United States men’s national team midfielder Luca de la Torre scored his first goal of the 2023-24 season in style on Wednesday with a disgusting backheel goal.
De la Torre opened the scoring of Celta Vigo’s 3-1 Copa del Rey victory vs. Valencia in the 13th minute off a corner kick.
Valencia goalkeeper Jaume Doménech failed to punch the ball out of his box and some quick pinball action inside the 18-yard-box resulted in the ball heading straight for the 25-year-old American.
De la Torre only had a second to react and he turned the chance into an amazing goal.
Luca de la Torre goal vs Valencia
Luca Magic
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) January 17, 2024
Luca de la Torre GOLAZO vs Valencia pic.twitter.com/jJpwAKfPhs https://t.co/fZFnigVlyU
— Kranks (@dis_possessed) January 17, 2024
Sheesh! You love to see that.
Later in the game Celta Vigo led 2-1 and De la Torre provided a perfect cross to Anastasios Douvikas who sealed the game with a headed goal.
Add an assist for @delatorreluca!
» @rfef— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) January 17, 2024
Wednesday’s performance was the American’s best of the season so far in what’s been a difficult start of the campaign for Celta Vigo.
Celta Vigo sit just two points above the relegation zone and have only won three of their 20 league games.
De la Torre and his club might be turning the season around with only one defeat across all competitions in the last 10 games (five wins, four draws and one loss).
The latest performance for de la Torre will keep him on USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter’s radar for Copa América this summer. In 2023 de la Torre made eight appearances for the national team.
He’s been key to the USMNT’s midfield depth and will be hoping to make a big impact in 2024 and perhaps score his first international goal.
