2013 Moments of the Year

With 2013 coming to a close, here are some moments of the year.

Game of the Year

11/23 vs Houston Dynamo

It'd be an easy thing for me to pick MLS Cup against Salt Lake. And while that game was exciting and brought KC a trophy this year, I'm going with the win that got KC there. Falling behind 1-0 after just three minutes to the team that had knocked KC out of the playoffs the last two years there was plenty of "here we go again" comments from fans. On the field though KC took control of the game against the Dynamo. And without Ricardo Clark in the middle of the field for the Dynamo, Benny Feilhaber had room to run at the Houston back line. Those runs led to both of KC's goals as KC finally overcame the Dynamo and advanced to MLS Cup.

Goal of the Year

Benny Feilhaber 8/31 vs Colorado

There were a number of good goals this year, from the one touch passing on Claudio Bieler's goal against Toronto, to Graham Zusi's shross against the Chicago Fire, and Dom Dwyer's winner in the Eastern Conference finals. But the goal of the year was Feilhaber's outside of the foot blast against the Colorado Rapids. Dwyer won a ball with a sliding challenge from Hendry Thomas and the ball fell to Feilhaber who took one touch with his right and then let fly with the outside of his right foot. The ball curled around Clint Irwin and into the net giving KC a 1-0 lead in a game they'd end up winning 2-1.


Assist of the year

Benny Feilhaber to Dom Dwyer vs Houston 11/23

A fantastic little chip over a couple Houston defenders right into the path of Dwyer whose finish matched the fantastic set up by Feilhaber. That type of play is why Feilhaber was brought in, to give KC a bit more of that creative spark. And in the playoffs, Feilhaber definitely brought it.





Honorable mention - Soony Saad, Kei Kamara, and Benny Feilhaber, one touch passing sets up Claudio Bieler against Toronto.

Best player that is underrated outside KC.

Seth Sinovic

Sporting's left back had another solid season for Kansas City, in fact he was my vote for KC's defender of the year this year. He appeared in 42 of KC's 45 games in all competitions and played more minutes than any other player this year. With Chris Klute having a breakout season for Colorado, Sinovic has again been "overlooked" by larger media. But hopefully Sinovic has done enough this year to finally get the call up many KC fans feel he deserves.

Low moment of the year

1-0 loss to Orlando 6/12

KC's last game before the US Open Cup match up with affiliate club, Orlando City was on 6/1. So they had 11 days since their 2-1 loss at home to Montreal. So they were well rested, and they had another 10 days before their next league game against Dallas. Combine that with the fact that Orlando's leading scorer, Dom Dwyer did not play in the game because of the affiliate agreement between KC and Orlando kept him and KC's other loaned players from playing in the game. Orlando though came in with a chip on their shoulder, scored in just the second minute and held on to top Sporting 1-0.

Non-Sporting KC, KC player moment

10/15 Graham Zusi vs Panama

What this is, is a moment for a Sporting KC player away from Sporting KC. While it'd be easy to pick Zusi's goal at Sporting Park against Jamaica, I'm choosing his goal a few days later. Mainly because his goal against Panama made him a cult hero in Mexico. San Zusi should probably be enjoying an all expenses paid trip to a Mexican resort at some point for that goal.



Comets Goal of the Year

1/19/13 Leo Gibson vs Rochester Lancers

Gibson had a heck of a performance against the Lancers in this game, setting an MISL record for points in a game with 16, scoring 6 goals and adding 2 assists. His best goal was his fifth, a bicycle kick off a long ball from Vahid Assadpour. The goal starts at 1:55 in the below video.



FC Kansas City Goal of the Year

6/23/13 Lauren Holiday (Cheney) vs Washington Spirit

In their first game against the Washington Spirit, Holiday scored both goals, but it was her first goal that was her best. Receiving the ball at the top of the 10 yard arc at the top of the box, Holiday took a centering touch and then let fly with a shot that went into the corner, a great shot.



KC Soccer Player of the Year

Lauren Holiday (Cheney)

In the NWSL's first season, US women's national team player, Lauren Holiday had a fantastic season. She was named the league's MVP while leading the league in both goals (12) and assists (9). On top of winning the MVP award, Holiday also got married this year and played a key role for the US throughout the years.