LA Galaxy defender Gonzalez wins MLS Rookie of the Year

LA Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez has been announced as the 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year.

The 21-year old was brilliant in defence for the Galaxy as they grabbed top spot on the Western Conference table and qualified for the Conference final after being one of the worst teams in 2008.

Gonzalez was selected with the third overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft from the University of Maryland and was one of just 14 players to feature in all 30 league games in MLS this season.

Gonzalez has represented the United States at the Under-17 and Under-20 levels. In 2005, he played at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Peru.

He appeared in two games at the tournament as the U.S. team was eliminated in the Quarterfinals by the Netherlands. In 2007 he played for the U.S. Under-20’s at the Pan-American Games. Gonzalez and the Galaxy are in action on Friday when they host the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference Championship at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN2.