Yesterday’s official MLS Best XI was just the appetizer platter. Here’s the main course: The Daily Soccer Fix Best XI. Could being named to this lofty list be a potential high water mark for some of these fellows? Perhaps.
The officially unofficial MLS Best XI
But alas, as always, there’s no cash prize involved. Enjoy:
GOALKEEPER: How in the world a man can set a league record for best goals against average over a season and not win Goalkeeper of the Year, only MLS can explain. Kevin Hartman didn’t just break the record, he picked it up, looked it over, insulted its family and then proceeded to beat the holy crap out of it. His 0.62 goals against average – think about how close that is to conceding just one goal every two matches – easily beat the Pat Onstad’s former record, 0.82.
DEFENDERS: As much as I hate it, because it always looks like such a lame-o copout, I threw in the towel and did what everyone else is doing: picked my team in a 3-5-2. Fact is, the best defenders were center backs this year, while Best XI quality fullbacks were sparse. My top three are Jamison Olave, Drew Moor, and Omar Gonzalez. (I could identify a really good right back, Dallas’ Heath Pearce, but it would really be a stretch to put a left back on the team at the expense of one of the quality midfielders you’re about to see on the list.)
Midfielders, strikers and the second team, after the click-through …
MIDFIELDERS: Picking four would have been nearly impossible, and selecting five is still no piece of cake. But since I get paid to make the tough calls, here goes my list (right to left, roughly): Chris Wondolowski, Sebastien Le Toux, Joel Lindpere, David Ferrreira and Landon Donovan.
STRIKERS: I know Dewayne De Rosario moved around between forward and midfielder this year at BMO, but I think we could put him either place and be OK. OK? And in all candor, I don’t feel great about putting “De Ro” on the first-team after that check-writing stunt, but I suppose I need to start getting past it. Edson Buddle, the Galaxy’s 17-goal scorer, is the other winner.
SECOND TEAM (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: Nick RImando
Defenders: Heath Pearce, Nat Borchers, Chad Marshall, Tim Ream
Midfielders: Jeff Larentowicz, Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales
Forwards: Omar Cummings, Conor Casey, Fredy Montero
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