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Who is on your MLS Best XI?

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                                                         Photo by ISIphotos.com

With the MLS regular season finally over, it is time to start thinking about the winners of the league’s season ending awards. SBI will be naming its award winners as we get closer to the MLS Cup final, but we will be asking you, the readers, for your take on all of the awards.

Let us start off with MLS Best XI, which honors the players at every position who have had the best 2008 season (remember, it’s not who the best players are, but what players had the best season). While there are some easy choices to make for MLS Best XI, such as Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Landon Donovan, there are also plenty of difficult choices to make.

To submit your informal SBI ballot, simply type the list of 11 players consisting of a goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards like this:

Josh Wicks, Duilio Davino, Greg Vanney, Eduardo Dominguez, Laurent Robert, Alvaro Pires, Marcelo Gallardo, Juan Pietravallo, Jorge Rojas, Tomasz Frankowski and Jovan Kirovski

SBI will reveal its own MLS Best XI on Friday. For now, please submit your Best XI, along with your brief reasonings for your selections, in the comments section below.

Comments

  1. Busch

    Soumare,Marshall,Conrad

    Morales,Ralston,Barros Scholetto,Joseph,De Rosario

    Cooper, Donovan

    I have to reward the players who led their teams to the playoffs when it comes to gk,def,and mf. But for forwards I gotta go with the top 2 scorers, each of whom could have played their last game in MLS.

    Reply
  2. Jon Busch–best GAA in the league–enough said.

    Boukary Somare–can we get this guy citizenship soon so he can play for the U.S.

    Marvell Wynne-most improved right back in the league, if he can get his crosses better, he will destroy oppostion left sides.

    Michael Parkhurst–steadiness defined.

    Shalrie Joseph–best holding midfielder in the MLS–bar none.

    Guillermo Barros Schelotto–19 assists, please, is there anyone else you want operating as your playmaker.

    Landon Donovan–the Golden Boot has to have a place, right. Let him attack from the middle.

    Sacha Kljestan–one of teh best things going for Chivas, too bad they won’t have him next year.

    Darren Huckerby–the best Englishman playing in MLS. His impact on the Earthquakes was real and timely.

    Kenny Cooper–big man up top, scoring lots of goals, shame his team didn’t make the playoffs this year.

    Juan Pablo Angel–a mixed season at times, but he turned it on when it mattered.

    My Bench: Joe Cannon, Frankie Hejduk, DeRosario, Robbie Rodgers.

    Reply
  3. Cannon

    Gibbs Soumare Hejduk

    Beckham D-Ro Schelotto Joseph Blanco

    Donovan Angel

    Honorables:

    Klejstan

    Cooper

    Segares

    Rogers

    DVB

    Ralston

    Parkhurst

    Santino Q

    Reply
  4. Jon Busch; Jamison Olave, Chad Marshall, Gonzalo Segares; Brian Carroll, Shalrie Joseph, Darren Huckerby, Javier Morales, Guillermo Barros Schelotto; Landon Donovan, Juan Pablo Angel.

    Reply
  5. Busch

    Chad Marshall,Soumare,Conde,Segares

    Huckerby, Joseph, Morales, Schelotto

    Angel–Donovan

    (and pray Joseph sweeps everything at defensive mid)

    Reply
  6. busch, soumare, conrad, marvelous marvel wynne,if I must play 3 in the back. shalrie joseph, ricky (the most underrated) clark, derosario, van denbergh and blanco, juan pablo and landon. additinally rogers, ching and kljestan if I could field 14. next years best 11 will include MIKE MAGEE, heard it here first. coached by osorio and preki, the best in the league Left Beckham off but still over the salary cap!!!!

    Reply
  7. Josh Wicks, Duilio Davino, Greg Vanney, Eduardo Dominguez, Laurent Robert, Alvaro Pires, Marcelo Gallardo, Juan Pietravallo, Jorge Rojas, Tomasz Frankowski and Jovan Kirovski

    Flops or Underachievers top 11?

    Reply
  8. Joe Cannon, Chad Marshall, Bakary Soumare, Gonzalo Segares, Darren Huckerby, Dave Van Den Bergh, GBS, Sascha Klejstan, Shalrie Joseph, Landon Donovan, Kenny Cooper

    Reply
  9. Jon Busch

    Michael Parkhurst

    Jimmy Conrad

    Chad Marshall

    Shalrie Joseph

    Cuahtemoc Blanco

    Javier Morales

    Guillermo Schelotto

    Landon Donovan

    Juan Pablo Angel

    Kenny Cooper

    Reply
  10. Jon Busch; Jimmy Conrad, Bakary Soumare, Wade Barrett; Dave Van Den Bergh, David Beckham, Guillermo Barros Scholetto, Landon Donovan, Darren Huckerby; Kenny Cooper, Juan Pablo Angel.

    Reply
  11. hesmer

    wynne,Marshall,Boswell

    Schelotto, Morales, Huckerby, Joseph

    Cooper, Donavan, Jaime Moreno(only player with at least 10 and 10)

    Reply
  12. Busch

    Marshall, Conrad, Barrett, Segares

    Joseph, Morales, Blanco, Schlelotto

    Cooper, Donovan

    subs: Onstad, Soumare, Huckerby, Angel, Carroll

    Reply
  13. These guys did not play badly:

    Seitz

    Valentino, Elkinson, Koroma

    Kraus, Hatzke, Mayen, Tennelle

    Pierre-Louis, Josten

    All Dev-Roster-XI:

    R. Burse

    J. Leathers, B. Soumare, B. Burling, B. Wagner

    G. Cameron, N. LaBrocca, R. Espinoza, R. Rogers

    Y. Movsyssian, J. Braun

    Bench:

    P. Ianni, J. Harvey, K. Kimura, T. Beltran

    J. Flores, E. Avila, A. Wallace, D. Borman

    A. Ibrahim, P. Nyarko, S. Lenhart

    Reply
  14. Jon Busch

    Bakary Soumare

    Wilman Conde

    Gonzalo Segares

    Steve Ralston

    Cuauhtemoc Blanco

    Guillermo Baros Schelotto

    Javier Morales

    David Beckham

    Kenny Cooper

    Landon Donovan

    I know that picking 4 Fire players in the back may seem absurd but I truly feel that they each are the best player at their position in the league. MLSnet had some page that previewed the end of season awards and as of a few weeks ago Segares and Soumare were 1-2 on that list – and I think Conde has been better than both of them (I know it took him a little while to win the starting job but he has been fantastic ever since). And all 3 guys are great defenders and great going forward.

    I don’t think that my midfield and forward choices need explanation though.

    Reply
  15. I’ve only watched TFC games, so I dont’ feel qualified to say much, but I can tell you that Carl Robinson is TFC’s best player game in, game out. He’s a solid defensive midfielder. I don’t know if he’s good enough to make a best 11 or not, but he’s got quality.

    Reply
  16. Thanks for looking up Cooper’s pk’s, someone made the lame argument that his stats were bolstered by them. Not too bolstered.

    The KC/JPA debate brings up one of the harder aspects of voting – do you support the more skillful player (JPA) who had a long stretch of poor play, or the more consistent guy who still turned in a great year (KC)? It’s why the arguments are fun.

    Reply
  17. jon busch

    bakary soumare – chad marshall – jimmy conrad

    Guillermo Barros Schelotto – Darren Huckerby – Dave van den Bergh – Javier Morales – Cuauhtemoc Blanco

    Landon Donovan – Kenny Cooper

    Reply
  18. Mark: “Not sure why Angel is being picked over Cooper…the numbers support Cooper.”

    1. Probably it’s due to a gut feel that JPA’s goals we’re more impressive/skillful. That and his record of dominance from last year probably influences opinions too.

    2. The numbers can go either way. For JPA, he actually has more goal/min and goals/start than KC. Also, when you take away PK goals, KC has 14 and JPA 13 from the run of play, making JPA’s edge in scoring rate all the greater (22 starts v. 30 starts). On the hand, the pro-KC arguments are that playing more minutes is a good thing, and ultimately that scoring more goals matters. Also, at least KC made all his PKs (4-4), whereas Angel was 1-2.

    For me it could go either way.

    Reply
  19. Busch

    Hejduk-Soumare-Conrad

    Ralston-Joseph-J.Morales

    Blanco-Baros Schelotto

    Donovan-Cooper

    Notes:

    *Ralston narrowly beats out Beckham & Cooke.

    *Huckerby would’ve been a shoe-in, but I don’t count players who didn’t play at least half a season.

    *Not sure why Angel is being picked over Cooper…the numbers support Cooper.

    Reply
  20. 1st XI:

    Hesmer

    Marshall, Conrad, Conde

    Schelotto, Morales, Joseph, Blanco, Kljestan

    Angel, Donovan

    2nd XI:

    Cannon

    Olave, Soumare, Boswell

    Rolfe, Arnaud, Thorrington, Beckham, Ralston

    J. Moreno, Cooper

    3rd XI:

    Busch

    Hernandez, Borchers, Segares

    Beckerman, Jewsbury, Huckerby, Van den Berg, Rogers

    Ching, Casey

    Others receiving votes:

    Rimando

    Wynne, Brennan, Mendoza, Wingert, Parkhurst

    C. Clark, Carroll, Corrales, R. Clark, Quaranta, Guevara, DeRosario

    Emilio, Buddle, Twellman

    Reply
  21. Busch

    Conde, Conrad, Parkhurst

    Ralston (when healthy), Joseph, Beckham, Schelloto, and that jackass Blanco

    Lando and Ching.

    Screw the Western Division (I should have left them off).

    Reply
  22. Busch, C Marshall, Conrad, Parkhurst, Joseph, Schelotto, Morales, Blanco, Beckham, Donovan, Angel.

    Sub for each position pretty much a Houston player for each spot (Onstad, Barrett, Dero, Ching)

    Reply
  23. Hesmer

    Wynne,Conrad,Conde

    Donovan,Schelloto,Joseph,Morales,Rogers

    Cooper,JPAngel

    Hesmer really proved his worth this year and earned extra points w/ athletic saves

    Wynne demonstrated his shutdown d and utilized his speed to create scoring chances. His improvement has been immense since Copa America.

    Conrad beats out Marshall on goals scored and his leadership which led to the playoffs. Marshall was a close second.

    Conde showed great defensive instincts and is the best distributing MLS centerback.

    Donovan played both fwd/mid. He was included to make way for JPA. When Landy is feeling it, defenses struggle with his skills. Good luck in Europe.

    Joseph, the most underappreciated player in MLS, showed his astute box-to-box play, great passing, and leadership in the midfield. His superliga play was great.

    Morales has increased the level of play for RSL. His vision, passing, and offensive acumen has brought RSL for the first time. Teams around the league should take a page out of RSL’s scouting obtaining young South American players that can improve the league.

    Schelloto has been so money this whole season. His passing, set pieces, and intensity has allowed the Crew to the supporters shield. Great acquistition for his contract and production. MVP for 2008

    Rogers combined with GBS has been a terrifying experience for most MLS defenses. Robbie has had a break out year utilizing his speed and taking on defenders 1v1. He is a game changer and plays well with both feet. If Rogers stay healthy and the Crew add some more team speed, he could tally a 15+ goal season.

    Cooper has been the MVP of FC Dallas. His eighteen goals were a personal best. Although he did not receive the best service this season, his ability to create his own shot and take defenders on 1v1. It was enjoyable watching him this season and hope that he stays in MLS. Time will tell if they give him a better supporting cast ,but if he receives an attractive european offer, he is gone.

    JPA has definitely earned his DP money with precision fininshing and superior skill. It is amazing the types of goals that he scores with the number of shots on goal. Definitely the best DP player this year which makes up for CLaudio Reyna…….Sorry David,,,,,,,but your the most marketable.

    Honorable Mention

    Reis

    Marshall,Soumare,Segares

    Kljestan,Blanco,Clark,Becks,Huckerby

    Buddle,Casey

    Reply
  24. William Hesmer, Gonzalo Segares, Chad Marshall, Jimmy Conrad,

    Guillermo Barros Schelotto , Cuantehemoc Blanco, Javier Morales,

    Steve Ralston, Brian Carroll, Landon Donovan, & Kenny cooper

    Carroll may be the most surprising, but he had a better year than Joseph at CDM.

    He played every game, only committed as many fouls as he suffered,

    low yellow card count, and is the main reason GBS was able to do what he did.

    I included Blanco & Schelotto as midfielders, though they often play as withdrawn strikers.

    It was hard to not include any Houston or Chivas players given their success, but they

    seemed to be lacking individual superstar performances. Could argue Ching or Klejstan.

    Reply
  25. Hesmer

    Conrad, Marshall, Olave

    Joseph, GBS, Morales, Huckerby, Ralston

    Cooper, Donovan

    I think you could even remove Ralston and put Ching instead. I would rather have that kind of 3-4-3 instead of a 3-5-2.

    Reply
  26. William Hesmer, Gonzalo Segares, Chad Marshall, Jimmy Conrad,

    Guillermo Barros Schelotto , Cuantehemoc Blanco, Javier Morales,

    Steve Ralston, Brian Carroll, Landon Donovan, & Kenny cooper

    Carroll may be the most surprising, but he had a better year than Joseph at CDM.

    He played every game, only committed as many fouls as he suffered,

    low yellow card count, and is the main reason GBS was able to do what he did.

    I included Blanco & Schelotto as midfielders, though they often play as withdrawn strikers.

    It was hard to not include any Houston or Chivas players given their success, but they

    seemed to be lacking individual superstar performances. Could argue Ching or Klejstan.

    Reply
  27. Busch

    Marshall, Conrad, Boswell

    Carroll, GBS, Huckerby, Morales, Joseph

    Donovan, Cooper

    Any ballot including goldenballs should automatically be disqualified. There’s no way two Galaxians make this list and Donovan earned it not his royal brandness!

    Reply
  28. Beckham on so many lists? Why? Maybe the first half of the season, but after July – nada. He was already dreaming of ACM.

    first 11:

    Matt Reis

    Hey!Duck!! – Jamison Olave – Barrett

    Showering Joseph – Javi Morales – GBS – Robbie Roggers – Sasha Klejstian

    Donovan – Cooperboy

    Last 11:

    Wicks

    Cinchero – UnAbel X – Peralta

    Franchino – Robert Lorent – Giallardo – Grababoy – Chrisian Gomez

    Espindola (backflipboy) – Gallindo

    Reply
  29. Matt Reis, Jon Conrad, Frankie Hejduk, Wade Barrett, Shalarie Joseph, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Sacha Klejstan, David Beckham, Dewayne De Rosario, Landon Donovan, Juan Pablo Angel

    Reply
  30. Jesus look at all the Cooper fanbois… how many of his second half of the season goals were PKs that he didnt earn? Oh yeah, a lot.

    Onstad

    Soumare, Boswell ,Barrett

    Clark

    Donovan, GBS, Brad Davis

    DeRo

    Ching, Angel

    Reply
  31. Hesmer – edges out Busch b/c I’m a Crew homer

    Marshall – no, not him the center back; yeah, wears #14; really tall… well, the one in Columbus, not the one in Toronto

    B Soumare – Very good, very steady performer

    Jamison Olave – Totally under-rated do-it-all guy edges out Conrad and Hejduk

    Brian Carroll – Never takes a game, a play, or a minute off and blows up every opposition attack… rarely concedes the foul and almost never carded

    C Blanco – Engine that drives an impressive attack

    R Rogers – Told you I’m a Crew homer. But he really is that good

    Shalrie Joseph – Held together a team falling apart around him

    Huckerby – Listed as a MF, plays like a F, and did any mid-season acquisition have as much influence on a team as he did?

    Schelotto – Listed as a F, plays like a MF. Balances the selection of Huckerby. League MVP who’s deadly on dead balls and plays providers to everyone else

    Donovan – Hard to ignore his numbers, even compared to Cooper

    Subs: Busch, Cooper, Hejduk, DeRosario

    So yeah, 5 Crew players, but they were the best team in the league. If you want to trade Hesmer for Busch, I won’t argue. But you can’t really make too much of a case *against* Marshall or Schelotto, and in my mind, against Carroll, either.

    Reply
  32. Nick Rimando

    Hejduk, Conrad, Olave

    Blanco, Schelotto, Huckerby, Beckham, Joseph

    Donovan, Cooper

    (and a shout out to Chris Wingert on a fine, and underrated, year)

    Reply
  33. Ives, Kudos on the site. I am on at least once a day. Could you please comment on the “sample” list you posted. You don’t really mean you believe these are the best XI do you? Some people seem to think it a decent list, but obviously your tongue is planted firmly in cheek as none of these guys were even close to best XI. Please let us all know you haven’t lost your good sense. You don’t have to say who you would pick as you are keeping that close to the vest for now.

    Reply

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