SEATTLE — The best soccer player in America is now the best in Major League Soccer.

Los Angeles forward Landon Donovan has been named the 2009 MLS most valuable player after helping lead the Galaxy to the MLS Cup finals for the first time since 2005.
Despite all the accolades he’s garnered for being the best player in the U.S., this is the first time Donovan has won the top award in MLS.
Donovan scored 12 goals and had six assists during the regular season, helping the Galaxy rally for the best record in the Western Conference.
During the playoffs, Donovan scored twice in the Galaxy’s first-round series win over rival Chivas USA, and had a penalty kick goal in overtime against Houston in their 2-0 conference final victory last week.