Donovan's MLS Resume Nearly Complete With MVP Nod

SEATTLE -- Surely Landon Donovan is now just 90 minutes away from tying up just about every loose end remaining in his Major League Soccer career. He is the player of the decade, but before Thursday never had been named player of the year. Perhaps a victim of his own consistency, Donovan raised the bar in 2009. He brought his fractured team together and captained the club to first place in the Western Conference, tallying 12 goals and six assists.

It is slightly ironic, however, that Donovan was not here in Seattle to accept the award. The Galaxy were not scheduled to arrive until later in the day, meaning the player who has been the real face of American soccer for the past nine years was unavailable to smile for the cameras. It is something the league may have to get used to. Rumors of a winter transfer have been circulating for months, and if Los Angeles completes its climb from the basement to the MLS Cup penthouse on Sunday, Donovan certainly has nothing left to prove.

Maligned for his failure to stick with Bayer Leverkusen during two failed stints in the Bundesliga and for his impotent performance at the 2006 World Cup, Donovan never has been able to secure the respect usually afforded a player of his stature. He is the U.S. national team's all-time leading scorer, has won three MLS titles and three CONCACAF Gold Cups and has notched 113 MLS goals.

Yet his talent and constitution have been consistently questioned or derided, and the meltdown inside the Home Depot Center locker room that occurred as a result of last year's rift with David Beckham (and Donovan's comments in The Beckham Experiment), certainly didn't boost his reputation.

All of that, plus his separation from his wife, could have derailed a player many have accused of being soft. But not this year. With the Galaxy captaincy returned to him and trusted mentor Bruce Arena at the helm, Donovan entered this season with a renewed focus.

"I am in control of what I do, and before I thought different things determined how I would play or how I would respond or how I would act on the field," he told FanHouse three months ago. "I'm in control of that now, so, and knowing that I'm in control of it means I know what my ability is. I know what I'm capable of and I bring it every time."

Said Arena: "He's grown on the field as a player. He's a more mature consistent player, but his role off the field with this team has been perhaps even better, remarkable. The things he did to help build this team to have the right kind of team chemistry, to be a leader ... Landon was consistently here every day and taking the responsibility of a captain. He's been doing a fantastic job."

Donovan led the Galaxy to a 5-3-9 record before Beckham returned from his loan with AC Milan, netting six goals. His renewed bonds with the Englishman were quickly apparent, no more so than when Beckham leaped into Donovan's arms after his goal-of-the-year strike against New England on Aug. 8. Thursday he deservedly beat out FC Dallas striker Jeff Cunningham and New Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph for the MVP trophy. Should Los Angeles claim its third MLS Cup title with a win over Real Salt Lake on Sunday, Donovan's redemption will be complete and his status as the league's best ever player unquestioned.

Which raises the obvious question: Where does one go once all challenges have been conquered? Donovan dipped his toe back into the European waters at Bayern Munich over the winter and, after his performance at the Confederations Cup, shouldn't have much trouble attracting some continental attention. Clubs in France, Italy and Spain have been rumored to be interested. It will cost some money, but after everything that Donovan has given MLS, with the commitment he has shown to the league and American soccer, it would be almost cruel to keep him here against his wishes. He definitely has done enough.

His departure would be a challenge. Beckham is headed back to Italy over the winter and Cuauhtemoc Blanco has decided to leave Chicago for the Mexican second division. Now word has surfaced of a rift between the Columbus Crew and Guillermo Barros Schelotto, whose has been the best designated player in the program's short history and whose departure would be a significant blow to the league's on-field product. If Donovan goes too, that would constitute quite the talent (and name recognition) drain.

But he has earned his chance, and with the MVP award, has proven that his leadership skills have matched the technical. His final exam is Sunday.