[MLS AWARDS] The Seattle Sounders' Patrick Ianni became only the second defender to score the MLS Goal of the Year when he was awarded the 2012 AT&T Goal of the Year for his side volley on June 20 against Sporting Kansas City.
 
Ianni launched himself horizontally to meet Mauro Rosales' curling free kick with a right-footed side volley inside the near post for the tying goal in a match that ended 1-1.

It was Ianni's first goal of the season -- and the fourth of his seven-year career.
 
Ianni's goal bested Darlington Nagbe's strike against Real Salt Lake, teammate Fredy Montero's long-range blast against the Los Angeles Galaxy and the goal by New England's Lee Nguyen against Vancouver.

Marcelo Balboa's goal for the Colorado Rapids won the 2000 Goal of the Year.
 
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