Despite a year that tested the limits of everyone in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 still produced its share of memorable sports moments in Los Angeles.
After a year like no other, LAFC and Diego Rossi found themselves honored as a nominee for “L.A.’s 2020 Greatest Sports Moments,” as part of the Los Angeles Sports Council’s annual L.A. Sports Awards, announced this week. Rossi’s on-field achievements, driven by his capture of Major League Soccer’s top scoring crown, “The Golden Boot,” while being the youngest player in league history to do so, was nominated alongside other local achievements including the opening of SoFI Stadium, Dodgers’ pitcher Clayton Kershaw setting a new all-time League postseason record for strikeouts with 207 among others (full list can be found below).
This will be the third consecutive year LAFC is in the local spotlight in the annual L.A. Sports Awards show after former LAFC President Tom Penn took home “Executive of the Year” honors in 2018 and LAFC Head Coach Bob Bradley took home the 2019 honor for “Coach of the Year.”
LA’s 2020 Greatest Sports Moments were selected and ranked by the L.A. Sports Council Foundation’s expert panel of Los Angeles-based media members which includes: Diana Alvarado (Univision), Ricardo Lopez Juarez (La Opinion), Jill Painter Lopez (MLB Network), Jaime Maggio (KCBS), Liz Habib (KTTV/FOX), Rahshaun Haylock (KTLA), Cobi Jones (Spectrum SportsNet) and Alanna Rizzo.
The Final ranking of the Top-10 moments as chosen by the Media Panel, will be revealed from SoFi Stadium – home of the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers and Super Bowl LVI as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2028 Olympic Games - during the LA Sports Awards broadcast.
The annual star-studded awards show will be a virtual event hosted by Spectrum SportsNet broadcasters Allie Clifton and John Hartung. The event will be televised on Spectrum SportsNet and select digital platforms. The L.A. Sports Awards will be accompanied by an online silent auction, with proceeds benefitting the Los Angeles Sports Council’s most important program: Ready, Set, Gold!, a community health, fitness and social and emotional learning initiative that promotes healthy and active lifestyles to children.
More information on the annual LA Sports Awards can be found here.
Full Honoree List Can Be Found Below:
Angel City FC: All-star investor group announces formation of National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) franchise set to begin competing in 2022 (July 21)
Angels: Albert Pujols hits his 661st and 662nd home run to pass the legendary Willie Mays for fifth on MLB’s all-time home runs list (September 18)
Chargers: Quarterback Justin Herbert throws for 4,336 yards and 31 touchdowns in his first season in the NFL, capping a remarkable season that earned the 22-year old the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and NFL Pepsi Rookie of the Year honors.
Clippers: Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank was named 2019-20 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year (October 8) after leading the front office to shape a roster headlined by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
Dodgers: Dodgers win the World Series for the first time since 1988, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays, four games to two (October 27)
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw strikes out six in game five of the World Series (5.2 innings) to set a new all-time postseason record for strikeouts with 207 (October 25)
Lakers: Lakers defeat Miami, 106-93, in Game 6 of the NBA Finals – held in the “NBA Bubble” in Orlando - to earn the club’s 17th NBA title (October 11)
Lakers: Anthony Davis hits game-winning three to lift the Lakers to a 105-103 win over Denver, giving the team a 2-0 lead in the NBA Western Conference Finals (Sep 20)
LAFC: MLS international Diego Rossi, 22, wins the 2020 MLS Golden Boot, leading the league with 14 goals in just 19 appearances. Rossi is the youngest player in league history to win the award and LAFC is the first Club to ever produce back-to-back Golden Boot winners after Carlos Vela took the title in the 2019 season. (November 8)
SoFi Stadium: Rams open SoFi Stadium, LA’s new indoor-outdoor, 70,000 seat venue, opens with a Rams 20-17 win over Dallas on Sunday Night Football (September 13)
UCLA: Senior Kyla Ross repeats as Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year, becoming only the second back-to-back winner in conference history (March 25)
