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MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes Forward Landon Donovan Wins 2002 Honda Player of The Year Award

October 8, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


San Jose (Tuesday, October 8, 2002) - San Jose Earthquakes and United States National Team forward Landon Donovan was named the 2002 Honda Player of the Year today in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Donovan is the youngest winner of the award ever, beating out national team teammates Brad Friedel and Claudio Reyna for the honor.

Donovan helped lead the United States to its best finish in World Cup history in 2002, scoring six goals and appearing in every World Cup match. Donovan finished the 2002 MLS season with seven goals and three assists for the Earthquakes a year after leading them to the 2001 MLS Cup. Donovan originally signed with German club Bayer Leverkusen in 1999 and later that year was the MVP of the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship in New Zealand.

A record total of 277 United States sports journalists selected the award finalists allowing Donovan to join previous winners 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) as Honda Players of the Year.

Created in 1991 by Fútbol de Primera and sponsored by American Honda Motor Company Inc., the Honda Player of the Year is awarded annually to the best player on the U.S. national soccer team as chosen by the U.S. sports media. In order to be eligible, a player must have played in a minimum of three international matches with the U.S. national team during the year. The winner receives a new Honda Accord EX V-6 Sedan.

Fútbol de Primera broadcast the 2002 FIFA World Cup on a Spanish-language radio record 100 stations. FDP's programs are also heard throughout Mexico and Central America and over the internet at SportsYA.com. Honda has supported soccer programs in America for more than a decade. Honda's current support includes 12 years as a sponsor of the Honda Player of the Year, 5 years as a sponsor of the Honda Symposium, and 7 years as the official Automotive Sponsor and Official Vehicle of Major League Soccer.

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