Vito Mannone knows a thing or two about pressure.



The Italian began his professional career with Arsenal after joining at age 16. One of his first starts for the club in 2009 was in a Champions League group stage match against Olympiacos—a game the Gunners won 2-0. He’s served as the goalkeeper in many a relegation battle in subsequent stints at Sunderland and Reading, doing everything he can to keep the cause alive.



So when FC Dallas captain Reto Ziegler stepped up to the spot to take a penalty kick that Mannone himself conceded with a foul in stoppage time, the goalkeeper kept a level head. As the Swiss defender adjusted his run-up, Mannone was able to get a longer read at his intentions. He guessed that a dive to his right would do the trick, and he was right. It secured a vital 1-0 win against a Western Conference rival. As of Monday morning, the Loons sat fourth in the West.



Pressure? No, it was just part of the job.



“Emotion...