D.C. United's Emilio named MLS MVP

D.C. United forward Luciano Emilio was voted MVP of Major League Soccer on Thursday after a season in which he became the league's first 20-goal scorer in five years.

"This is the best moment in my career," Emilio said.

The 28-year-old Brazilian finished ahead of Juan Pablo Angel of the New York Red Bulls and Cuauhtemoc Blanco of the Chicago Fire in voting by coaches, general managers, players and media.

All three finalists were foreign players new to the league, but Emilio was the only one not signed under the new designated player rule - known as the "Beckham rule" after English superstar David Beckham - that allows teams to ignore the salary cap to pursue up to two high-profile players.

Emilio became the first player to win the goal-scoring title without the benefit of a penalty kick. He is the second consecutive D.C. United player to win the award, following midfielder Christian Gomez last year.

Blanco, a Mexican midfielder, didn't join the Fire until July because of national-team obligations.

The Fire was 4-8-4 when he arrived, but he led the team to a 6-2-6 finish that snared the final playoff berth on the last day of the regular season.