Earlier today, USL Championship released the annual poll for Goal of the Year, asking fans to select the top score from the 2023 season. Republic FC received two nominations: Luis Felipe’s perfect set piece curler against San Antonio FC on June 24 and Russell Cicerone’s diving header against Las Vegas Lights FC on July 29. Voting for the first round is open now through Sunday, December 10 at 9:00 p.m. PT at USLChampionship.com and the USL Mobile App.
Luis Felipe earns his third consecutive Goal of the Year nomination from a stellar strike in the club’s electric 3-1 win over San Antonio FC. After going up two goals in the first half, the midfielder put the exclamation point on the night with a perfectly placed set piece that sent the crowd (and Republic FC bench) into a frenzy. With no substitution opportunities remaining, San Antonio was forced to put defender Fabian Garcia in goal after goalkeeper Jordan Farr was ejected as a result of a red card. Luis Felipe stepped up to take the free kick, sending his left-footed shot over the wall and curling into the upper 90. Garcia made his best attempt to keep the ball out, but Luis Felipe’s perfect shot was unreachable. The score was later selected by the Republic FC players and coaches as the 2023 Play of the Year.
Cicerone’s standout strike came on the road, as he put the Indomitable Club ahead of Las Vegas Lights FC in spectacular fashion. As the ball advanced up the right flank, Cicerone moved into open space in the middle of the park before heading the ball into the back of the net with an all-out diving effort. The acrobatic score was voted the league’s Goal of the Week for Week 21 –the first time that Cicerone has taken home the honor – and was voted by Republic FC fans as this season’s team Goal of the Year.
First-round voting for the honor is open now at USLChampionship.com in a bracket-style competition. The winners of each round will advance through the rounds until the Final at the end of December.
