MLS Major League Soccer

Carlos Vela Breaks Goalscoring Record with Hat Trick to Capture 2019 MLS Golden Boot Presented by Audi

Published on October 6, 2019 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK - Los Angeles Football Club forward Carlos Vela tonight won the 2019 Major League Soccer Golden Boot presented by Audi, establishing himself among the global game's scoring elite, with an MLS record-breaking 34 goals this season. Vela scored a hat trick on MLS Decision Day presented by AT&T to decisively overtake the goalscoring record.

The 34 goals tallied by Vela is tied for third worldwide alongside the reigning Golden Boot winners from both La Liga (Lionel Messi - 36 goals for FC Barcelona) and Ligue 1 (Kylian Mbappé - 33 goals for Paris Saint-Germain).

With a goals-per-game average of 1.10, Vela finishes the season above Messi (1.05) and in near reach of Mbappé's per-match production (1.13). Vela becomes the first player in MLS history to finish a season with a goals-per-game average higher than 1.0, joining Zlatan Ibrahimovic who finished 2019 with a goals-per-game average of 1.03.

Select highlights of Vela's record-breaking season can be found here.

Soundbyte reactions of Vela capturing the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi will be uploaded here following the match. Vela broke numerous records this season, surpassing Atlanta United forward Josef Martínez's mark of 31 goals in an MLS season set last year. Additionally, Vela's 49 combined goals (34) and assists (15) shatters the MLS record of 38 set by Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco in 2015.

By scoring 34 goals this year, Vela has raised $34,000 for the LAFC Academy through the 'Audi Goals Drive Progress' program, a multi-year initiative launch by Audi and dedicated to expanding the breadth of academy resources through contributions toward player education, housing and transportation. The funds raised by Vela - $1,000 per goal scored during the 2019 MLS season - will be used by the LAFC Academy to ensure young players are supported as they endeavor to maintain excellence on the pitch and in the classroom.

"Since 2015, Audi has been proud to support MLS and its journey to showcase the best soccer talent in the world," said Loren Angelo, vice president of Marketing, Audi of America. "We're thrilled to congratulate Carlos Vela on his Golden Boot win, and look forward to both his continued success on the pitch, but also the success of the 'Audi Goals Drive Progress' program and its pursuit to grow the sport of soccer in America."

Vela helped LAFC break the MLS record for points in a season, finishing the year with 72 points (21-4-9 overall record). Vela was also named captain for the MLS All-Stars for the second consecutive year, leading the league's biggest names against Atlético de Madrid at the 2019 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target.

Major League Soccer Golden Boot/Scoring Champion winners

Season Player Team Goals/Points (G/A)

2019 Carlos Vela Los Angeles Football Club 34 goals

2018 Josef Martínez Atlanta United 31 goals

2017 Nemanja Nikoli? Chicago Fire 24 goals

2016 Bradley Wright-Phillips New York Red Bulls 24 goals

2015 Sebastian Giovinco Toronto FC 22 goals

2014 Bradley Wright-Phillips New York Red Bulls 27 goals

2013 Camilo Sanvezzo Vancouver Whitecaps FC 22 goals

2012 Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes 27 goals

2011 Dwayne De Rosario D.C. United 16 goals

2010 Chris Wondolowski San Jose Earthquakes 18 goals

2009 Jeff Cunningham FC Dallas 17 goals

2008 Landon Donovan Los Angeles Galaxy 20 goals

2007 Luciano Emílio D.C. United 20 goals

2006 Jeff Cunningham Real Salt Lake 16 goals

2005 Taylor Twellman New England Revolution 17 goals

2004 Amado Guevara MetroStars 30 (10g, 10a)

Pat Noonan New England Revolution 30 (11g, 8 a)

(TOP 3: Amado Guevara, MetroStars (10g, 10a = 30 pts); Pat Noonan, New England Revolution (11g, 8a = 30 pts); Brian Ching, San Jose Earthquakes (12g, 4a = 28 pts)

2003 Preki Kansas City Wizards 41 (12g, 17a)

(TOP 3: Preki, Kansas City Wizards (12g, 17a = 41 pts); Carlos Ruiz, L.A. Galaxy (15g, 5a = 35 pts); Ante Razov, Chicago Fire (14g, 6a = 34 pts); Taylor Twellman, New England Revolution (15g, 4a = 34 pts)

2002 Taylor Twellman New England Revolution 52 (23g, 6a)

(TOP 3: Taylor Twellman, New England Revolution (23g, 6a = 52 pts); Carlos Ruiz, Los Angeles Galaxy (24g, 1a = 49 pts); Jeff Cunningham, Columbus Crew (16g, 5a = 37 pts)

2001 Alex Pineda Chacón Miami Fusion 47 (19g, 4a)

(TOP 3: Alex Pineda Chacón, Miami Fusion (19g, 4a = 47 pts); Diego Serna, Miami Fusion, (15g, 15a = 45 pts); John Spencer, Colorado Rapids, (14g, 7a = 35 pts)

2000 Mamadou Diallo Tampa Bay Mutiny 56 (26g, 4a)

(TOP 3: Mamadou Diallo, Tampa Bay Mutiny (26g, 4a = 56 pts); Clint Mathis, Los Angeles/MetroStars, (16g, 14a = 46 pts); Ante Razov, Chicago Fire (18g, 6a = 42 pts); Diego Serna, Miami Fusion, (16g, 10a = 42 pts)

1999 Jason Kreis Dallas Burn 51 (18g, 15a)

(TOP 3: Jason Kreis, Dallas Burn (18g, 15a = 51 pts); Roy Lassiter, D.C. United, (18g, 11a = 47 pts); Ronald Cerritos, San Jose Clash (15g, 9a = 39 pts)

1998 Stern John Columbus Crew 57 (26g, 5a)

(TOP 3: Stern John, Columbus Crew (26g, 5a = 57 pts); Cobi Jones, Los Angeles Galaxy (19g, 13a = 51 pts); Welton, Los Angeles Galaxy (17g, 11a = 45 pts)

1997 Preki Kansas City Wizards 41 (12g, 17a)

(TOP 3: Preki, Kansas City Wizards (12g, 17a = 41 pts); Jaime Moreno, D.C. United, (16g, 8a = 40 pts); Raul Diaz Arce, D.C. United (15g, 6a = 36 pts)

1996 Roy Lassiter Tampa Bay Mutiny 58 (27g, 4a)

(TOP 3: Roy Lassiter, Tampa Bay Mutiny (27g, 4a = 58 pts); Preki, Kansas City Wiz (18g, 13a = 49 pts); Eduardo Hurtado, Los Angeles Galaxy, (21g, 7a = 49 pts)

* up to the 2004 season, the Scoring Champion was determined by total points, with a goal counting two points and assists counting as one. Beginning in 2005, the title was renamed the Golden Boot, and awarded to the leading goalscorer in the season. In case of a tie, the winner will be decided by the player with the most assists; if still tied, the winner will be the player with fewer minutes played.

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