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The MLS Best XI Are Announced

By Aaron Rench

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Portland Timbers midfielder Will Johnson (4) and Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane (7) go after a ball during the first half of the game at Jeld-Wen Field. (Steve Dykes, USA TODAY Sports)

The MLS has released it Best XI awards. The awards are given based on votes gathered from players, club leadership, and select members of the media. Here are the MLS Best XI:

  • Goalkeeper
    • Donovan Ricketts, Portland Timbers, (Jamaica)
  • Defenders
    • Jose Goncalves, New England Revolution, (Portugal)
    • Omar Gonzalez, Los Angeles Galaxy, (USA)
    • Matt Besler, Sporting KC, (USA)
  • Midfielders
    • Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers, (Argentina)
    • Graham Zusi, Sporting KC, (USA)
    • Tim Cahill, New York Red Bulls, (Australia)
    • Will Johnson, Portland Timbers, (Canada)
  • Forwards
    • Mike Magee, Chicago Fire, (USA)
    • Marco DiVaio, Montreal Impact, (Italy)
    • Robbie Keane, Los Angeles Galaxy, (Ireland)

Six of those players are receiving the award for the very first time, while Ricketts, Besler, Zusi, and Keane welcome it a second time, and Gonzalez a third. Four players call USA home, but only Magee has not been capped by the U.S. national team.

Jose Goncalves completed his first year in the MLS this year, only to be rewarded by being added to the Best XI along with winning the Defender of the Year award.

The three forwards included in the Best XI are also the three potential candidates for MLS MVP. DiVaio led the league in scoring for much of the year, and is the first Montreal player to receive the award. Keane went on a mid-season tear by teaming with resurgent teammate Landon Donovan, who possessed a five-year streak of being named to the Best XI before today. Mike Magee spent the season with two teams, the Chicago Fire and the LA Galaxy, where he was able to score at will, making it the best season of his career.

Besler and Zusi, both from Kansas City, are the only players on the Best XI that will play in this Saturday’s MLS Cup Final. Not a single Real Salt Lake player made it on to the list, which is somewhat surprising as RSL’s goalie Nick Rimando had a great season. He is currently in the running for Goalkeeper of the Year, which will be announced later in the week.

One surprise was the omission of Vancouver Whitecaps’ forward Camilo Sanvezzo, who won the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals. This is the first time a Golden Boot winner has been left off the Best XI since 2003

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