ALEJANDRO POZUELO made unforgettable MLS debut as he scored a Panenka penalty followed by a cheeky chip. The former Swansea City star stole the show as Toronto thumped New York City 4-0 to continue their unbeaten league run. Pozuelo arrived from KRC Genk in Belgium just a week ago, but he has already established himself […]
ALEJANDRO POZUELO made unforgettable MLS debut as he scored a Panenka penalty followed by a cheeky chip.
The former Swansea City star stole the show as Toronto thumped New York City 4-0 to continue their unbeaten league run.
Pozuelo arrived from KRC Genk in Belgium just a week ago, but he has already established himself as a huge hit in America.
The Spanish playmaker provided an assist for Jozy Altidore’s opener before he brilliantly scored from 12 yards to double the tally.
He oozed confidence as he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and chipped the ball straight down the middle of the goal.
But just in case any fans had missed that moment of magic, he scored another sublime strike to make it 3-0.
Pozuelo stunned his team-mates as he lobbed NYC goalkeeper Sean Johnson with an incredible effort from inside the box.
After the match, the 27-year-old said: “Saturday I had dinner with the president and he said we need somebody to shoot penalties.
“I came to [do that], so the first one I shoot I’ll do the Panenka. He said, ‘You’re crazy.’ I said, ‘No, I’ll do it.’
“It’s difficult to shoot a penalty like this. The first penalty the keeper will go right or left, it’s impossible to stay in middle, so I tried. ”
After the match, team-mate Jonathan Osorio added: “This guy is magic, you saw it today.
“It was a great a debut. I can’t wait to play the rest of the year with him.”
Altidore added: “As good a debut as you can hope for. He had a lot of pressure coming in, seemed to have that calm from minute one.
“Some mistakes from the beginning, but his willingness to get on the ball, try things to unlock defences is the sign of a quality player.
“He plays with a smile on his face.”
