This was no movie magic.
After Orlando City's 4-1 win over D.C. United, Orlando attacker Martin Ojeda joked with reporters that they could cut out portions of his comments and make it look like he'd planned his wonder-goal all along.
The truth? He had an idea that he was going to try to pull off an audacious shot, but he never knew it would go as well as it did when he scored an MLS Goal of the Season candidate, using the back of his heel to redirect a pass from Antoine Griezmann into the goal.
It was an acrobatic finish after a slick spell of play for Orlando, with Ojeda finding the Frenchman, then soaring and twisting his body to get the right touch on it and put it past D.C. United goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
Martín Ojeda and @OrlandoCitySC with
potentially the Goal of the Year 🥵🥵🥵 pic.twitter.com/IG2RMQCZro
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 18, 2026
"When I shot, I tried to do something different," Ojeda said. "The last game I wanted to do it on the ground. Today, I tried it in the air and thankfully was able to score the goal. When I got up and saw the ball going in, it was a beautiful feeling."
The feeling was made even nicer for Ojeda with many of his family members in attendance for the match to see him assist Griezmann on the opening goal and score the second.
The victory showed how critical Orlando's star power will be as the Florida club stays firmly in the playoff picture, sitting 7th in the Eastern Conference with four matches left. The top nine advance to postseason play.
"I think it’s important to have these players for us. Today we scored with the three DPs we have, so I think that’s important in this league," Orlando City interim coach Martin Perelman said. "Sometimes they are able to do it, sometimes not, but nobody can (argue) with the talent they have. I think it’s about being humble, one game at a time, I think they are giving everything on the field.
"Today was a tough game, we had to battle, to fight and play when we could. Fortunately, we won which is very important at home."
The team will seek a Hollywood ending, but for now can enjoy the very real replays from various angles of the superb shot.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best MLS goal of the season? Ojeda's backheel flick leaves fans stunned
