Krisztian Nemeth set social media aflame last Saturday when he sliced and diced his way through the Portland Timbers defense en route to a stunning solo goal.
The strike — prefaced by a 50-yard run that originated in the defensive half and left multiple would-be tacklers sprawled on the turf — gave Sporting Kansas City a priceless win and generated Goal of the Year buzz.
For now, Nemeth will have to settle for the AT&T MLS Goal of the Week, his second since the start of September. The Hungarian took a whopping 67.93 percent of the vote in Week 31, comfortably besting four other finalists from around the league.
1. Krisztian Nemeth (SKC) – 67.93%
2. Luke Mulholland (RSL) – 17.42%
3. David Texeira (DAL) – 7.43%
4. Seb Hines (ORL) – 5.87%
5. Kevin Doyle (COL) – 1.35%
Sporting Kansas City players have won the weekly honor five times in 2015: Nemeth (Week 28, Week 31) and Benny Feilhaber (Week 8, Week 21) have two each, while Dom Dwyer took the award in Week 12. At season’s end, each one will be up for AT&T MLS Goal of the Year.
Nemeth has excelled at Sporting Kansas City since joining the club in January. The 26-year-old was named Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month in May, and his 22 combined goals (15) and assists (7) in all competitions are the most by a Kansas City newcomer since the inaugural 1996 season. He shared the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Golden Boot honor with Dwyer, scoring five goals including an equalizer in the Final that Sporting Kansas City won on penalties. Nemeth has also played a role in Hungary's UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, earning five caps in 2015.
