A little over a week from now, the airwaves will be filled with spectacular soccer highlights being beamed straight from Brazil as the World Cup kicks off down in Rio de Janeiro.
But as impressive as we expect all of this footage of fútbol agility and talent will be, it might not be as astounding as one insane soccer move that took place recently right here in Arizona, which (last we checked) isn't exactly the world capital of the sport.
See also: Arizona Filmmaker Joseph Wennerlund Is On the Journey of a Lifetime to Rio for the World Cup
As such, it's likely that you'd never heard of soccer player Odaine Sinclair before last week. But after the Jamaican-born striker staged an absolutely eye-popping bicycle kick in mid-air that led to a goal on Thursday, May 29, during a game in Tucson, he's now world famous, at least for the moment.
Sinclair, who competes with semi-pro developmental soccer team FC Tucson, made the flying kick (where a player leaps and flips backwards into the air) at the end of the first half of a home game against Brigham Young University at Kino Park in Tucson.
As you can see by the above video clip, which has gotten upwards of half a million views on YouTube as of this writing, the soccer ball caroms at Sinclair from above after getting headbutted by one of his teammates before he calmly flings himself backwards like a luchadore, kicks it with pinpoint accuracy, and send it on a high arc into the waiting goal about 20 yards away.
Even if you've never seen a single soccer game in your life, it's definitely an amazing feat to watch and is all the more impressive given how impossible bicycle kicks are to pull off, according to Wikipedia:
Due to the move's level of difficulty, only a few players have been able to make it into what could be a special hall of fame for those who have performed, scored, or effectively defended with the use of a bicycle kick. The acrobatic skill and handling of the ball that is generally required has often made it nearly impossible for players to make the move in important situations.
Here's another look at his amazing kick from a different angle.
Needless to say, Sinclair's kick and subsequent goal not only was the number one highlight on ESPN's SportsCenter on Friday, May 30, its been shown on sports shows around the world.
And by the way, FC Tucson wound up beating BYU, 2-0, after Sinclair made another goal (albeit of the more mundane variety) in the second half.
