Mike Grella didn't score or set up all of the 18 goals netted by the New York Red Bulls and NYRB II in July. It just felt that way - which is why every one of the four goals nominated for your consideration for RBNY Goal of July involves Grella in some way.
1. Grella shimmies past the Cosmos (vs. NY Cosmos, July 1)
Step-over. Cut-back. Shot skimmed to the far post and into the net.
2. Lloyd Sam finishes what he started (vs. New England Revolution, July 11)
About as crisp and incisive a passing sequence as we have seen from RBNY all season - and an example of the sort of positional fluidity Jesse Marsch wants from his front four. The move is finished by Grella - nominally the left winger - feeding Sam, the right winger. Both men are in central positions, above Bradley Wright-Phillips, the striker in the formation. Spacing and movement define their places on the field, not the role they are tagged with in the starting lineup.
3. Sacha can shoot (@ Orlando City, July 18)
Winning possession in the final third isn't just about frantic pressing - it's also about frantic chasing. Grella keeps a loose ball in play, passes it back to restart the attack, and then watches Sacha Kljestan take a simple pass from Dax McCarty and hammer a shot home from outside the area.
Every time I find myself cursing Sacha's leaden first touch and wayward shooting, I remember this goal and remind myself he makes his living because of what his feet can do with a football.
4. Grella takes on OCSC defense and wins (@ Orlando City, July 18)
Every time I curse Grella's lack of pace, I remind myself of the time he ran through three-quarters of the Orlando defense to score. (Start at the 2:50 mark)
