Nick Lima channels one of most famous MLS plays of 2018 season with assist

Nick Lima - San Jose Earthquakes - celebrating

Was it déjà vu? Or did he watch the tape?


That's the question for Nick Lima, who tallied his first US national team assist in his debut on Sunday, in a 3-0 win over Panama.


Lima stole the ball off a defender on the right flank, turned upfield, and hit a looping early cross that was headed in by Walker Zimmerman.

Does that remind you of any notable plays?

It may not quite be a step-by-step recreation, but Lima's play is at the very least an homage to Wayne Rooney's famous tackle and bombing early cross, headed in by Luciano Acosta, in a last-second game-winning play for D.C. United last season.


And the resemblance was noted by many on social media:

Regardless of the intent (or not), we'll have to see if Lima replicates any other famous assists in the future, for the USMNT or the San Jose Earthquakes.