The votes are in and Columbus Crew SC midfielder Darlington Nagbe has won the 2020 AT&T Goal of the Year, Major League Soccer announced Friday.
Nagbe claimed the honors with a stunning volley in the Crew’s 3-0 win over Chicago Fire FC on Aug. 20, popping the ball up to himself before launching home a screamer in the 81st minute. It stood as Nagbe’s only goal of the season, with his efforts helping Columbus earn the No. 3 seed in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
It’s the second time Nagbe has won Goal of the Year, with the midfielder also winning the 2011 edition for another long-range blast. In a similar pop-up fashion, the 2011 golazo came during his time at the Portland Timbers, when Nagbe collected a clearance against Sporting Kansas City before hitting an outside-of-the-foot volley into the top corner.
Nagbe, 30, joined Columbus via trade from Atlanta United ahead of the 2020 season. One of the club’s three Designated Players, he finished with one goal and one assist in 15 matches (14 starts) while battling injuries. He’s also earned 25 caps with the US men’s national team.
Looking through the history books, this is the second time a Columbus player earned Goal of the Year honors. Brian McBride won the 1998 version for an incredible side volley off a cross from the right flank.
AT&T Goal of the Year Winners
- 2020: Darlington Nagbe - CLB vs CHI on August 20, 2020
- 2019: Josef Martinez - ATL vs. CIN on September 18, 2019
- 2018: Zlatan Ibrahimovic - LA vs. LAFC on March 31, 2018
- 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
