Adding another prestigious honor to his outstanding career, LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan has been named the 2009 Volkswagen MLS MVP.
The 27-year old, nine-year MLS veteran receives the honor for the first time in his career. Widely considered as the best American player ever, Donovan added to his 2009 awards after being named to the MLS Best XI and the winner of the 2009 AT&T Goal of the Year.
Donovan received the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches and members of the media. FC Dallas forward Jeff Cunningham and New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph were the two other finalists for the award.
Donovan led his club with 12 goals and six assists in 25 games, despite missing a month of the season while at the FIFA Confederations Cup with the U.S. National Team. His inspired play this year helped lead the Galaxy to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.
After a recent playoff victory, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said of his captain, "He's grown on the field as a player. He's a more mature consistent player, but his role off the field with this team has been perhaps even better, remarkable. The things he did to help build this team to have the right kind of team chemistry, to be a leader ... Landon was consistently here every day and taking the responsibility of a captain. He's been doing a fantastic job."
The prolific goal scorer was named to his ninth consecutive MLS All-Star Team this year. He scored his 96th career regular season goal, which ranks fifth all-time. He sits just four goals away from becoming the youngest MLS player to score 100 career goals. Taylor Twellman achieved the mark this season at 29 years and 100 days.
He is the all-time leading scorer in the MLS Cup Playoffs with 17 goals. He also has 75 assists in regular season MLS games. Five players in MLS history have registered more than 80 goals and more than 60 assists in their career. Among those five, Donovan has the highest per-game rate of contributing goals and assists.
Donovan and the Galaxy face Real Salt Lake in MLS Cup 2009 on Sunday, Nov. 22 at Qwest Field in Seattle. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN and Galavision starting at 5:30 p.m. (PT). Donovan is looking to win his fourth MLS Cup. He won two with the San Jose Earthquakes and one with the LA Galaxy.
Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Players
2009:
Landon Donovan - LA Galaxy
2008:
Guillermo Barros Schelotto - Columbus Crew
2007:
Luciano Emilio - D.C. United
2006:
Christian Gomez - D.C. United
2005:
Taylor Twellman - New England Revolution
2004:
Amado Guevara - MetroStars
2003:
Preki - Kansas City Wizards
2002:
Carlos Ruiz - Los Angeles Galaxy
2001:
Alex Pineda Chacon - Miami Fusion
2000:
Tony Meola - Kansas City Wizards
1999:
Jason Kreis - Dallas Burn
1998:
Marco Etcheverry - D.C. United
1997:
Preki - Kansas City Wizards
1996:
Carlos Valderrama - Tampa Bay Mutiny
