Roger Levesque is famous for diving, but not for faking or embellishing a foul. Levesque is well-remembered for a different kind of dive.
June 23, 2011 was a big day for the Rave Green. Midfielder Erik Friberg scored his first MLS goal in the 11th minute on a curling strike from the top of the box. Then, after the New York Red Bulls had come storming back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game, Levesque scored back-to-back goals to give the Sounders the 4-2 victory.
His first came on a corner kick from defender Leo Gonzalez in the 67th minute. Levesque got in front of his defender on the near post and flicked the ball just enough to turn it into the back post netting for the lead.
His second was classic Levesque.
A mishandled back pass from Red Bulls goalkeeper Greg Sutton presented an opportunity for Levesque, who charged the keeper, took the ball off his feet and coolly slipped it into the empty net. Then, in true Levesque fashion, he ran straight to the LED field-side boards and plunged over the side to the delight of Sounders fans around the stadium. It was one of many moments that makes Levesque a Seattle soccer icon and legend of Sounders lore.
"For me, it was just a moment of being really excited," Levesque said after the game. "I wasn't trying to slight the other team, by any means. I mean even though this is a job. Even though guys' jobs are on the line if you don't perform, at the end of the day, we're out there playing soccer. We're out there kicking a ball around and you're supposed to enjoy it. At least that's my perspective on it."
Check out Friberg’s first, Levesque’s brace and the celebration all in the video above.
