LOS ANGELES (Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018) — The LA Galaxy announced today the recipients of the club’s 2018 team awards following the conclusion of the team’s 2018 MLS Regular season. Forward Zlatan Ibrahimović was named 2018 LA Galaxy Player of the Year, presented by Herbalife Nutrition, in addition to earning Golden Boot honors. Ashley Cole was named LA Galaxy Defender of the year and defender Daniel Steres was named LA Galaxy Humanitarian of the Year.
For LA Galaxy II, midfielder Efrain Alvarez was named Player of the Year, John Requejo was named Defender of the Year, defender Hugo Arellano was named Los Dos Humanitarian of the Year and forward Frank Lopez earned Golden Boot honors.
In the Academy ranks, defender Ian Lonergan was named the LA Galaxy Boys’ Academy Player of the Year, and Sofia Cook was named the LA Galaxy Girls’ Academy Player of the Year.
LA GALAXY
LA Galaxy Player of the Year, presented by Herbalife Nutrition: Zlatan Ibrahimović – Forward
Ibrahimović earns Player of the Year honors after turning in one of the finest seasons ever played in a Galaxy uniform. Since arriving in late March, Ibrahimović has tallied a remarkable 22 goals and 10 assists in 26 appearances. The numbers make for an MLS record 1.40 goals and assists averaged per 90 minutes. Ibrahimović added seven game-winning goals on the year.
LA Galaxy Defender of the Year: Ashley Cole – Defender
In his third season with the Galaxy and first season as captain, Cole led all MLS defenders in assists with ten, also a club record for a defender. Cole co-led the Galaxy in assists this year with Ibrahimović. Cole led all Galaxy defenders with 30 starts and contributed four game-winning assists to the Galaxy’s campaign.
LA Galaxy Humanitarian of the Year: Daniel Steres – Defender
Steres was a standout representative for the LA Galaxy Foundation in 2018, leading team efforts to connect with the Los Angeles community throughout the season. Steres was an ambassador for the 2018 LA Galaxy Special Olympics Unified Team, visited children at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and participated in numerous soccer clinics put on for local youth.
Golden Boot: Zlatan Ibrahimović – Forward
In his first season with the Galaxy, Ibrahimović recorded 22 goals, the second-most in LA Galaxy club history. Forward Ola Kamara finished second with 14 goals while Romain Alessandrini was third with 11.
LA GALAXY II
LA Galaxy II Player of the Year: Efrain Alvarez – Midfielder
Alvarez established himself as an important piece of LA Galaxy II in his first full season with the club. Alvarez recorded 12 goals and 3 assists in 17 appearances for LA Galaxy II this season – posting an impressive 1.09 goals or assists tallied every 90 minutes played. He also earned the No. 1 spot on USL’s 20 Under 20 list, as well as No. 17 of MLSsoccer.com’s 22 Under 22 ranking.
LA Galaxy II Defender of the Year: John Requejo – Defender
In his first season with LA Galaxy II, Requejo made 27 appearances during the 2018 USL Regular Season. Requejo joined Los Dos in March 2018 after three years under contract with Club Tijuana. In addition to his play along Los Dos’ backline, Requejo tallied two assists on the season.
LA Galaxy II Humanitarian of the Year: Hugo Arellano – Defender
An important member of LA Galaxy II’s efforts on and off the field, Arellano notably stepped up off the pitch in 2018, spending numerous hours helping LA Galaxy Foundation in their community efforts. He volunteered and made appearances at several Foundation events and was heavily involved in the Protect the Pitch initiative and youth soccer clinics.
Golden Boot: Frank Lopez – Forward
Lopez earned Golden Boot honors with 13 goals on the year. Lopez, from Cienfuegos, Cuba, signed his first professional contract with LA Galaxy II before the start of the 2018 season, and made 28 appearances in 2018 USL Regular Season play. From July 1 to August 18, Lopez recorded a goal in every match he played, stringing together a seven-game scoring streak, his longest of the season.
LA GALAXY ACADEMY
Boys’ Academy Player of the Year: Ian Lonergan – Defender
Lonergan, 19, impressed across the organization to earn a second consecutive season of call-ups to LA Galaxy II. He also excelled in the Academy ranks, helping lead the LA Galaxy Academy U-19s to the championship match of the USSDA playoffs. He currently plays for the University of California, Berkeley, and has appeared in 15 matches, recording one assist in his freshman season.
Girls’ Academy Player of the Year: Sofia Cook – Midfielder
Cook, born in 2004, played with the 2003s during the 2017-18 season and is playing with the 2002s in the current season. Cook is a regular with the 2004 U.S. Youth National Team and was a member of the 2018 U15 Concacaf Championship at IMG Academy.
LA Galaxy Season Ticket Member
LA Galaxy Season Ticket Member of the Year: Elizabeth Avila
Avila attended every LA Galaxy preseason, U.S. Open Cup and MLS Regular Season game this year. Avila also hit the road in 2018 to cheer on the Galaxy in New York and Colorado. She’s been involved with other LA Galaxy supporter groups, helping with the Galaxians’ pop-up museum on Galaxy gamedays.
