With the conclusion of the Major League Soccer regular season on Sunday, D.C. United forward Luciano Emilio claimed the Budweiser Golden Boot, awarded to the League's leading goal scorer during the regular season. Emilio scored 20 goals during the 2007 campaign, one more than New York Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel and four ahead of New England Revolution forward Taylor Twellman.
Emilio, 28, helped lead United to a 16-7-7 record and their second consecutive Supporters' Shield title for finishing the regular season with the most points in MLS. Emilio is the first MLS player to reach the 20 goal mark in one season since 2002, when current FC Dallas forward Carlos Ruiz scored 24 goals for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Twellman scored 23 for New England.
Among Emilio's 20 goals were four game winners, which tied for third most in the League. He and Angel tied for the most multi-goal games this season with five apiece. Emilio claimed MLS Player of the Week honors in Week 11 and Week 18, and was named September's Player of the Month.
The first-year MLS forward joined D.C. United in January 2007 from CD Olimpia of Honduras and immediately had an impact with his new team as he scored four goals in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and led D.C. United to the tournament semifinals. Emilio has played professionally in Brazil, Germany, Honduras, Mexico and the United States.
Entering the MLS Cup Playoffs, Emilio and D.C. United have the top seed in the Eastern Conference. United will open their postseason campaign against the Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, which begin in Chicago on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). United will host the second game of the series on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
Top Goal Scorers in Each Season:
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 (Los Angeles Galaxy); Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
2002: 24 goals - Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles 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)
