<a href="http://www.dailysoccer.com/article.php?Article=54669" target="_blank">Daily Soccer</a>
Earnie Stewart, who led the United States with five goals during their successful 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign, was named the 2001 Honda Player of the Year on Wednesday.
In its 11th year, the award is open to American players who have participated in at least three international matches.
Stewart, 32, captured the award for the first time. He outpolled US captain and midfielder Claudio Reyna -- the 2000 recipient -- and defender Jeff Agoos in a vote of 251 American sports journalists.
Stewart became the career goal-scoring leader in World Cup qualifiers for the US with 11.
The 11-year national team veteran scored three times in two matches against Honduras. He also found the net at Columbus Crew Stadium in a triumph over Mexico and at Foxboro Stadium in a win over Trinidad and Tobago.
"It is great to be recognized as one of the best American players, especially since I have been playing for clubs in Holland my entire career," said Stewart, who was born in Vegel, Netherlands, to an American father and a Dutch mother.
A fixture in the US starting lineup, Stewart has 15 goals in 73 appearances for the US national team. He also competed in the last two World Cups.
"The Honda Player of the Year award is the most prestigious honor an American player can receive," Stewart continued. "To win it in a World Cup qualifying year really means a lot to me."
Perhaps his most famous effort came on June 22, 1994, when the United States hosted the world's biggest single-sport event. Stewart scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Colombia to help the Americans advance past a World Cup opening round for the first time since 1950.
Stewart became the 10th different winner of the award. Forward Eric Wynalda, the US all-time leading goal scorer, is the lone two-time recipient, winning in 1992 and 1996.
Possessing speed along with a knack for scoring, Stewart has netted 42 goals for NAC Breda in five-plus seasons with the Dutch club. He joined NAC in 1996 from Willem II Tilburg, where he scored 49 goals in 170 career games.
Along with the trophy, Stewart was given a Honda Accord EX in the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Additionally, 5,000 dollars was donated on his behalf to the American Youth Soccer Organization.
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Earnie Stewart, who led the United States with five goals during their successful 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign, was named the 2001 Honda Player of the Year on Wednesday.
In its 11th year, the award is open to American players who have participated in at least three international matches.
Stewart, 32, captured the award for the first time. He outpolled US captain and midfielder Claudio Reyna -- the 2000 recipient -- and defender Jeff Agoos in a vote of 251 American sports journalists.
Stewart became the career goal-scoring leader in World Cup qualifiers for the US with 11.
The 11-year national team veteran scored three times in two matches against Honduras. He also found the net at Columbus Crew Stadium in a triumph over Mexico and at Foxboro Stadium in a win over Trinidad and Tobago.
"It is great to be recognized as one of the best American players, especially since I have been playing for clubs in Holland my entire career," said Stewart, who was born in Vegel, Netherlands, to an American father and a Dutch mother.
A fixture in the US starting lineup, Stewart has 15 goals in 73 appearances for the US national team. He also competed in the last two World Cups.
"The Honda Player of the Year award is the most prestigious honor an American player can receive," Stewart continued. "To win it in a World Cup qualifying year really means a lot to me."
Perhaps his most famous effort came on June 22, 1994, when the United States hosted the world's biggest single-sport event. Stewart scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Colombia to help the Americans advance past a World Cup opening round for the first time since 1950.
Stewart became the 10th different winner of the award. Forward Eric Wynalda, the US all-time leading goal scorer, is the lone two-time recipient, winning in 1992 and 1996.
Possessing speed along with a knack for scoring, Stewart has netted 42 goals for NAC Breda in five-plus seasons with the Dutch club. He joined NAC in 1996 from Willem II Tilburg, where he scored 49 goals in 170 career games.
Along with the trophy, Stewart was given a Honda Accord EX in the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Additionally, 5,000 dollars was donated on his behalf to the American Youth Soccer Organization.
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