NEW YORK - Major League Soccer announced Friday that D.C. United midfielder Dwayne De Rosario was voted the Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player, the first time he has won the award in his illustrious career.

De Rosario, 33, was previously a finalist for the award in 2005 and 2006, but capturing the Budweiser Golden Boot in 2011 helped him secure the MVP honour this time around. He was also named to the MLS Best XI for the sixth time in his career, a league record.

The Canada international will receive the award and be presented to media in Carson, Calif., leading up to the MLS Cup at The Home Depot Center.

De Rosario became the first player in MLS history to score for three different teams in the same year.

After three games with Toronto FC to begin the season, the Canadian was traded to Red Bull New York where he managed just two goals in 13 games. But it was his move to D.C. in late June that ignited his form as De Rosario caught fire, scoring 13 goals in 17 games.

With all three teams in 2011, De Rosario finished with 16 goals and 12 assists, the only player in MLS to reach double-digits in both categories.

It is the first time that the award has gone to a player whose team did not make the playoffs. De Rosario's D.C. United team finished seventh in the Eastern Conference with 39 points on the season.