In one of the most star-studded and enthralling races in league history, LAFC forward Carlos Vela has won the 2019 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi, finishing with a league-record 34 goals. Zlatan Ibrahimovic finished in second with 30 goals.
Vela tied the single-season record for goals in LAFC's penultimate game of the season, before scoring a hat trick on Decision Day presented by AT&T. The record had been set at 31 by Josef Martinez only last season. His 34 goals were more than FC Cincinnati scored all season (31).
With 34 goals, Vela trailed only Lionel Messi (36) across the leading scorers in each of Europe's top five leagues in their 2018-19 seasons. He found the back of the net more often more than Fabio Quagliarella (26), Robert Lewandowski (22) and the Premier League's top scorers, with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all tied with 22.
Vela also added 15 assists, setting a new league record of goals plus assists with 49. He captained LAFC to the Supporters' Shield, while the club set single-season records for points with 72 and goal differential at +48.
With his 34 goals, Vela contributed a total of $51,000 to the Audi Goals Drive Progress program fund.
All-time MLS Golden Boot winners
- 2019: 34 goals – Carlos Vela (LAFC)
- 2018: 31 goals – Josef Martinez (Atlanta United)
- 2017: 24 goals – Nemanja Nikolic (Chicago Fire)
- 2016: 24 goals – Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls)
- 2015: 22 goals – Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), Kei Kamara (Columbus Crew SC)
- 2014: 27 goals – Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls)
- 2013: 22 goals – Camilo Sanvezzo (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
- 2012: 27 goals – Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
- 2011: 16 goals – Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
- 2010: 18 goals – Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
- 2009: 17 goals – Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas)
- 2008: 20 goals – Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
- 2007: 20 goals – Luciano Emilio (D.C. United)
- 2006: 16 goals – Jeff Cunningham (Real Salt Lake)
- 2005: 17 goals – Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
- 2004: 12 goals – Eddie Johnson (Dallas Burn); Brian Ching (San Jose Earthquakes)
- 2003: 15 goals – Carlos Ruiz (LA Galaxy); Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
- 2002: 24 goals – Carlos Ruiz (LA Galaxy)
- 2001: 19 goals – Alex Pineda Chacon (Miami Fusion)
- 2000: 26 goals – Mamadou Diallo (Tampa Bay Mutiny)
- 1999: 18 goals – Stern John (Columbus Crew); Roy Lassiter (D.C. United); Jason Kreis (Dallas Burn)
- 1998: 26 goals – Stern John (Columbus Crew)
- 1997: 16 goals – Jaime Moreno (D.C. United)
- 1996: 27 goals – Roy Lassiter (Tampa Bay Mutiny)
