Donovan tops U.S. soccer ballot

LOS ANGELES (AP) Landon Donovan was named the best player on the U.S. team for a record-breaking sixth time on Tuesday.

Donovan, 27, was instrumental in the Americans' successful qualifying campaign for the World Cup and its trek to the Confederations Cup final.

"I think this year was, aside from 2002 (when the U.S. reached the World Cup quarterfinals), as long as I've been part of the national team, the best year the national team's had," said Donovan, who won the Honda Award for the third successive year after winning three in a row in 2002-04.

Donovan received 424 points in balloting by 221 media members, finishing ahead of two England-based teammates, goalkeeper Tim Howard (267 points), who plays for Everton, and 19-year-old forward Jozy Altidore (178), who is with Hull City on loan from Villarreal.