but concluding it as a missed opportunity by an unaligned shot at the goal. Desperation prevailed the ground for Orlando city's side but, who knew that some magic potion was still contained, and was supposed to set free at 80th minute of the match using the perfect flick through the head of Mueller (substituted in at 67th min of the match). Goall
Orlando 1-2 Portland
Orlando's fans went crazy with joy, but they could feel through their very bones that they had miles to go even just to level the score. The fans hardly found their seats back when right the next minute Orlando was found again in the timber's D where a quick move of Dwyer was dangerously obstructed by the timber's defender and referee without a seconds pause, gave penalty kick to Orlando city. Obviously, how could the ball dare to miss the net when it got a midfielder like Kljestan behind it..
Orlando 2-2 Portland
Now was the unbelievable celebration time for Orlando fans. Smoke, dance, jumps, shouts and what not, the Orlando fans gave their all to the excitement. Only if they knew that they would be asked for more just 4 minutes later.. that's right, soccer is an incredible game. Dwyer received an accurate long pass and following the heat of the moment showed some crazy fast 120 degree turn, completely dodging the two defenders at the same time, firing the ball right in the net. All hell broke loose.. Coulddd youuu imaginee!! 3 goals in last 12 minutes of the match to turn over the deep rooted throne of timbers.
Orlando 3-2 Portland
(Vengeance was served with probably one of the best comebacks by Orlando city ever)
Which one of them was your favorite comeback?
Hope you enjoyed, stay tuned and don't forget to look out for the next episode in the Tri-Sports Super Comeback Series about Tennis by @Jodcarey
Previous Episodes:
Introduction to Tri-Sports Super Comeback Series
Episode 1 - The Greatest Tennis Grand Slam Comebacks from Injuries and Crisis
Episode 2 - The greatest Test Match comebacks after extended losing streaks (Tri-Sports Super Comeback Series)
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