Sounders FC defender Patrick Ianni has been awarded the 2012 AT&T Goal of the Year.
RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC defender Patrick Ianni has been awarded the 2012 AT&T Goal of the Year by Major League Soccer.
On June 20 against Sporting Kansas City, Patrick Ianni launched himself horizontally to meet Mauro Rosales’ curling free kick with a right-footed side volley inside the near post. The goal tied the match in the 15th minute and the game ended 1-1. It marked Ianni’s first goal of the season – the fourth of his seven-year career – and was named MLS Goal of the Week.
“It was a special moment for the team and the organization,” Ianni said. “Watching the fans reactions was the best. I felt just like them when I watch the clip.”
Ianni’s goal bested Darlington Nagbe’s strike against Real Salt Lake, and Fredy Montero’s long-range blast against the LA Galaxy finished third.
The award marks the first time that a Seattle player has earned Goal of the Year. Kasey Keller previously won Save of the Year in 2010 and 2011. The AT&T Goal of the Year was determined by an online and text fan vote, after 64 initial nominations for the award were eventually narrowed to four finalists. The final poll results for the four finalists:
Patrick Ianni (SEA) vs. SKC, 6/20 33.1%
Darlington Nagbe (POR) vs. RSL, 3/31 25.1%
Fredy Montero (SEA) vs. LA, 5/2 22.8%
Lee Nguyen (NE) vs. VAN, 5/12 19.0%
MLS Goal of the Year Winners
2012: Patrick Ianni – Seattle Sounders FC vs. Sporting Kansas City – June 20, 2012
2011: Darlington Nagbe – Portland Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City – July 2, 2011
2010: Marco Pappa – Chicago Fire vs. San Jose Earthquakes – April 10, 2010
2009: Landon Donovan – LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution – August 8, 2009
2008: Will Johnson – Real Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas – October 18, 2008
2007: Cuauhtemoc Blanco – Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake – August 18, 2007
2006: Brian Ching – Houston Dynamo vs. D.C. United – September 30, 2006
2005: Dwayne De Rosario – San Jose Earthquakes at LA Galaxy – October 15, 2005
2004: Dwayne De Rosario – San Jose Earthquakes vs. D.C. United – August 2, 2004
2003: Damani Ralph – Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew – August 13, 2003
2002: Carlos Ruiz – LA Galaxy vs. Columbus Crew – July 27, 2002
2001: Clint Mathis – MetroStars vs. Dallas Burn – April 28, 2001
2000: Marcelo Balboa – Colorado Rapids at Columbus Crew – April 22, 2000
1999: Marco Etcheverry – D.C. United at Miami Fusion – May 22, 1999
1998: Brian McBride – Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire – July 9, 1998
1997: Marco Etcheverry – D.C. United vs. New England Revolution – August 27, 1997
1996: Eric Wynalda – San Jose Earthquakes vs. D.C. United – April 6, 1996
