One Week Left in Sierra Mist Goal of the Year Voting

Blanco, Cameron, Cepero, Johnson and Rogers make the cut as finalists

NEW YORK (Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008) – Only five goals remain in the running for the 2008 Sierra Mist Goal of the Year, and four MLS Cup Playoffs participants are among the finalists. More than 500 goals were scored during the 2008 regular season, and fans have narrowed down the choices via online voting at MLSnet.com to determine the most remarkable goal of the 2008 regular season.

Voting began on Oct. 30, with fans able to select from 35 regular-season goals, which included the 31 winners of the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week and four additional nominees. The top 10 vote-getters advanced last week to the semifinal round, and now just one week remains for fans to choose their favorite.

The Sierra Mist Goal of the Year will be announced on Nov. 19, 2008. Voting resumes tomorrow for. Click here to vote: http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/awards/2008/goal_of_the_year/

Top Five Sierra Mist Goal of the Year Candidates (in alphabetical order):

Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Chicago Fire (Week 7 vs. D.C. United)

Blanco makes a darting run up the center of the field and then hits a dipping a left-footed shot from 30 yards that finds the top right corner of the goal.

Geoff Cameron, Houston Dynamo (Week 2 vs. FC Dallas)

Brian Ching nutmegs a defender to find a charging Cameron, who meets and strikes the ball with force between two FC Dallas defenders from outside of the 18-yard box.

Danny Cepero, New York Red Bull (Week 30 vs. Columbus Crew)

Red Bulls goalkeeper Danny Cepero launches a free kick 80 yards from goal that bounces at the edge of the 18-yard box over the head of Columbus goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum. Cepero becomes the first goalkeeper in MLS history to score a goal.

Will Johnson, Real Salt Lake (Week 30 vs. FC Dallas)

Chris Wingert centers the ball to Johnson who collects the ball just outside of the 18-yard box. Johnson flicks the ball up, turns and volleys it off the near post, past a diving Dario Sala.

Robbie Rogers, Columbus Crew (Week 26 vs. New York Red Bull)

After controlling a scooped pass from teammate Gino Padula, Rogers darts through the New York midfield and strikes a right-footed shot from 25 yards over the outstretched arms of Red Bull keeper Jon Conway.

All-Time Sierra Mist Goal of the Year Winners

2007: Cuauhtemoc Blanco – Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake – August 18, 2007

2006: Brian Ching – Houston Dynamo vs. D.C. United – September 30, 2006

2005: Dwayne De Rosario – San Jose Earthquakes at Los Angeles Galaxy – October 15, 2005

2004: Dwayne De Rosario – San Jose Earthquakes vs. D.C. United – August 2, 2004

2003: Damani Ralph – Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew – August 13, 2003

2002: Carlos Ruiz – Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Columbus Crew – July 27, 2002

2001: Clint Mathis – MetroStars vs. Dallas Burn – April 28, 2001

2000: Marcelo Balboa – Colorado Rapids at Columbus Crew – April 22, 2000

1999: Marco Etcheverry – D.C. United at Miami Fusion – May 22, 1999

1998: Brian McBride – Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire – July 9, 1998

1997: Marco Etcheverry – D.C. United vs. New England Revolution – August 27, 1997

1996: Eric Wynalda – San Jose Earthquakes vs. D.C. United – April 6, 1996

www.MLSnet.com