D.C. United's Brazilian striker Luciano Emilio was named the 2007 MLS Honda Most Valuable Player. The 28-year-old was also MLS's scoring leader with 20 goals, helping D.C. United to the league's best regular-season record before falling to Chicago in the playoffs. Emilio arrived in MLS this season from CD Olimpia of Honduras.

Emilio got the voting nod ahead of finalists Juan Pablo Angel of New York and Chicago midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

 

"I am surprised because Blanco and Pablo Angel are very good international players," Emilio said. "I am so happy, so surprised."

Emilio was the first MLS player to reach the 20-goal mark in a season since 2002 when Carlos Ruiz scored 24 goals for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Taylor Twellman had 23 for New England.

The Brazilian said he plans to speak with club officials next week about the 2008 season.

"I think I'll stay here," Emilio said. "We have a good league. Physical, hard, getting better on technique. The league is a very important league."

D.C. United now has back-to-back league MVPs. Christian Gomez won the award in 2006.

MLS Honda Most Valuable Players
2007: Luciano Emilio (D.C. United)
2006: Christian Gomez (D.C. United)
2005: Taylor Twellman (New England)
2004: Amado Guevara (MetroStars)
2003: Preki (Kansas City)
2002: Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles)
2001: Alex Pineda Chacon (Miami )
2000: Tony Meola (Kansas City)
1999: Jason Kreis (Dallas)
1998: Marco Etcheverry (D.C. United)
1997: Preki (Kansas City)
1996: Carlos Valderrama (Tampa Bay)