Goal of the Matchday

Orlando's Benji Michel wins AT&T Goal of the Week after late Week 23 strike

Orlando City SC forward Benji Michel scored one of the club’s most important MLS goals to date, and now he’s won Goal of the Week honors for Week 23.


Michel scored a game-winner in the 84th minute of Orlando’s crucial midweek match against Columbus Crew SC, which resulted in a 2-1 win, top-four berth in the Eastern Conference and home match in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs. Michel took home 59.23% of the total vote, nearly tripling up the closest challenger, a strike made even more dramatic by how the Lions were playing with 10 men after Nani received a 52nd-minute red card.


Second place went to San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski, who extended his lead atop the MLS all-time goals leaderboard to 166. Wondolowski cushioned home a back-post cross in a 3-2 win over LAFC, which helped San Jose clinch a Western Conference playoff spot.


As for third place, it went to Colorado Rapids midfielder Kellyn Acosta with 11.21% of the vote. Acosta bent home a beautiful right-footed shot in their 1-0 win at the Portland Timbers, which also clinched a Western Conference playoff spot.


LA Galaxy star Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez took up fourth place with 4.29% of the vote, scoring his second goal since coming to MLS, this one capping off a team move. Columbus right back Harrison Afful, who blasted home a left-footed screamer, brought up the rear in fifth place with 3.52% of the vote.


You can watch all the nominated goals again below, and check out every AT&T Goal of the Week winner here.