Nelson Valdez waited 364 days for a moment like this, and what a moment it was.
Valdez had not scored in MLS play in nearly a full calendar year heading into the Seattle Sounders’ match against Sporting Kansas City on Oct. 27 in the Western Conference Knockout Round. Plagued with unfortunate finishing and downright bad luck all season, he just could not find a breakthrough.
The Paraguayan Designated Player came on as a substitute in the 79th minute, though, and just nine minutes later scored what head coach Brian Schmetzer called the biggest goal of the Sounders’ season.
Defender Joevin Jones whipped in a great left-footed cross to the near post, and Valdez was there to deflect it past goalkeeper Tim Melia for what would be the game-winner. Valdez sprinted to the corner and greeted teammates as he became more and more emotional. He even seemed to tear up as Sporting kicked off for the restart.
For the Sounders, it meant advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals. But for Valdez, it meant so much more.
“I’ve been feeling like I’ve had a big mountain on top of me for the whole season and finally with the goal that mountain has gone away and the pressure has been relieved,” Valdez said after the match.
It was salvation for Valdez, a chance to be at peace with the scoring hardships he faced during the regular season and a moment neither he, nor the Sounders faithful, will soon forget.
