Here's the thing about Alan Gordon. Even though he's played for five different teams – and had two stints with the LA Galaxy – to many MLS fans, he'll always been a Goonie (a San Jose Earthquakes player). And, you know, Goonies never say die.
In his 14th MLS season, Gordon has come off the Colorado Rapids' bench three times this year to deliver the game-winning goal after the 80th minute. His latest heroics came on Saturday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, when his 81st-minute tally lifted the Rapids over the Montreal Impact.
In June he did the same in Columbus in the 86th minute; Portland fell victim a week later with "Flash's" 89th-minute dagger. In total, that makes the 35-year-old the hero in three of the club's eight victories on the season.
Ultimate super-sub
Since 2011, Gordon has scored 18 goals as a starter and 20 off the bench, time and again showing his relentless spirit on the field.
Back to that Goonies reference, Gordon's best season was in 2012, when he scored a career-high 13 goals for the Quakes. That year, the team often found ways to win or tie games late, prompting his then teammate Steven Lenhart to reference the mid-1980s adventure movie and its "never say die" mantra.
He's now brought that spirit to Colorado, proving himself to be one of the best clutch players in MLS history.
