MLS announced its Best XI for the 2014 season and it is headlined by many of the league's stars. From Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan to Robbie Keane and Obafemi Martins, the team is chock full of big names and they represent many of the league's best teams.
Henry, Donovan and Keane lead MLS Best XI
The stars led the way for MLS in 2014.
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Goalkeeper: Bill Hamid (D.C. United)
Defenders: Bobby Boswell (D.C. United), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders)
Midfielders: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers)
Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders), Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls)
Keane, Martins and Nguyen are finalists for the MVP, so their inclusion is no surprise. Henry and Donovan also had tremendous years so they were expected to make the team, as was Wright-Phillips, who tied the league record for goals in a season.
Marshall was voted MLS Defender of the year, so his making the Best XI seemed like a sure bet, while Boswell and Gonzalez were second and third in the voting so the back line all makes sense.
The most contentious spots were in goal and the final midfield spot. Hamid got the goalkeeper nod thanks to the best year of his career, although some felt that Nick Rimando and Bobby Shuttleworth were more deserving. Valeri had an incredible season, but was on a bad Timbers team and some thought that may hamper his candidacy. Instead he was rewarded for his splendid play despite his team's struggles.
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