The voting for the U.S. Honda Player of the Year Award has concluded, and the Newark Star-Ledger's Frank Giase says there should be little argument over Landon Donovan winning his fourth award in the last six years. The 25-year-old Donovan, who swept the honor for three straight years (2002-2004), has scored nine goals in 11 matches with three assists for the national team so far this year. He scored four goals and added two assists during the Americans' CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph -- "the only competition that really mattered" this year, says Giase. For the year, the U.S. No. 10 has 21 total points -- DaMarcus Beasley is next with three goals and three assists.
Even so, Giase says left back Jonathan Bornstein should finish second. He's played 10 games this year, scoring once and establishing himself as a strong contender for a regular starting place. He believes Fulham's Carlos Bocanegra should finish third, although any one of Clint Dempsey (also at Fulham), Michael Bradley (Heerenveen), Benny Feilhaber (Hamburg) and Tim Howard (Everton) all deserve honorable mention. In all there are three more friendlies scheduled this year -- all in Europe -- against Sweden, Catalonia and Switzerland. An exhibition against Mexico in Mexico City in September is being considered.
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