An MLS midfielder has broken his duck in style for with an audacious long-range strike in front of legendary Brazilian pair Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos.
Prior to the game, Orlando City SC had announced that the former Selecao superstars would be in attendance at Exploria Stadium for the Eastern Conference encounter. It had appeared that the home side was heading for a routine victory against the Philadelphia Union, before a stunning equalizer from Jose Martinez earned his team a share of the points.
The Venezuelan midfielder may have had to wait three long years for his maiden goal for the Pennsylvanian outfit but it was certainly worth the wait, with his stunning piledriver reminiscent of Carlos himself in his pomp. After making some 80 appearances for the side since joining from Zulia, his last minute winner will certainly go down as a collector's item.
After a speculative cross into the box was headed away from danger, it appeared that Orlando was weathering the storm, while protecting a 2-1 lead heading into injury time.
However, the 14-cap international simply had other ideas and unleashed a powerful swerving shot from some 35 yards out to leave the opposition goalkeeper straggling. Unsurprisingly Martinez's first ever goal for his employers sparked jubilant celebrations, with his teammates mobbing him.
Intriguingly, the mesmerising strike was one one just six in his entire club career, stretching back to his days in his homeland in the Primera Division. Now, he will be hoping that he does not have to wait as long to notch his next one for the club.
The strike was eerily similar to the goal former Real Madrid full back Carlos scored all the way back in 1997 against France, among his other breathtakingly brilliant strikes. The free-kick — now affectionately dubbed the 'banana kick' due to the inconceivable amount of bend he managed to get on it — still stands as one of the greatest goals in the history of the sport from a technical perspective.
The comparisons will surely be welcomed by Martinez, whose half volley earned his team a hard fought point away from home, thus furthering their chances of making the MLS Cup Playoff at the end of the campaign. Currently sat in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, they currently look to be in a comfortable position to reach their aims.
Philadephia Union's Subaru Park will play host to a unique exhibition game against Wrexham later this summer, with the Welsh club's co-owner Rob McElhenney bringing his team to his hometown for the first time. Although the Red Dragons will be taking on the Philly franchise's second string, the encounter will surely be an emotional affair for the "It's Always Sunny" megastar.
Taking to Twitter after the announcement was made that the historic League Two outfit will visit the city on the final stop of their US tour this summer, the comedian did joke that he is not expecting a rousing reception, however. He joked "I will most certainly be booed, that’s a badge of honor in Philly. I’m just glad it won’t be snowing."
