Eddie Pope Named 1997 Honda Player of the Year

D.C. United defender and national team star Eddie Pope has been named the winner of the 1997 Honda Player of the Year award. Pope edged Claudio Reyna and Kasey Keller to win the honor He receives a 1998 Honda Accord, as well as the trophy, which will later be on permanent display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y. Honda also donated $5,000 to the AYSO of Los Angeles in Pope’s name. The Honda Award is organized by the syndicated radio program Futbol de Primera “in an effort to recognize the best U.S. professional player to defend the colors of the United States in the last calendar year.” Previous winners include Eric Wynalda (1992, 1996), Alexi Lalas (1995), Marcelo Balboa (1994), Thomas Dooley (1993) and Hugo Perez (1991).