2018 produced outstanding goals from all over the State, including the NPSL Goal of the Year. My favorite was a cheeky effort from San Antonio FC’s Ever Guzman in July, that ended up being one of the easiest goals scored this year by the time it was in the net. I can’t pretend to have seen every goal scored in the thousands of matches played in Texas this year, but I have identified some of the goals that made an impression on me here. My apologies to the goal scorers I may have missed.
The Contenders
FC Dallas defender Reggie Cannon’s first career goal against Vancouver on May 19 was a proverbial cracker. Great restart too.
Houston Dynamo loan player Eric Bird, in one of his infrequent appearances in the Valley, scored an ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 Play of the Day goal
Houston Dynamo forward Rommel Quioto’s stunning free kick to equalize in the July 18 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinal victory
San Antonio FC forward Alex Bruce’s long range bomb on July 4th against OKC Energy ….a finalist for USL Fan Choice Goal of the Year
Ft. Worth Vaqueros midfielder Jamie Lovegrove’s free kick on June 23rd against FC Brownsville was the 2018 NPSL Goal of the Year winner
Rio Grande Valley midfielder Jesus “Chuy” Enriquez’s superb May 9th free kick goal against Fresno FC…USL Fan Choice Goal of the Month for May
The Favorite Goal of the Year
Described by USL as ” one of the smartest pieces of trickery we’ve seen on a USL field in a long time.” To my point in the introduction about goal scorers I missed, this goal came shortly after a fantastic free kick from SAFC midfielder Charlie Ward that could also have easily been on this list.
Texas Soccer Journal 