Both former Manchester United stars arrived after the MLS season started, but each player had a huge impact on their respective sides.
Ibrahimovic joined the LA Galaxy in March, and recorded just the fourth 20-goal, 10-assist season in MLS history. His heroics were not enough to get the Galaxy in the playoffs, however.
Rooney, meanwhile, joined D.C. United in July and helped the capital club to a huge midseason turnaround, scoring 12 goals and adding seven assists as United went from last place to a playoff berth.
Like Ibrahimovic and Rooney, Carlos Vela has also been nominated for the MVP award, as well as the Newcomer of the Year award.
The Mexico international helped lead expansion side Los Angeles FC to the playoffs, scoring 14 goals and adding 13 assists.
The MVP finalists are rounded off by two Atlanta United stars: midfielder Miguel Almiron and striker Josef Martinez, who broke the league’s single-season scoring record in 2018 with 31 goals.
Full list of 2018 MLS award finalists
Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy) Josef Martinez (Atlanta United) Wayne Rooney (D.C. United) Carlos Vela (Los Angeles Football Club) Defender of the Year Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls) Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders FC) Michael Parkhurst (Atlanta United) Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders FC) Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls) Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC) Newcomer of the YearFor this award, “newcomer” is defined as a player with previous professional experience who made his MLS debut in 2018 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy) Wayne Rooney (D.C. United) Carlos Vela (Los Angeles Football Club) Rookie of the YearFor this award, “rookie” is defined as a player without previous professional experience who made his MLS debut in 2018 Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake) Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union) Chris Mueller (Orlando City SC) Coach of the Year Bob Bradley (Los Angeles Football Club) Gerardo “Tata” Martino (Atlanta United) Peter Vermes (Sporting Kansas City) Comeback Player of the YearHonors an MLS player who has overcome injuries and/or adversity in order to achieve success during the 2018 regular season Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders FC) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy) Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC) MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year Matt Lampson (Minnesota United FC) Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls) Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC) Referee of the Year Alan Kelly Nima Saghafi Robert Sibiga Assistant Referee of the Year Joe Fletcher CJ Morgante Corey Rockwell
