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SBI MLS Best XI (March/April)

Steve Zakuani (BillBarrettISI)

Photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

The first month of the MLS season had its share of excitement, fast-rising stars and surprising developments. It also had its share of players who easily stood out from the rest.

Picking the SBI MLS Best XI for April (and March) was far from easy, but it wasn't difficult to start with the Los Angeles Galaxy, which has raced out to an incredible start to its season. That made putting four Galaxy players on the April Best XI an easy call.

The toughest position to pick may have been in goal, where Bouna Coundoul and Jimmy Nielsen both enjoyed some stellar performances and could have grabbed the Best XI spot for the first month of the season.

Youth is also served in this group, with two rookies on the squad.

So who made the SBI MLS Best XI for the first month (and a week) of the MLS season? Here are our selections:

SBI MLS BEST XI (MARCH/APRIL)

—————————Edson Buddle—————————–

—-Dwayne DeRosario——————–Landon Donovan——-

Steve Zakuani———-Joel Lindpere————-Patrick Nyarko

————————-Stephane Auvray—————————-

———Tim Ream—-Omar Gonzalez——Ike Opara————-

————————Donovan Ricketts—————————-

HONORABLE MENTION– Bouna Coundoul/Jimmy Nielsen, Wilman Conde, Mike Chabala, Mike Petke, Pablo Mastroeni, Ryan Smith, Marco Pappa, Jeff Larentowicz, Bobby Convey, Sebastien LeToux, Omar Cummings.

———

What did you think of these selections? Who didn't make the Best XI that should have? Who do you think should be dumped from the squad? Anybody you would like to see on honorable mention?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. My only complaint is what is Bobby Convey doing on this list? Aside from a beautiful winning cross to Opara in the Chicago game, he’s been largely a misery…okay, average. Maybe FOR HIM, that’s good, but for the league, not so much.

    Reply
  2. Ives,

    I agree with all of your picks except Petke. I have been to all of the Red Bulls games and it looks like Petke’s mistakes have not come to light because Ream has saved him several times. His passing is often off and with his lack of speed, he gets beat often. I would like to know why you picked him. I actually think Boyens would be an improvement over him due to his better ball control and passing.

    Reply
  3. We got some good players coming soon to the USA squad. This would be is my way to early look at the USA 2014 team.

    ———-Altidore(20)—Davies(23)——

    Donavan(28)—Bradley(22)–Edu(24)-Dempsey(27)

    Ream(22)–Gonzalez(21)–Opara(21)–Spector(24)-

    ———–Howard(age 31)———–

    I view Ream as a guy like Bocanegra who prefers to play in the middle and that h=is is=his best position, but the team overall would be better with him on the outside, due to the depth at Center Back. Ream keeps the ball and always looks to play to a teammate. With this line up the 2014 WC could see a great spike in USA performance. The USA will have replaced only three people form the desired line-up for 2010 and will have experience. Right now it looks as if all 11 of these guys will be playing in Europe if the progress of Ream, Gonzalez, and Opara continue like the are and that would give the USA a solid group with Altidore being the youngest player at 24 years. This could very well be our line-up if everything goes well. This would also boost the stock of the MLS as 9/11 have played in the MLS.

    Reply
  4. Yeah look out for WC 2014. Those three guys will certainly be on the roster and hopefully we see a line-up in the back like this:

    Ream-Gonzalez-Opara-Spector

    Reply
  5. Why is exactly is LD (Lands) in the first 11. For the first two months he has I think has one assist and has done nothing really but to divert attention. He is one of the top players in the league and I think that will be shown in the entire season but not after the first 5 games. He left his game in Liverpool I think so far. He is playing it conservative and it going to really strive for his game in the WC and hope for a transfer to a World Class club. With the money that is involved I can understand his conservative playing.

    Reply

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