Just five nominees remain in contention for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Decade and the final round of voting is underway on the League's official Web site, www.MLSnet.com. Fans have until March 6 to vote for their favorite goal among the five finalists, but they can view the original 30 nominees all season long. Participants may vote up to 10 times per day.
The competition began February 7 with a field of nominees consisting of three Goal of the Year finalists from each season in the first decade of Major League Soccer. Among those 30 goals were 12 stunning volleys, six bicycle kicks, five free kicks, four dribble runs, and one "Gol Olimpico" directly off a corner kick. All of those finalists were selected through fan voting. Thus, fans can begin influencing the next Goal of the Decade competition by participating in the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week voting, which begins after the 2006 MLS season kicks off on April 1.
The five remaining nominees are:
1996 - Brian McBride, Columbus Crew
Tracking down an 85-yard punt from his goalkeeper, McBride flicks the ball with his head - to himself - as he rounds a defender and volleys inside the far-post.
2003 - Carlos Ruiz, Los Angeles Galaxy
Cobi Jones swoops in and crosses the ball back to Ruiz, who uses a well-placed bicycle kick to score in style.
2003 - John Wolyniec, MetroStars
Sprinting beneath a long free kick from midfield by Amado Guevara, Wolyniec stretches to connect on a game-winning volley to the far post.
2005 - Carlos Ruiz, FC Dallas
Ruiz finishes Roberto Mina's delicate chip pass with a bicycle kick that wrong-foots the United goalkeeper.
2005 - Dewayne De Rosario, San Jose Earthquakes
De Rosario's free kick seems to defy physics as it bends around the Galaxy wall and into the upper near corner of the net.
The voting schedule follows:
1. February 7 - 13: Voting for top 20 goals from original 30 nominees.
2. February 13 - 20: Voting for top 10 goals from the top 20 nominees.
3. February 20 - 27: Voting for top 5 goals from the top 10 nominees.
4. February 27 - March 6: Voting for Sierra Mist MLS Goal of the Decade from top five nominees.
5. The Sierra Mist Goal of the Decade will be announced on March 7, 2006.
