MVP of MLS: D.C. United attacker Dwayne De Rosario

MVP of MLS: D.C. United attacker Dwayne De Rosario
John Nestor

Washington, DC

Striker Dwayne De Rosario claimed the 2011 MLS MVP award after pulling off a remarkable season with D.C. United, the league announced Friday.

The 33-year-old De Rosario nabbed the MLS's most prestigious individual award after receiving 72.72 percent of votes from players and the media.

De Rosario, also a finalist for the MVP award in 2005 and 2006, bested Houston Dynamo's Brad Davis and FC Dallas Brek Shea for the title.

After starting the season with Toronto F.C, De Rosario was then traded to the New York Red Bulls where he reportedly had a hard time playing along Thierry Henry.

His struggles with the Red Bulls forced him to be shifted for the second time in the season to D.C. United, where he broke loose with 13 goals and seven assists in 18 matches with the team.

De Rosario amassed 16 goals and 12 assists, earning him the Budweiser Golden Boot plum and a spot in the MLS Best XI for the sixth time in his career.