Galaxy's Landon Donovan wins Honda Player of the Year and Decade honors

October 22, 1:13 PMLos Angeles Galaxy ExaminerMatthew Hall

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Landon Donovan Player of the Year/Decade (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Landon Donovan has been awarded the best American player for his work with the US Men’s National Team in 2009. This is his sixth time winning the award, and his role in leading the Americans to the World Cup in 2010 shows why he is so important in the squad. The Los Angeles Galaxy forward also enjoyed competing in the Confederations Cup this summer, helping his side reach the finals after beating European Champions Spain.

Landon has scored a leading 42 goals during his 120 games with the national team. He first won the Honda Player of the Year award in 2002, when he led the US to the World Cup quarterfinals. "I think this year was, aside from 2002, as long as I've been part of the national team, the best year the national team's had" Donovan told the media. "So to be part of it, to be recognized for that, is very cool."

In 2002 he was the youngest player to ever win this award, and his consistent form since then has lead him to take Honda Player of the Decade honors. Donovan is also currently in line to receive the MLS Most Valuable Player award, leading the Galaxy to their first playoff birth in four seasons.

"I had three goals at the beginning of this year," Donovan told the media at the awards press conference, "One was to qualify for the World Cup. The second was to get the Galaxy to the playoffs. And the third was to be as complete a player as I can be at this point in my career. I know I accomplished the first two, and I feel I accomplished the third."

Rumors surrounding Donovan’s departure swirled this summer as both Livorno in Italy and Paris St. Germaine in France were top contenders for his signature. Donovan instead declared his intentions to finish out this season with the Galaxy, looking to win another MLS Championship with the club. This has proved to be an excellent decision, as the Galaxy have a chance of finishing first in the Western Conference going into the playoffs.

The Honda Player of the Year Award

This award was created 19 years ago by Fútbol de Primera and sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Previous winners include Clint Dempsey (2006), Kasey Keller (2005, 1999), Earnie Stewart (2001), Claudio Reyna (2000), Cobi Jones (1998), Eddie Pope (1997), Eric Wynalda (1996, 1992), Alexi Lalas (1995), Marcelo Balboa (1994), Thomas Dooley (1993) and Hugo Perez (1991).

221 journalists across the nation selected Donovan as the recipient of the most prestigious honor given to an American soccer player this year, awarding him a total of 424 points. Goalkeeper Tim Howard finished second with 267 points and forward Jozy Altidore placed third with 175 points. A player receives three points for each first-place vote, two points for each second-place vote, and one point for each third-place vote. In order to be eligible for the Honda Player of the Year Award, a player must play in a minimum of three (3) games for the U.S. National Team during the calendar year.