From Deseret News archives:
Ruiz's bicycle kick for a goal one to remember for FC Dallas
Yep, Week 9 will definitely be remembered for two incredible goals.
Who doesn't love a bicycle kick? Players can go an entire career and never successfully convert a bicycle kick — a leaping overhead kick with your back to the goal. There are two very common outcomes when a player attempts a bicycle kick: He either misses, and looks ridiculous, or he actually connects, only to see the ball soar into the stands completely off target.
Somehow, however, that didn't happen to FC Dallas' Ruiz.
In the 49th minute, the stars, planets and moon all aligned for Ruiz who somehow found himself unmarked in the middle of the box when Roberto Mina's lofted chip pass came floating his way. Ruiz calmly leapt, made contact with the ball, and watched it soar past stunned D.C. United keeper Nick Rimando.
The most underrated aspect of the goal was Mina's ridiculous pass. With three defenders closing in on him near the right-hand side of the box, he swung his foot like it was a pitching wedge to center a perfect ball to Ruiz.
While Ruiz's tally was all flair, Djorkaeff's was a powerful strike that MLS fans aren't used to seeing. It was the type of goal you'd expect to see in the English Premiere League or Bundesliga. It's only fitting Djorkaeff unleashed a European-esque goal, after all, the 37-year-old spent his entire professional career overseas before signing with the MetroStars this year.
In the 38th minute, he collected an Eddie Gaven pass in space, faked ever so slightly to his left to shake defender Frankie Hejduk, and then fired the shot on goal. The magical knuckle ball curved away from Columbus goalie Jon Busch and into the upper left-hand corner of the goal.
"It was my first goal in America. It was a gift to all of my American fans," Djorkaeff told reporters after the game.
As Djorkaeff continues adjusting to the American game, and continues to improve his fitness level, he'll only get better and better for the streaking MetroStars. That's a scary proposition for Eastern Conference foes, because Djorkaeff might already be the most creative passer in the league.
During his 20-year professional career, the French playmaker played in four different leagues and on seven different teams. Those stops were: Grenoble, AS Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, FC Kaiserslautern, Bolton and Blackburn.
He was also the starting midfielder on France's 1998 World Cup title team.
Other goal-of-the-week nominees were Chicago's Chris Armas and Chad Barrett, along with the MetroStars' Eddie Gaven.
Fans can vote for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week at www.mlsnet.com.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com
