The 25-year-old forward Landon Donovan has been named U.S. soccer's player of the year. Mike O'Sullivan reports from Los Angeles, it was his fourth time winning the honor.
Donovan was the youngest player to be named U.S. player of the year in 2002, and by 2004, was the first consecutive three-time winner. Now, he is the only player to earn the national honor four times.
Alexi Lalas, general manager of Donovan's home team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, says Donovan is the best American player in the game today, and may be the best ever. "He is able to change a game single-handedly. And when you have that type of impact, they refer to you as a special player. He is as special as we've ever made them," he said.
Some 200 sports journalists make the selection, and Donovan won a landslide victory over runners-up Tim Howard and Carlos Bocanegra.
Donovan leads the U.S. national team with nine goals scored this year, including a three-goal game against Ecuador and four goals during the CONCACAF Gold Cup. His penalty kick against Mexico to win the fourth U.S. Gold Cup was his 34th career goal.