NYCFC: We need to talk about that Maxime Chanot goal

On Saturday, New York City FC played against Nashville SC for the second time this year.  This time, the Pigeons welcomed the Music City team to New York, were able to grab a 2-1 win.  Up until the final ten to fifteen minutes, it can be said it was one of the best matches of the season.  Goals from Keaton Parks and Maxime Chanot in the first half led to the win.

We need to talk about the Maxime Chanot goal for NYCFC

In the end, it would be Chanot’s goal that would end up as the game winner.  While Parks had an incredible header to get the game started, Chanot’s was… well it was something.  It is one of those goals that was not a beautiful curler into the top corner.  It was not a golazo from outside of the box.  It was not a bicycle kick game winner.  Rather, it was very odd.

The Pigeons were awarded a corner kick, and Richard Ledezma sent the ball into the box in the 25th minute.  It fell right to the center-back, and what did he do?  Why, he sent it into the back of the goal.  Yet, it was how he scored that was so insane.  It was a karate-like kick that did not seem human.   

In fact, the goal was out of this world.  The way Chanot moved his leg and kicked the ball into the back of the net is just indescribable.  It needs to be seen, and then perhaps watched again… and again… and again. 

It is hard to describe, but it seemed Chanot moved his hips in order to get his leg and foot to swing quickly toward goal.  His pace on the shot, and the uniqueness of the swing, made it impossible to save.  It also helped that the ball fell right to him, and within a split second, he reacted. Again, the goal would be the game winner for NYCFC, and it was impressive too. 

Personally, this was the best goal of the season, at least eight games in.  Gabriel Pereira has scored two beauties, but Chanot scored a goal that just did not make sense.  Even the reaction to maneuver his body in the right way to take the shot was insane. It is one of those that has to be seen in order to be believed.

What are your thoughts?  Did you find Chanot’s goal impressive, or was it just another goal for New York City FC?