Black-and-Red fans have spoken, and rookie Ian Harkes' first career MLS goal against FC Dallas has been voted United's Goal of the Year for 2017.
The 22-year-old Homegrown Player started 22 matches for United this season, scoring two goals and adding an assist in his rookie campaign. Harkes opened his MLS account on July 4 at Dallas, where he gave the Black-and-Red a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute. The midfielder collected a cross at the top of the box and confidently buried his shot in the upper 90, earning himself MLS' Goal of the Week honors for the beautiful strike.
The rookie scored his second goal in as many games two weeks later at Seattle, receiving a ball inside the box, cutting to the outside of his defender, and burying in the opposite post. Harkes' first career MLS assist came at home in United's 2-1 win over Atlanta on June 21.
Fans voted for United's Goal of the Year on the club's Facebook and Twitter pages following the season's end. Paul Arriola's first career MLS goal against the New York Red Bulls was voted runner-up, while Jared Jeffrey's strike at New England, Patrick Mullins' free kick score against San Jose, and Patrick Nyarko's volley against Atlanta rounded out the top goals of the season.
