Donovan is MVP award finalist in MLS

Nov 2, 2009 - 11:12 PM NEW YORK(AP) -- Landon Donovan is a finalist for Major League Soccer's MVP award and Kasey Keller is up for three postseason honors.

Donovan, the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder, FC Dallas' Jeff Cunningham and New England's Shalrie Joseph were the top three in voting by league players, general managers, coaches, referees and media.

Keller is up against the Galaxy's Donovan Ricketts and Chivas USA's Zach Thornton for top goalkeeper honors.

Keller, the most capped goalkeeper in United States national team history, and his Sounders were all over the list of finalists announced Monday by MLS. Keller is also up for the best newcomer and fair play awards, while coach Sigi Schmid and defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado are also award candidates.

The Sounders are definitely going to win at least one award: Freddie Ljungberg and Fredy Montero are the other top newcomer finalists.

Houston's Pat Onstad and the Revolution's Steve Ralston are Keller's competition for the fair play award.

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena and the Crew's Robert Warzycha are up against Schmid, while Hurtado's competition is Houston's Geoff Cameron and Columbus' Chad Marshall.

The Chicago Fire's Brian McBride, a former United States striker, is a finalist for comeback player of the year, along with Thornton and D.C. United's Ben Olsen.

Toronto FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei, Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez and midfielder/forward Chris Pontius of D.C. United are up for rookie of the year.