The drop was longer than he expected.
But Roger Levesque held his nose and went for it, tumbling backwards along the end line barrier at Qwest Field for the “scuba dive.”
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Levesque, the former soccer standout at Falmouth High now having his best season in Major League Soccer, was celebrating a goal he scored for the Seattle Sounders that later made the rounds on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Levesque scored the goal by trailing a shot toward the goalkeeper and picking up a misplayed ball.
He took a pair of touches, finished and ran to the barrier to celebrate.
“It was a longer drop than expected but I think the adrenaline was pumping at that point,” said Levesque, 30. “It’s one of those things you run at the goalkeeper a thousand times. Pretty much every time they clear it away and you don’t get anything out of it.
“It’s a good lesson for youth players. That one time it just might pay off.”
Levesque has two goals in three starts for the Sounders this season and has had another nine appearances off the bench.
That is by far the most minutes he’s played in three years with the team.
He’s nearly eclipsed last year’s total minutes of 510. He has played 497 minutes in 12 games. Two seasons ago, he played just 260 minutes.
He has evolved as a player since lighting up the field at Falmouth High a dozen years ago.
Levesque went on to play at Stanford, then set off to fight for his time in various levels of professional soccer.
“Roger would play for a cheeseburger,” said Sounders assistant coach Brian Schmetzer. “He loves to play soccer. You really wouldn’t have to pay him.”
Schmetzer has coached Levesque since 2003 when he was a member of the lower-level USL Sounders, and has seen subtle evolution in his game while coaching him through ups and downs.
Schmetzer said Levesque now is a veteran presence on the roster.
Levesque generally plays a striker or midfield position but has even seen time at right back this year.
“He’s such a versatile guy,” said Schmetzer. “When he starts in a game he’s going to play all 90 minutes. When he comes on as a sub, it’s when we need a goal or (need) help trying to lock things down. He can do it all.”
Levesque said he’s never stopped trying to prove himself.
“It’s every training session at this point,” said Levesque. “It’s so competitive. The level is so high.
“Every day you have to go out and play to the best of your ability. Even in a training session the coaching staff is looking for the players who will get the job done.”
The Sounders are one of the most popular MLS teams, generally selling out their games.
That adds to the fun, said Levesque.
“It’s just an exciting time for the game. The buzz that’s been created in the Pacific Northwest has been great,” he said. “I’m hoping it can catch hold in the rest of the country.”
Back in 2009, Levesque became known for an earlier celebration dubbed “falling timber.”
He fell backwards on the pitch as a teammate pretended to swing an ax at his feet.
His latest celebration was nothing short of hilarious.
“That summed up his spirit: mischievous at times, smiling, but always working hard,” said Schmetzer.
Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:
jmenendez@pressherald.com
Twitter: JennMenendez
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