Major League Soccer names MVP award after Landon Donovan
Major League Soccer announced on Thursday that it is naming its Most Valuable Player award after Landon Donovan.
Donovan retired after the L.A. Galaxy won the MLS Cup last month and is the league all-time leading scorer with with 144 goals and 136 assists. In 14 MLS seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes and Galaxy, Donovan's teams won six MLS Cups.
He was named the MLS MVP in 2009, had 14 consecutive All-Star selections, won two MLS Cup MVP and two All-Star Game MVP awards and was selected to seven MLS Best XI teams.
The league unveiled the design for the new trophy on Thursday, which will be crafted by Tiffany & Co.
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“As a child, soccer was merely an outlet for me -- a way to express myself,” Donovan said in a statement. “To have this prestigious award named after me is truly unimaginable. Thank you to Commissioner Garber, Major League Soccer and all of the people that have supported me along the way. I am extremely humbled by and proud of this honor.”
The 12-inch trophy will feature a Donovan silhouette with a sterling silver MLS Crest. The trophy also will have a wood base and a sterling silver collar.
This season's MVP award went to Donovan's teammate Robbie Keane.
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