Jamal Thiare scored a rare goal in Major League Soccer on Saturday, as he managed to score the winner in injury time for Atlanta United. With the match tied, the 31-year-old surprised Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran by stealing the ball and sealing the 2-1 victory. Thiare, who joined the Five Stripes this season from Havre AC in France, scored possibly his most memorable goal to date.
First, the objective:
How did this happen?
Watching the replay, Thiare goes to drink from Gavran’s water bottle after Atlanta had a chance to take the lead. The TFC goalkeeper didn’t notice the Senegalese striker lurking and started the play from behind. It was only when the ball was on the ground that Gavran realised Thiare was there and by then it was too late as the ball was stolen from him with the goal wide open for the shot.
Has anyone seen Thiare?
At first, when Toronto’s players get going, no one looks toward the goal. It is only when Gavran is putting the ball upfield that substitute Kosi Thompson notices Thiare and begins to signal to his goalkeeper to see him, but by then it was too late. The rest of the Toronto players start running towards the goal, but Thiare is already putting the ball in.
Was it a textbook move?
“Exactly how we wanted it,” Atlanta United interim coach Rob Valentino joked after the game. “I would say I’m one of the youngest in terms of training and involvement in football, but I’ve never seen anything like this.” Despite wanting to take credit, it doesn’t seem like it was a rehearsed decision and these opportunities are too dependent on the circumstances to be implemented, so they are rarely seen in top-level football.
What is the value of Thiare’s goal?
Atlanta primarily needed the three points to move to a 6-6-8 record as part of a disappointing season that already saw Gonzalo Pineda fired. The Five Stripes currently sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference and two points behind Nashville SC for what would be the last guaranteed spot in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.