It was the most Zlatan introduction to Major League Soccer possible and the stunning long-range strike by Zlatan Ibrahimovic that leveled the match for the LA Galaxy against LAFC on March 31 also won AT&T Goal of the Year honors as voted by fans.
Coming off the bench to make his anticipated MLS debut, the iconic forward’s swerving volley from nearly 40 yards out sailed over LAFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller, into the net and into MLS lore. The viral moment, which brought the Galaxy back from a 3-0 deficit, was viewed by millions of fans worldwide.
It was the first of 22 goals on the season — the second was the headed stoppage-time winner in the same game — for Ibrahimovic, who also nabbed the 2018 MLS Newcomer of the Year award on Monday.
AT&T Goal of the Year Winners
- 2018: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- 2017: Hector Villalba - ATL vs. ORL on July 21, 2017
- 2016: Shkelzen Gashi - VAN vs COL on September 24, 2016
- 2015: Krisztian Nemeth - SKC vs POR on October 3, 2015
- 2014: Obafemi Martins - SEA vs SJ on May 17, 2014
- 2013: Camilo Sanvezzo - VAN vs POR on October 6, 2013
- 2012: Patrick Ianni - SEA vs SKC on June 20, 2012
- 2011: Darlington Nagbe - POR vs SKC on July 2, 2011
- 2010: Marco Pappa - CHI vs SJ on April 10, 2010
- 2009: Landon Donovan - LA vs NE on August 8, 2009
- 2008: Will Johnson - RSL vs DAL on October 18, 2008
- 2007: Cuauhtemoc Blanco - CHI vs RSL on August 18, 2007
- 2006: Brian Ching - HOU vs DC on September 30, 2006
- 2005: Dwayne De Rosario - SJ vs LA on October 15, 2005
- 2004: Dwayne De Rosario - SJ vs DC on August 2, 2004
- 2003: Damani Ralph - CHI vs CLB on August 13, 2003
- 2002: Carlos Ruiz - LA vs CLB on July 27, 2002
- 2001: Clint Mathis - NY vs DAL on April 28, 2001
- 2000: Marcelo Balboa - COL vs CLB on April 22, 2000
- 1999: Marco Etcheverry - DC vs MIA on May 22, 1999
- 1998: Brian McBride - CLB vs CHI on July 9, 1998
- 1997: Marco Etcheverry - DC vs NE on August 27, 1997
- 1996: Eric Wynalda - SJ vs DC on April 6, 1996
