Sacramento Republic’s Maalique Foster panenka penalty kick and then backflip is just amazing. And in an MLS Open Cup semifinal match no less versus Sporting Kansas City. Takes some guts to say the least to even attempt a panenka penalty kick. Sacramento went on to win the game 5-4 in the penalty shootout and will play in the MLS Open Cup final versus Orlando.
See Foster’s panenka penalty kick and backflip celebration in the video below. The panenka is a soccer skill that you’re see players do more and more. Foster then did the Steph Curry “Go to Sleep” celebration.
The Open Cup is a tremendous soccer tournament in the United States. Where lower level teams face off against the MLS teams and should really get more attention. I’m guessing this panenka penalty kick by Foster will bring some more eyes to the final.
🍿 HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT
In the biggest moment in club history, Maalique Foster pulls off the panenka, then backflips and puts ’em to sleep.@SacRepublicFC becomes the first lower-tier team to make the U.S. Open Cup Final since 2008.
Iconic.pic.twitter.com/ZzXQGcoF8o
— Kendall Baker (@kendallbaker) July 28, 2022
More from US Soccer on the incredible Sacramento Republic win over Sporting Kansas City:
“The boys gave everything and we rode our luck at times, which you have to do against MLS sides,” Sacramento Republic FC head coach Mark Briggs said.
Maalique Foster scored an outrageous Panenka in the shootout, and Rodrigo “RoRo” Lopez netted the match-winner for Sacramento Republic FC, which now advances to play Orlando City SC at Explorida Stadium in the championship final on Sept. 7.
“Maalique is a character (and) ’RoRo’ was always going to be (kick taker) No. 5,” Briggs said. “Now all that matters is that we’re in the final. Everything else is a little blurry, to be honest.”
As far as price money goes:
The overall champion earns a total of $300,000 in prize money, while the runner-up receives $100,000, and the furthest-advancing team from each division receives $25,000. In addition, the tournament winner qualifies for the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.
You’d think a sponsor would step in and substantially raise the price money going to the winner and really increase the desire for players and teams to win the tournament.
