After announcing the winners of the 2018 Fans’ Choice Midseason Awards this past Wednesday, we now turn to the best moments of the first half of the season after a week of voting on USLSoccer.com. Here are your winners of the 2018 Fans’ Choice Midseason Moments.
It didn’t take long for Soony Saad to endear himself to the fans at Indy Eleven, with his remarkable swerving free kick against Nashville SC in the club’s second home game of the season leaving the crowd and commentators stunned, NSC goalkeeper Matt Pickens befuddled, and the producers at ESPN’s SportsCenter highly impressed.
Fans' Choice Midseason Moments - Best SC Top 10
Soony Saad, Indy Eleven vs. Nashville SC - 40%
Kenney Walker, FC Cincinnati at Ottawa Fury FC - 36%
Jemal Johnson, Fresno FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2 - 11%
Having scored a late equalizer at Children’s Mercy Park, Saint Louis FC needed a miraculous goal-line clearance by center back Sam Fink to preserve a draw in stoppage time. The brilliance of the clearance – where Fink contorted to use his chest to redirect a header by Swope Park’s Rodrigo Saravia – left the commentators stunned and in turn earned almost half the ballot from the fans.
Fans' Choice Midseason Moments - Best Goal-Line Clearance
Sam Fink, Saint Louis FC at Swope Park Rangers - 45%
Ayoze, Indy Eleven at Nashville SC - 38%
Paco Craig, Louisville City FC vs. FC Cincinnati - 8%
Penn FC claimed the honor for best comeback after their remarkable rally against defending USL Cup champion Louisville City FC at Slugger Field. The visitors appeared to be sunk after Louisville had taken a two-goal lead just before the halftime break, but goals by Lucky Mkosana and Prince Baffoe saw Penn fight back to claim a 3-3 draw with six minutes to go.
Fans' Choice Midseason Moments - Best Comeback
Penn FC at Louisville City FC, June 16 - 45%
Phoenix Rising FC vs. LA Galaxy II, May 4 - 19%
Reno 1868 FC at Sacramento Republic FC, May 12 - 15%
Lucas Oil Stadium was also the venue for what fans selected as the best ending to a game so far this season, with the wild contest between Indy Eleven and Charleston Battery seeing the hosts score what looked like a dramatic game-winner through Ayoze in stoppage time, only for Charleston’s Tah Anunga to immediately respond in a thrilling 3-3 draw between the Eastern Conference contenders.
Fans' Choice Midseason Moments - Best Ending
Indy Eleven vs. Charleston Battery, May 30 - 60%
Louisville City FC vs. Richmond Kickers, April 14 - 14.3%
Nashville SC vs. North Carolina FC, June 16 - 13.8%
Indy Eleven’s fans certainly announced their presence in the USL with a bang at its home opener at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 31, and its Stranger Things-themed tifo featuring Eleven and the warning “You’d Better Run” was a clear winner in this category. With the club averaging five-figure attendances this season and in line for a run at the USL Cup Playoffs, Indy has been a tremendous addition to the USL this season.
Fans' Choice Midseason Moments - Best Tifo
Brickyard Battalion, Stranger Things - 44%
St. Louligans, A New Hope - 26%
The Pride, Streamer Things - 21%