Major League Soccer Names Most Valuable Player Award After Landon Donovan

Published on January 15, 2015 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release

NEW YORK (Thursday, January, 15, 2015) - Major League Soccer announced today it has named its Most Valuable Player award after American soccer legend Landon Donovan, who retired in December after playing 14 seasons in the League. Since 1996, the MLS MVP award has been presented annually to the individual deemed most valuable to his club by players, management and the media.

Designs for the Landon Donovan MVP Award, crafted by Tiffany & Co., were unveiled this morning by MLS Commissioner Don Garber at a special tribute prior to the 2015 MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia, PA.

"As a child, soccer was merely an outlet for me -- a way to express myself," said Donovan. "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 Landon Donovan MVP Award features a silhouette of Donovan applied to a sterling silver MLS Crest, which is attached to a black, ebonized wood base with a sterling silver collar. The trophy's silver portion is recessed with a matte finish and the vermeil portion is recessed with a high polish. It stands 12 inches tall, and winners of the award will have their name and their club hand-engraved on the collar.

"Landon Donovan's commitment to growing the game in North America is unrivaled and his contributions to Major League Soccer are immeasurable," said Garber. "When he joined MLS in 2001, he showed other American players that this was his "˜League of Choice.' His legacy will be forever etched in our league's history, and we appreciate everything he has accomplished, both on and off the field."

Donovan, who played for the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy, retired as Major League Soccer's all-time leader in goals (144) and assists (136). He is the winner of six MLS Cups (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014), a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (2005), and two MLS Supporters' Shields (2010, 2011). His accolades include 14 consecutive All-Star selections (2001-2014), two MLS Cup MVP awards (2003, 2011), seven MLS Best XI nods (2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014), a pair of MLS All-Star Game MVP awards (2001, 2014), and an MLS MVP (2008). Additionally, Donovan leads the U.S. Men's National Team in goals (57) and assists (58), and his 156 appearances are the second-most all time in U.S. history.

Major League Soccer Stories from January 15, 2015

• Crew SC Selects Two Players in Opening Rounds of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Columbus Crew SC
• Sounders FC Selects Cristian Roldan in First Round of 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Seattle Sounders FC
• Colorado Rapids Acquire Two, Big Central Defenders in MLS SuperDraft - Colorado Rapids
• Timbers Select Four Players in 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Portland Timbers
• MLS Announces 2014 Club and Executive Award Winners - MLS
• Whitecaps FC Select Tim Parker and Kay Banjo in 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Houston Dynamo Select Zach Steinberger, Oumar Ballo, Rob Lovejoy in 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Houston Dynamo FC
• Sporting KC Selects Four in MLS SuperDraft - Sporting Kansas City
• Philadelphia Union Make Two Selections at 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Philadelphia Union
• Real Salt Lake Selects Boyd Okwuonu in 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Real Salt Lake
• Toronto FC Selects Bono, Simonin and Thomas in 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Toronto FC
• New York Red Bulls Select Leo Stolz, Stefano Bonomo in MLS SuperDraft - New York Red Bulls
• Two-Time MLS Cup Winner Marcelo Sarvas Joins Colorado Rapids - Colorado Rapids
• D.C. United Makes Two Selections at 2015 MLS SuperDraft - D.C. United
• Orlando City Further Strengthens Roster in Successful MLS SuperDraft - Orlando City SC
• Orlando City SC Selects Cyle Larin with First Overall Pick in 2015 MLS SuperDraft - MLS
• Chicago Fire Select Two Players in 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Chicago Fire FC
• LA Galaxy Acquire Third Allocation Ranking from Colorado Rapids - LA Galaxy
• Impact Selects Forward Romario Williams in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft - Club de Foot Montreal
• Earthquakes Select Michigan State Midfielder Fatai Alashe in the First Round of the MLS SuperDraft - San Jose Earthquakes
• LA Galaxy Select Ignacio Maganto in First Round of 2015 MLS SuperDraft - LA Galaxy
• Orlando City Picks Canadian National Team Member Cyle Larin First Overall in MLS SuperDraft - Orlando City SC
• The Last Pick: A look back on the LA Galaxy's SuperDraft record after winning an MLS Cup - LA Galaxy
• Major League Soccer Names Most Valuable Player Award After Landon Donovan - MLS
• Major League Soccer Names Most Valuable Player Award after Landon Donovan - LA Galaxy
• Toronto FC Sign Jay Chapman - Toronto FC

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.