Landon Donovan wins player of the year award

Landon Donovan has claimed an unprecedented sixth Honda Player of the Year Award given annually to the U.S. national team’s top player.

Donovan received 424 points in balloting by 221 media members, finishing ahead of two England-based teammates, goalkeeper Tim Howard (267 points), who plays for Everton FC, and 19-year-old forward Jozy Altidore (178), who is with Hull City on loan from Spanish power Villarreal.

“I think this year was, aside from 2002 (when the U.S. reached the World Cup quarterfinals), as long as I’ve been part of the national team, the best year the national team’s had,” said Donovan, who won the Honda Award for the third successive year after winning three in a row in 2002-04. “Maybe including 2002. So to be part of it, to be recognized for that, is very cool.”

Donovan has had a terrific year for the U.S. National team, scoring five goals and 10 assists in 15 U.S. games this year. He scored or assisted 12 of the Americans’ 19 goals during the six-nation final round of CONCACAF qualifying for next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

The nickname LandyCakes has been vanquished. LD is the best player on the U.S. National team and he had lived up to that billing all year. U.S. soccer fans are hoping that LD can replicate this season’s form next summer in South Africa.