Earnie Stewart, the U.S. national team’s leading scorer in World Cup qualifying, has been selected as the 2001 Honda Player of the Year as the top American in a vote by the American sports media. Stewart’s five goals in 2001 against Mexico, Honduras and Trinidad & Tobago made him the U.S. all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying with 11 goals. Stewart, 32, received the most prestigious honor in U.S. professional soccer this afternoon in person during a gala luncheon at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. He received permission from his Dutch Eredivisie club, NAC Bred,a to travel to Los Angeles and attend this afternoon’s ceremony. Stewart arrived in Los Angeles with his wife Yvonne after training with his team on Monday and returned to the Netherlands immediately after the festivities concluded in order to play in a game against Fortuna Sittard on Friday. “It is great to be recognized as one of the best American players, especially since I have been playing for clubs in Holland my entire career,” said Stewart. An 11 year veteran of the U.S. national team, Stewart will receive a Honda Accord EX. Additionally, $5000.00 will be donated to the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) on Stewart’s behalf by the American Honda Motor Company. A record 251 American sports journalists participated in the voting and selected Stewart, who received 290 total points, as the winner. Claudio Reyna, who won the 2000 Honda Player of the Year award, finished second with 205 points. Jeff Agoos, a first-time finalist, finished third with 181 points. Created in 1991 by Futbol de Primera, the Honda Player of the Year award is given annually to the best player on the U.S. national team as chosen by the media. To become eligible for the award, a player must play in at least three international matches for the national team during the year. Past winners: The previous winners of the Honda Player of the Year award are: Claudio Reyna (2000), Kasey Keller (1999), Cobi Jones (1998), Eddie Pope (1997), Eric Wynalda (1996, 1992), Alexi Lalas (1995), Marcelo Balboa (1994), Thomas Dooley (1993) and Hugo Perez (1991).