Top 10 USMNT Goals of 2011

It's that time of year of again. With the Yanks all done for 2011, USSD presents you with the Top 10 USMNT goals of the year.

This is always an enjoyable and well-received post and one of the few traditions we have around these parts; feel free to check out the corresponding lists from 2009 and 2010, as well (a little maintenance may be needed to fix broken links here and there; I'll do my best).

The 2011 list was a little easier to do given the relatively low level of scoring (just 16 goals total, two of which came from the penalty spot), but fun nonetheless and not without some tough decisions to make. The ranking criteria was some arbitrary mix of aesthetics and importance, as usual.

As always, I encourage you to voice your opinion in the comments section below or on Twitter, whether you agree, disagree, or simply want to relive some of the highlights of 2011.

Enjoy!


Honorable Mentions

Jermaine Jones v. Jamaica
Jozy Altidore v. Canada

Both of these goals had some nice elements to them- the quick turn and release from Jozy, and the sweetly timed volley from Jones- but they both also got a lot of help from the opposition. With some better goalkeeping from Canada and without a fortunate deflection from a Jamaican defender, both of these goals probably wouldn't have happened, and so they got knocked down a few pegs in the rankings.


10. Michael Bradley v. Mexico: Bradley opened the scoring in the Gold Cup final with this lovely glancing header at the near post off of a quality corner kick from Freddy Adu.




9. Robbie Rogers v. Mexico: The first goal of the Klinsmann era was a pretty one, with Juan Agudelo's one-touch pass off a throw-in finding Brek Shea, who managed to elude a defender and thread a pass right to the foot of Robbie Rogers at the back post of the open goal. This tally also gave us the Klinsmann triple fist pump.




8. Clarence Goodson v. Panama: The Yanks came up a goal short v. Panama in the group stage of the Gold Cup, but their lone goal was a nice one, with Michael Bradley's flick finding Clarence Goodson for a diving header.




7. Clint Dempsey v. Canada: Dempsey's sliding finish off of a quality final pass from Jozy Altidore sealed a 2-0 win. What many will also remember from Dempsey in this match is the spectacular goal that he almost scored.




6. Clint Dempsey v. Jamaica: Following a nice give-and-go with Landon Donovan, Juan Agudelo found Clint Dempsey alone at the back post with a first time ball across the box. Deuce then showed great poise, waiting for Donovan Ricketts to commit before rounding him and finishing.




5. Clint Dempsey v. Panama: Against a stubborn Panamanian defense, the US needed something special to break through. They got just that thanks to a great long ball from Freddy Adu and a pinpoint pass from Landon Donovan to Clint Dempsey at the back post. You have to love Dempsey's reaction as well, pointing and giving all the credit to Donovan for his perfect service.




4. Edson Buddle v. Slovenia: Edson Buddle didn't take long to make his mark against Slovenia. Capitalizing on a turnover, he settled the ball calmly with his thigh before smashing a lovely volley off the inside of the post from about 25 yards out.




3. Clint Dempsey v. Honduras: A soft touch, a quick cut, and a gorgeous lefty finish into the upper corner helped the US earn their first win of the Klinsmann era. Take a look at Maurice Edu at the top of the box, raising his arms as he screams for a drop pass only to leave them up in celebration just a second later- a moment the two seem to share a laugh about later.




2. Landon Donovan v. Mexico: By now you should all know that USSD has a soft spot for great team goals, and the Yanks put together a beauty against Mexico in the Gold Cup final. After regaining possession, the US strung together several one- and two-touch passes, culminating with a perfectly-weighted through-ball from Clint Dempsey and a poised finish from Landon Donovan. A beautiful sight that had many of us believing the Gold Cup would soon be in American hands.




1. Jozy Altidore v. Guadeloupe: Jozy takes the top spot for this absolute bomb against Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe GK Franck Grandel had a great game in the group stage finale at Livestrong Sporting Park, but all he could was watch as this strike zipped past him in an instant. The pace behind the shot was so great that it actually lifted the back part of the net up off the ground.

Take a look at the golazo, this year's winner of Top USMNT Goal:



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Once again, feel free to share your thoughts below.

Let's hope 2012 brings us plenty more goals.