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 forwards 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