Photo by John Todd/ISIPhotos.com
By IVES GALARCEP
Jermain Defoe’s MLS debutĀ grabbed the headlines in MLS Week Two, but it was actually the week of the defender in Major League Soccer as several centerbacks and fullbacks stepped up with memorable performances worthy of a place in the SBI MLS Best XI.
Victor Bernardez was at the forefront, scoring two goals to help the San Jose Earthquakes rally from two goals down to tie Real Salt Lake. FC Dallas centerback Matt Hedges was also outstanding defensively before stepping up with a late equalizer of his own.
Then you have Bakary Soumare, who rebounded from a poor showing in MLS Week One to anchor the Chicago Fire’s impressive draw on the road at Portland. Kofi Sarkodie rounded out the defensive selections for the SBI MLS Best XI by turning in an outstanding effort at right back in the Houston Dynamo’s 1-0 win against Montreal.
This week’s Best XI midfield features a trio of U.S. Men’s National Team options who should all get calls when Jurgen Klinsmann selects his team to face Mexico in two weeks.
Here is the SBI MLS Best XI For Week Two:
SBI MLS BEST XI (Week Two)
——————————-Jermain Defoe——————————-
Shea Salinas—————Michael Bradley————-Mauro Rosales
——————Kyle Beckerman——Maurice Edu——————–
Matt Hedges–Victor Bernardez—-Bakary Soumare–Kofi Sarkodie
——————————–Tally Hall———————————
HONORABLE MENTION
Luis Robles, Amobi Okugo, Aurelien Collin, Ray Gaddis, Steven Caldwell, Jonathan Osorio, Brad Davis, Osvaldo Alonso, Benny Feilhaber, Matias Laba, Clint Dempsey, Erick Torres, Kekuta Manneh, Sebastian LeToux, Quincy Amarikwa
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What do you think of this week’s selections?
Share your thoughts below.
Joao Plata deserves at least an honorable mention–he’s been lights out the past two games.
Agreed. He’s playing playing incredibly.
Even the MLS best XI has Three defensive midfielders. Just kidding
Beckerman for sure, Edu’s leaning farther away from it by the game, Bradley’s box to box for sure though. Mo’s been solid defensively for sure, but he plays the whole field for the Union, more than anybody else. Bradley was much the same against Toronto. Too high to be called a CDM anymore.
Four Union starters on the list! And you know you want to put MacMath on it also for that save…