Carlos Rivas finally found the goal he has been looking for all season.
It had been a tight game on Saturday between the Colorado Rapids and Orlando City, and despite creating chances, the match remained scoreless through the start of the second half. But in the 70th minute, Rivas used his strength to launch a rocket of a goal from outside the 18-yard box that hit the back of the net and gave Orlando City the lead.
Rivas came on in the 59th minute as a substitute for Giles Barnes. Head Coach Jason Kreis made the decision to keep Rivas on the bench to take some pressure off him and give him a different perspective on the match. It certainly paid off.
âI think Iâve been trying to get this goal for many games now and when the opportunity finally came I thought it was just beautiful,â Rivas said. âIâm really excited about it. I honestly didnât anticipate that it was going to happen. I saw the perfect chance to take the strike that I like to take and everything happened the way it did.â
Rivas has worked very hard this season, and that work has been noticed by his teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans. When Rivasâ ball found the back of the net, he charged across the field and the stadium erupted in cheers. Rivasâ teammates were very happy to see him find success.
âIt was great. What a goal that was,â Scott Sutter said after the match. âIt was a great shot, a great goal, and weâre all very pleased for him.â
âAmazing goal. I think everyone, not just him, was waiting for this goal,â KakĂĄ said. âThat kind of a goal, especially, because heâs strong, heâs got a very good shot, and we have been waiting for this goal.â
Rivas said he wasnât trying to do anything special. He just wanted to play his game, and he knew that his moment would come.
âAt the end of the day, it was just important for me to be me,â Rivas said. âAnd give the fans something to cheer about.â
Rivas and his teammates are hoping that this goal is the first of many for Rivas, who is still in the early days of his career. His head coach has no doubts.
âReally, really pleased for him that he finally gets the goal that breaks the camelâs back,â Head Coach Jason Kreis said. âI believe weâre going to see incredible things moving forward from him.â