LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan has been named the 2009 Volkswagen MLS MVP for the first time in his career. Widely considered as the best American player ever, Donovan added to his 2009 awards after being named to the MLS Best XI and the winner of the 2009 AT&T Goal of the Year.

Donovan received the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches and members of the media. FC Dallas forward Jeff Cunningham and New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph were the two other finalists for the award.
Donovan led his club with 12 goals and six assists in 25 games, despite missing a month of the season while at the FIFA Confederations Cup with the U.S. National Team. His inspired play this year helped lead the Galaxy to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

The prolific goal scorer was named to his ninth consecutive MLS All-Star Team this year. He scored his 96th career regular season goal, which ranks fifth all-time.  He is the all-time leading scorer in the MLS Cup Playoffs with 17 goals. He also has 75 assists in regular season MLS games. Five players in MLS history have registered more than 80 goals and more than 60 assists in their career. Among those five, Donovan has the highest per-game rate of contributing goals and assists.

On Sunday, Nov. 22 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Donovan is looking to win his fourth MLS Cup. He won two with the San Jose Earthquakes and one with the LA Galaxy.

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