Houston Dynamo forward Dwayne De Rosario on Friday was named the 2006 MVP of the Canadian national team. It was the second consecutive such honor for the Scarborough, Ontario native.
"Getting the award is a great honor, no matter how many times you earn it," De Rosario told HoustonDynamo.com. "Just the fact that I get to represent my country at an international level is a dream come true, but being named the top soccer player in your country makes the whole experience a lot more meaningful."
DeRosario has 37 career appearances for Canada, scoring seven goals. The 28-year-old is a mainstay in Canada's midfield as that country's national team continues to improve in an effort to rise up into the world elite.
"For me, the ultimate goal is not necessarily winning awards, but helping Canada get to its first World Cup," De Rosario said. "I will continue working tirelessly until we make that happen."
Hard work is something that De Rosario is accustomed to, as is finding success. In his six seasons in MLS, De Rosario has lifted three MLS Cup trophies - a pair with the San Jose Earthquakes (2001 and 2003) before the side moved to Houston and captured the league championship in their first season in Texas.
"Dwayne is a very talented player, so I think this award is well-deserved," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "Winning this award once is great; winning it twice is even more impressive. I think he should be proud of the way he played in 2006."
De Rosario was named the MVP of the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, in which he scored the only goal to lift the MLS All-Stars to a win against reigning English Premier League champions Chelsea FC. De Rosario has also been a finalist for the MLS Honda MVP on two occasions, though he has yet to snag that award.
"It's hard not winning the MVP, but at the same time it is still an honor to be among a select group of players who represent the best the league has to offer," De Rosario said. "Again, my aim is not to win awards, but to do what I can on the field and give 100 percent at all times. Hopefully, some someday my turn will come to win in MLS."
De Rosario notched a career high 11 goals in 2006 to take his MLS career tally to 38. He also has provided 36 assists in his 138 appearances.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
