The goals on this list were rated by taking into account several factors: difficulty, skill, placement, build-up play, and creativity.
David Villa
David Villa’s goal vs. Philadelphia Union did not take MLS’ AT&T Goal of the Year award, but it should have. In the 2016 season, Villa cranked one from 50 yards out at home against the Union and hit the cross-bar. This past season Villa didn’t miss, surprising everyone at Talen Energy Stadium with his speculative strike.
2. Darlington Nagbe
In April, Darlington Nagbe scored a sublime goal in a Cascadia matchup vs. Vancouver Whitecaps. Nagbe received the ball about 30 yards out, dipping past one defender to then escape past two other tackles. Nagbe was thrown slightly off-balance but still managed to shoot it across his body and put it far post, bar down.
3. Kyle Beckerman
In a 4-1 win against Portland, Kyle Beckerman opened the scoring ten minutes in by ripping one from 30 yards out at a tight angle to put it far post. It’s the first goal in the video below.
4. Sebastian Giovinco
Sebastian Giovinco has been unstoppable from set pieces since coming to the league. Giovinco almost deserves a countdown list on his free kicks alone. The best of the bunch happened to be against Atlanta United in October. From the left side of the field from about 30 yards out, Giovinco curled one upper 90 beating Brad Guzan. Giovinco could not have hit this free kick any better.
5. Hector Villalba
Hector Villalba’s strike against Orlando City won him AT&T Goal of the Year. The 23 year-old Argentinian turned quickly after receiving a throw in and teed it up from a mile out. I placed this goal slightly low due to the lack of any build up, tackles avoided, and a small deduction for it not exactly going upper 90
6. Cristian Techera
Cristian Techera and the Vancouver Whitecaps get the sixth spot on this list with their incredible team goal against Sporting Kansas City. Bolanos beautifully chested down a volleyed cross into the path of Cristian Techera who on the half volley put the ball in the side netting.
7. Giovani dos Santos
Coming in at #7 is Giovani dos Santos’ cheeky finish against Minnesota United. Romain Alessandrini’s outside of the left foot cross went directly to dos Santos who used the outside of his left to slot it into the far post. dos Santos’ finish was not a screamer, but its a finish incredibly hard to re-create.
8. Ike Opara
Opara has only scored 12 goals in his career, but none as spectacular as this bike. Off a cleared free kick, Opara pounced on a bouncing ball staying on his defender’s shoulder like a center forward. As expected, a center back is responsible for the sole bicycle kick on this list.
9. Kaká
Just sneaking into the list is footballing legend, Kaká, and his goal against Atlanta United. Kaká made this finish look easy, despite taking a ball coming across his body first time and blasting it past Brad Guzan. Cyle Larin deserves some props for the assist which he perfectly laid to Kaká after trapping a goal kick with a defender right on his back.
10. Michael Amir Murillo
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Red Bulls Michael Amir Murillo’s delightful chip against D.C United gets him the last spot in the top 10 list. Murillo started the move playing two clever give-and-go’s with Muhamed Keita which led to a one-touch dink over the oncoming keeper.