Landon Donovan became the first back-to-back winner of the Honda Player of the Year Award, given annually to the best player on the U.S. national team as chosen by the media.
Donovan, who last year became the youngest Honda Player of the Year award winner ever, joins 1992 and 1996 Honda Player of the Year Eric Wynalda as the only players who have ever won the award more than once.
Donovan received the keys to another new Honda Accord EX V-6 Sedan at the ceremony at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. American Honda Motor Company, Inc. will again donate $5,000 dollars to the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) on Donovan's behalf.
Donovan, who has led the San Jose Earthquakes to the top spot in MLS's Western Conference, received a total of 396 points (3-2-1 point system) by the 206 journalists who participated in the voting.
This year Donovan led the U.S. national team in scoring with seven goals. In a Gold Cup match against Cuba, he became only the fourth U.S. player ever to score four goals in one game and finished in a tie as the Gold Cup's leading scorer. At the age of 21, he is already tied for sixth place on the U.S. national team's all-time scoring list with 14 career goals.
Veteran forward Brian McBride, a first-time finalist for the award, finished second with a total of 194 points. Chicago Fire defender Carlos Bocanegra, also a first-time finalist, received a total of 130 points and finished third.
The previous winners of the Honda Player of the Year are: Landon Donovan (2002), Earnie Stewart (2001), 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). In 2000, Eric Wynalda was named the Honda Player of the Decade.