Photo by ISIphotos.com
Landon Donovan won his sixth Honda Player of the Year award on Tuesday, also earning Honda Player of the Decade honors in the process.
The award, which goes to the top U.S. national team player, was voted on by 221 members of the American sports media. Donovan finished with 424 points in the voting, Tim Howard finished second with 267 points and Jozy Altidore finished third with 175 points.
The honor is the third straight for Donovan, who also won from 2002 to 2004.
Donovan enjoyed one of the strongest years of his national team career in 2009, playing a key role in the U.S. team's qualification for the World Cup and second-place finish in the Confederations Cup.
What's the SBI take? Donovan is a worthy winner, though our vote would have been for Tim Howard, who had a much better argument for the award in 2008. This year, Donovan's growing leadership qualities coupled with his involvement in so many U.S. national team goals made him the pick this year for the Honda Award and Donovan should be the favorite to take home the more prestigious U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year award.
What do you think of Donovan winning the award? Did he get your vote? Who would be your second choice for U.S. national team player of the decade? Who do you see winning the award in 2010?
Share your thoughts below.
