It took fewer than two full matches into the entire Major League Soccer 2021 regular season for Seattle Sounders midfielder João Paulo to unleash a Goal of the Year candidate.
With the match against Minnesota United scoreless in the 49th minute, the Brazilian gave the Sounders the lead when he cushioned a clearance, juggled once to himself and then volleyed home from 25 yards out. His strike was rightfully named a Goal of the Week contender and took Twitter by storm. It was even named the No. 1 play on SportsCenter’s nightly highlights.