[MLS] The Columbus Crew's Guillermo Barros Schelotto became the second Argentine in three years to receive Major League Soccer's top individual award when he was named the Volkswagen Most Valuable Player.
 
In his second MLS season, Schelotto, led the Crew to the Supporters' Shield trophy with a league-best 17-7-6 record and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.  He led MLS with 19 assists, tied for the second highest single season total in league history and scored seven goals. Only Carlos Valderrama's single season record of 26 assists in 2000 eclipses Schelotto's 2008 total.
 
Heading into MLS Cup, Schelotto has three assists in three playoff games and has contributed on all but two of the Crew's postseason goals.

The 35-year-old Schelotto received a majority of coach and general votes (53 percent) and the overwhelming support of the media (80 percent).

Christian Gomez was the first Argentine to be named MVP when he won the honor in 2006. Preki is the only player to win the award twice (1997 and 2003).

The Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan and the Chicago Fire's Cuauhtemoc Blanco were the other finalists.
 
MLS Most Valuable Players
2008: Guillermo Barros Schelotto - Columbus Crew
2007: Luciano Emilio - D.C. United
2006: Christian Gomez - D.C. United
2005: Taylor Twellman - New England Revolution
2004: Amado Guevara - MetroStars
2003: Preki - Kansas City Wizards
2002: Carlos Ruiz - Los Angeles Galaxy
2001: Alex Pineda Chacon - Miami Fusion
2000: Tony Meola - Kansas City Wizards
1999: Jason Kreis - Dallas Burn
1998: Marco Etcheverry - D.C. United
1997: Preki - Kansas City Wizards
1996: Carlos Valderrama - Tampa Bay Mutiny