In wake of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s "El Trafico" and MLS debut shaking the social media universe, I got curious about the most-watched MLS highlights of all time, and spent Sunday afternoon binging old videos. Apparently Zlatan’s strike is only the fourth-most-viewed highlight (thus far). What could possibly compare to a 50-yard side volley, you ask? Well, for your viewing pleasure, here are the Top 5 most-watched MLS highlights on YouTube, as of April 4, 2018 – along with a few others you should probably see.
You’re welcome.
1. David Beckham - Bends it like … himself
July 9, 2011 | 7.41 million views
Becks bends a corner kick directly into the goal and nutmegs the keeper along the way.
2. David Beckham - Bends it like … I don't even know
May 12, 2012 | 4.26 million views
Are free kicks more your thing than corners? Becks has you covered there, too. A curler to the top right corner from the right side of the box (it felt as awkward to watch as it is to envision, so watch the clip).
3. David Beckham - Bends it like … a rocket
April 14, 2012 | 4.20 million views
Find corner kicks to be boring and free kicks to be trite? Then good ole’ Dave put together a 35-yard banger from open play.
4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Meets the moment
March 31, 2018 | 4.05 million views
It only took one game for the Lion to make his way onto the list.
5. Thierry Henry - Because bicycle kicks
May 8, 2013 | 3.96 million views
Obviously a bicycle kick had to make the list. Obviously it came from Thierry Henry.
Also of Note
These aren't the next ones on the list, but they do rank among my personal favorites.
Darlington Nagbe - Goal of the Year for a reason
July 2, 2011 | 2.2 million views
Just watch the dang video.
Eric Hassli - Whut.
June 11, 2011 | 2.1 million views
Of every video on the list, this is the one where you will most say “how the heck did he do that?”
Hassoun Camara - Juggling is hard enough upright
July 29, 2013 | 1.5 million views
He scored after juggling a few times. From the ground. Again: He scored after juggling the ball a few times while sitting on his butt.
Jorge Campos - Rainbow flick assist
There was once a time a goalkeeper did this on the field and I never wanted to forget it. (There was also a time video looked like this and I'm glad I'm not old.)
Eddie Pope - The '96 winner
And just because I'm a sucker for the nostalgic, here's MLS's OG big goal.
