NEW YORK -- Los Angeles Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez has won Major League Soccer's Rookie of the Year award.
The 21-year-old Gonzalez played in all 30 regular-season games as Los Angeles cut its goals allowed from a league-high 62 in 2008 to 31. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound back from Dallas had a goal and an assist.
Gonzalez was the third overall pick in the 2009 draft out of Maryland. He played the second-most minutes among rookies, trailing only New England's Darrius Barnes.
Gonzalez and the Galaxy host the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference championship on Friday night.
The MLS announced the award on Thursday.
Gonzalez's teammate and fellow defender Sean Franklin received the honor in 2008.
Greg Bromberg 
