[U.S. SOCCER AWARDS] U.S. Soccer named Landon Donovan its 2009 Male Athlete of the Year, the third time he has won the award, tying Kasey Keller for the record.

Donovan previously won back-to-back awards in 2003 and 2004. Keller, who won the award in 1997, 1999 and 2005.

The 27-year old Donovan scored three goals and provided nine assists during the final round of World Cup qualifying. He was involved in 12 of the USA's 19 Hexagonal goals as the team advanced to its sixth consecutive World Cup finals.

Online votes registered at ussoccer.com counted for 50 percent of the total votes, while the other 50 percent was represented by votes compiled from members of the national media and U.S. Soccer representatives, including national team coaches and the members of the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors.