New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan has been named the 2009 Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player.

It is the first MVP award for the 27-year-old U.S. International, who scored 12 goals and six assists in 25 games this season.

"He's grown on the field as a player. He's a more mature consistent player, but his role off the field with this team has been perhaps even better, remarkable," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said recently. "The things he did to help build this team to have the right kind of team chemistry, to be a leader ... Landon was consistently here every day and taking the responsibility of a captain. He's been doing a fantastic job."

Donovan was named to his ninth consecutive MLS All-Star Team this year. He has 96 career regular season goals, which ranks fifth all-time and sets him just four goals away from becoming the youngest MLS player to score 100 career goals. He is also the all-time leading scorer in the MLS Cup Playoffs with 17 goals.

MLS Most Valuable Players:

2009: Landon Donovan - LA Galaxy

2008: Guillermo Barros Schelotto - Columbus Crew

2007: Luciano Emilio - D.C. United

2006: Christian Gomez - D.C. United

2005: Taylor Twellman - New England Revolution

2004: Amado Guevara - MetroStars

2003: Preki - Kansas City Wizards

2002: Carlos Ruiz - Los Angeles Galaxy

2001: Alex Pineda Chacon - Miami Fusion

2000: Tony Meola - Kansas City Wizards

1999: Jason Kreis - Dallas Burn

1998: Marco Etcheverry - D.C. United

1997: Preki - Kansas City Wizards

1996: Carlos Valderrama - Tampa Bay Mutiny