The Staff of Cincinnati Soccer Talk is bringing back our End of Season Awards for the 2018 FC Cincinnati season. On Monday we released our 2018 Fan-Vote Player of the Year Emmanuel Ledesma. Today we will release our 2018 Goal of the Year followed by our 2018 Funny Awards Wednesday, the 2018 Moment of the Year on Thursday and 2018 Staff-Voted Player of the Year on Friday. Stay tuned to Cincinnati Soccer Talk as we look back on our favorite points of the 2018 FC Cincinnati season.
Check out our nominees for the 2018 FC Cincinnati Goal of the Year:
1.) Emmanuel Ledesma vs. Richmond Kickers
Bryan – This was a classic, “what just happened” moment. When you give Ledesma space anywhere in the attacking third, he can punish you, just like he did to Richmond. While this game ended up as a blowout (4-0), his ability to put that ball off the top post and into the net was amazing. This goal has stood out to me compared to all of his other amazing goals in 2018.
2.) Kenney Walker at Ottawa Fury
Trisha – Kenney Walker helped FC Cincinnati kick off the season right in the sixth match of the season against Ottawa Fury FC. From fifty yards out, Walker took a chance with a strong right foot and it sent the ball sailing. No one was expecting it to go in – not the announcers, not the fans, not the club, not even Kenney Walker himself. As the ball landed against the back of the net, Ottawa keeper Crépeau simply stood in the box, hands on his hips, in shock – and hopefully amazement. This is a goal that I will never forget for many reasons – the beauty, the accuracy, the absolute bewilderment I felt when it hit the net. It’s one of those goals that no one ever expects, and it will not be forgotten. It wins goal of the year in my book because Walker turned nothing into something, took a chance that paid off and got FCC on the board. It was a stunning display, a combination of a lot of talent and a little bit of luck.
3.) Fanendo Adi vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Rob: From a purely technical aspect, Walker’s goal was outstanding. But my choice for Goal of the Year has a little more significance behind it — it sent FC Cincinnati into the playoffs.
Ever since the club announced the signing of its first designated player, Fanendo Adi, back in July, supporters were itching to see him record his first goal in orange and blue. Evidently Adi and the rest of the club was too, based on the celebration following when it finally happened. In a position to attack the goal in front of the the Bailey for the first time, Adi scored in the 88th minute against Pittsburgh on Sept. 1.
Walker passed ahead to Adi on the right side. Adi was nearly fouled outside of the box but muscled past, shifted left into the box and shot between defenders. Then he ran straight to the FCC bench and embraced coach Alan Koch in a bear hug, sparking a team celebration.
4.) Corben Bone at Louisville City FC
Griffin – The conditions weren’t perfect but the result was. Facing Lewisval for the final time in regular season play, Cincinnati had to go out on top. With both sides dealing with the wind, rain, and flooding at Slugger field Corben Bone scored the lone goal of the match. Bone’s goal was not the most impressive goal of the season but possibly one of the most impactful. Cutting from the left, Corben placed his shot to the right post skipping across a puddle and into the net securing Cincinnati’s victory over Lew City.
Winner: Kenney Walker at Ottawa Fury
@bryanweigel for @CincySoccerTalk
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