The 2022 playoffs have come and gone, with a champion being crowed this past week. But dazzling performances came from every team in the bracket, making for a memorable month of action.
Earlier today, the USL Championship announced that Rodrigo Lopez’s score against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in the Western Conference Semifinal has been nominated for the League’s Goal of the Playoffs, acknowledging the top strike on the league’s path to the title.
Lopez’s score gave Republic FC an early advantage against their second-round foe. After winning the ball in the back, Dan Casey surveyed the field and played a long ball in the air to Lopez streaking behind the hosts’ backline. After taking a touch, Sacramento’s captain put a composed chip-shot attempt into the net to give his club the lead in the 18th minute of play.
This is the second consecutive season that Lopez has been nominated for the honor. The midfielder won the 2021 honor, taking home the fan vote for a free kick score that led Rio Grande Valley FC to an upset of top seeded Phoenix Rising FC.
Voting for the honor is open now at USLChampionship.com, and runs through Friday, November 19 at 9:00 a.m. PT.
