Last week, we asked you to nominate the best New York City FC goals of all time, and the responses poured in: Here are the 20 most outstanding NYCFC goals as selected by you.
Now it’s time to vote on which goal is the the best in club history. You’ll find a ballot at the end of this post — voting will close on Monday, May 30, at 11:59 pm.
Two notes. First, this is best viewed on a laptop or a desktop: There are a lot of videos to watch and real estate to scroll through before you reach the ballot at the end.
Second, all votes must be submitted through the Google Form on this page — sorry, but tweeting at us doesn’t count. After we tally the votes, we will announce the results the following week.
And now, enjoy rewatching these 20 breathtaking goals.
1. Héber backheel flick vs New Jersey Red Bulls, August 24, 2019
A career-defining moment for Héber, this fine display of technical ability in front of the Yankee Stadium supporter’s section completed a comeback win against our fiercest rivals.
2. Anton Tinnerholm volley vs Cincinatti FC, September 12, 2020
A classic “Tinnerbooms,” only this impressive strike came off of his weaker left foot.
3. Alex Ring bar-down vs New Jersey Red Bulls, November 1, 2020
Though not exactly known for his goal scoring in his NYCFC days, when Alex Ring when did find the back of the net it was usually something special. Bonus: The goal gave NYCFC the lead in this round of the Hudson River Derby.
4. David Villa half-field shot vs Philadelphia Union, April 14, 2017
With no support around him whatsoever, David Villa just let it fly from fully 50 yards out—beating two-time Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake.
5. Taty Castellanos header vs Portland in the MLS Cup Final, December 11, 2021
The only sure thing in the 2021 playoffs? A Tatygoal: The striker found the back of the net in every 2021 postseason game he played, and no goal was more important than this header that skittered in on a rainy December day in Portland.
6. Jack Harrison solo goal vs Montreal, July 17, 2016
This was the moment that turned the conversation from Jack Harrison’s potential to his potency. He devastated Montreal’s left-back Ambroise Oyongo, cutting back and forth until the defender was on the floor.
7. Tommy McNamara blast vs New Jersey Red Bulls, July 24, 2016
Aaaaaand we’re back with another Tommy Mac blast: While some of his other goals from outside the area were more focused on finesse, this strike was flat-out ripped.
8. Alexander Callens MLS Cup-clinching penalty vs Portland, December 11, 2021
In a moment that required the highest degree of composure, Alexander Callens was the calmest man in all of Portland. Down the middle, with power: No nonsense, just glory.
9. Gudi Thorrarinson’s curse-breaking free kick vs Atlanta United, October 20, 2021
There was a stretch in 2021 when it looked like NYCFC weren’t going to even make the postseason, never mind lift the MLS Cup. This howitzer of a free kick changed the momentum and set the team on a course for glory.
10. Jack Harrison goal vs New Jersey Red Bulls, July 3, 2016
A statement goal for both a young Jack Harrison and a young NYCFC franchise — which secured the Pigeon’s very first win over their Hudson River rivals.
11. Anton Tinnerholm volley vs San Jose, March 31, 2018
A powerful blast from fullback Anton Tinnerholm like this one is all confidence and technique. This is why his goals are called “Tinnerbooms.”
12. David Villa scissor kick corner vs Vancouver Whitecaps, April 30, 2016
Ignore the quite obvious obstruction from Frédéric Brilliant, and just enjoy the Andrea Pirlo corner getting scissor-kicked home with such style and elegance by David Villa.
13. Kwado Poku overhead kick vs NY Cosmos, June 17, 2015
While some may want to put NYCFC’s dumpster fire of an inaugural season behind us, the streets won’t forget Poku’s triumphs that year. This one involved an acrobatic sequence of juggling the ball before spinning and jumping and knocking home the overhead finish.
14. Tommy McNamara curler vs Portland, May 5, 2016
Salt and Pepper, Peanut butter and Jelly, Tacos and Tuesday, Tommy Mac and right-footed curlers. They all just go together perfectly.
15. Taty Castellanos chips keeper vs Columbus Crew, May 14, 2022
Once Maxi Moarlez releases Castellanos you know the Columbus keeper doesn’t have a chance: It’s not just Taty’s speed, it’s his composure and technique.
16. Alex Ring bar-down vs Atlanta United, April 16, 2018
Another Alex Ring banger from back that helped his team secure a big point on the road against Atlanta. Ring took the space afforded to him and just let fly.
17. David Villa solo run vs New Jersey Red Bulls, August 6, 2017
David Villa went on a solo run in a that he capped off himself — it was the second of three tallies that afternoon. Fun watching him tie USMNT defender Aaron Long into a pretzel.
18. Thiago solo run vs DC United, June 26, 2021
Maybe the most clutch individual effort in NYCFC history: After picking the ball up deep in his own half, Thiago put his head down and blew by the entire DC United defense, cut to his right, then chopped it into the back of the net with his weaker left foot, burying the game-winner in the 95th minute.
19. Talles Magno vs Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference Final, December 5, 2021
Gritty? Yes. Ugly? Maybe. Vital? Absolutely. This was the goal that propelled NYCFC to the MLS Cup Final: Excellent hustle and instinct were on display from Thorarrinson, who picked the pocket of an indecisive Philly fullback, before squaring it to a well-positioned Talles Magno.
20. Frank Lampard thigh goal vs New England Revolution, July 7, 2016
Frank Lampard OBE didn’t exactly score stunners during his stint in New York, but he did find a way to put the ball in the back of the net with regularity. He used his thigh in this case, his shins and shoulders in others. Lamps netted 15 goals in just 29 MLS appearances.
