Atlanta United Player Sneaks Behind Toronto FC Goalkeeper and Scores One of the Craziest Goals You’ve Ever Seen

Jamal Thiare scored a rare Major League Soccer goal on Saturday, netting the game-winning goal in stoppage time for Atlanta United. With the game tied, the 31-year-old surprised Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran by recovering the ball and sealing the 2-1 victory. New to the Five Stripes this season after joining from Le Havre AC in France, Thiare scored what was arguably his most memorable goal to date.

First, the goal:

How did it happen?

Watching the slow motion, Thiare goes to drink from Gavran’s water bottle after Atlanta’s chance to take the lead. The TFC goalkeeper did not notice the Senegalese striker who hides and starts the game from the back. It is only once the ball is on the ground that Gavran realizes that Thiare is there and by then it is too late as the ball is stolen while the goal is wide open for the finish.

Nobody saw Thiare?

At first, as the Toronto players leave, no one looks back toward the goal. It was only when Gavran put the ball on the pitch that substitute Kosi Thompson noticed Thiare and began to signal his presence to his goalkeeper but by then it was already too late. The rest of the TFC players start running towards the goal but Thiare is already putting the ball back.

Was this a playbook decision?

“It’s exactly what we wanted,” Atlanta United interim manager Rob Valentino joked after the game. “I’d say I’m on the younger side in terms of training and playing, but I’ve never seen anything like it.” While he wants to take credit for the move, it doesn’t appear to be a repeat move and such opportunities are too circumstantial to be put into practice, which is why they’re rarely seen in top-flight football.

What is the value of Thiare’s goal?

Atlanta needed the three points to improve to 6-6-8 after a disappointing season that has already seen Gonzalo Pineda fired. The Five Stripes are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference and two points behind Nashville SC for what would be the final guaranteed spot in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.