Landon Donovan, 20, has been named U.S. soccer's Honda player of the year. He is the youngest player ever awarded the honor.
A surprised Landon Donovan beat out veterans Brad Friedel and Claudio Reyna in the poll of U.S. sports journalists that determines the player of the year. He accepted the award in Beverly Hills, California, Tuesday. "I've been so blessed this year with a lot of different things," he said. "It's hard. You don't really know how to react. I mean, it's special but I'm really astonished."
Donovan scored two goals in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and helped the U.S. team reach the quarterfinals. He scored six goals overall for the United States this year.
Donovan plays in the regular season for U.S. Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes, the 2001 U.S. champions. His first game with the national team came two years ago in a match against Mexico.