Sporting Kansas City striker Diego Rubio didn't need long to make a major impact on Saturday night.
In the 85th minute of Saturday's wild battle with the Houston Dynamo, Rubio entered the action as a substitute and promptly delivered an exquisite strike to draw Sporting KC level at 2-2. The Chilean's goal — his third from off the bench this season — is one of five nominees for AT&T MLS Goal of the Week in Week 17.
Fans can vote Rubio now through Thursday morning at 2 a.m. CT by visiting MLSsoccer.com, where goals from Edgar Castillo (COL), Laurent Ciman (LAFC), Borek Dockal (PHI) and Aaron Long (NYRB) are also on the Week 17 ballot.
Rubio's lethal finish into the top corner finished off a brilliant buildup involving Johnny Russell and Daniel Salloi, and it ultimately set the scene for a dramatic game-winner. Rubio was involved yet again, setting Salloi free down the left side before a low cross was slotted home by Khiry Shelton on 88 minutes as Sporting KC overturned a two-goal deficit to win for just the sixth time in their regular season history.
Sitting atop the Western Conference standings and two points behind Atlanta United FC in the Supporters' Shield race, Sporting KC will ride a wave of momentum into next weekend as the club ventures north of the border to face the Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo. The cross-conference clash will kick off at 6 p.m. CT Saturday on FOX Sports Kansas City and FOX Sports Midwest.
