There have been hundreds of great goals from all 113 clubs across the country in Ligue 2 this season. Bicycle kicks, volleys, curlers, and every silly angle and acrobatic move you can think of have taken place in this year’s league.
But with all those goals, these Goal of the Year nominees have left us shocked, blinded and awed. Go ahead and vote for your favourite.
Nathaniel Opoku (VEN) vs Flint City Bucks, 7/31
This goal needs little introduction. Opoku may have had multiple goals nominated for this list, but this represents a very important one. It was a beautiful team goal, with a strong build-up and assist before eventual Playoff Finals MVP Opoku ripped his strike curling from the corner of his box 18 yards. It was the only goal in the national semi-final match and the Ventura County Fusion advanced to the play-off finals and took home the final trophy.
Fernando Garcia (DMN) v St. Croix SC, 5/14
A goal that has captured the hearts of Ligue 2 fans is on the move for the new season. This was his second match of the season for Des Moines, and the undefeated regular began his dominant run into the season. Garcia touched his ball loose in the air from Riley’s Kraft corner, leaped, and Scissors his kick through the back of the net. Garcia is currently in USL League One where he plays for FC Tucson and is called up mid-season.
Alejandro Lopez (MOBA) vs. Dalton Red Wolves, 6/22
Lopez has a tendency to get screamers in South Central Division matches and had some bangers that could go on the list. We chose this bike kick that appeared on ESPN’s Futbol Americas right off the bat. It helped deliver important results in a tough season for the Peachtree City MOBA, and Lopez always made sure the fans had something to cheer for.
Alex Mejia (BAL) vs San Francisco Glens, 7/24
One of the craziest sequences I’ve ever seen to end a game. In the 109th minute of the Western Conference Semifinal match, and this season’s final at Interbay Stadium, the ball went loose and headed for the Glens half of the pitch. Together on top of the , they sent the ball towards the San Francisco goal with a heavy backspin. Mejia picked it up as it bounced backwards, and he kicked it past two defenders on his bike and into the net, sending Ballard to the Western Conference Finals. A goal Seattle fans will never forget.
Sion Soga (ANN) vs Oakland County FC, 6/24
AFC Ann Arbor had a great season, barely missing the playoffs in a tough Great Lakes division behind Kalamazoo FC and Flint City Bucks. Shion Soga set the pace for Ann Arbor with eight goals this season, earning Auckland Goal of the Month for June. The Japanese midfielder will continue playing for the University of South Florida this fall.
