Over the last couple of weeks there hasn’t been much to cheer about in Whitecaps-land. Another defeat at the hands of the LA Galaxy, followed by what was simply the worst performance this season at home versus the Portland Timbers.
The consecutive losses push the Caps out of a playoff spot and leave the team and its supporters asking questions regarding the club’s resolve when it comes to performing during critical phases in the season.
But we here at PITH see no reason to dwell on the pessimism (we’ll let the other media outlets take care of that). So, instead, we simply look into the past to a moment in time where one savoured being a Whitecaps fan.
In this, our initial post of an on-going series, we take our first glimpse back at the history of the Whitecaps’ Goal of the Week winners.
The year was 2011 and Vancouver was still getting to know their MLS team. On June 11, just three months into their inaugural season, the Whitecaps were taking on the Seattle Sounders in their first Cascadia matchup in Major League Soccer.
Adele’s Rolling In The Deep was in the middle of a six-week run atop the Billboard music charts, the Arab Spring was in full bloom across the middle east and the Vancouver Canucks were just one day removed from a game five victory in the Stanley Cup Finals…
…and Frenchman Eric Hassli was scoring what is considered to be one of the most beautiful goals in Whitecaps history.
Included for your viewing pleasure below are all of the GOTW nominees, including Alan Gordon, who spent about twelve minutes as a Vancouver Whitecap during the 2011 expansion draft. There are some remarkable efforts contained within (not the least of which is a gorgeous one-on-four effort by FC Dallas striker Brek Shea).
Hassli’s goal is widely regarded as one of the premier goals ever scored in MLS, drumming up exposure for the league the World over. The Whitecaps striker was nominated for the Best Play award at the ESPYs and has the distinction of being the only MLS player to be nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award thanks to this sublime strike.
Play DNA
Not a whole lot to this one as it was a magnificent effort on net from Eric Hassli. Camilo helped by applying some pressure and forcing Sounders defenceman Jhon Kennedy Hurtado to play the ball forward. Ozzy Alonso (who just a minute earlier had scored to put the Sounders in front) helped by nonchalantly poking at the ball instead of corralling the pass at the edge of the 18.
Hassli then stepped in, chipped the ball to himself and launched a swerving volley over keeper Kasey Keller who could do nothing but wave at the ball as it sailed far-side post and in.
And just in case you didn’t get enough of the tally in the previous highlight package, you can watch Hassli’s reaction (through a translator and some broken english) to his ESPY nomination and his thoughts on his magnificent golazo below.
Returning to the present day, up next for the Whitecaps is a home date versus the Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United on Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 pm at BC Place stadium. A win will bring the Caps back into a playoff position — for a day, anyway, as Portland plays San Jose on the sabbath.