Photo by ISIPhotos.com
With all the retirements of long-time MLS standouts in 2010 there has been some concern over who would take their places. If the members of SBI's MLS Under-23 Best XI show anything, it is that the league has plenty of young talent ready to take over.
Omar Gonzalez may be the only player 23 or younger to make the actual MLS Best XI, but there were plenty of young players who had good enough seasons to merit consideration. From Fredy Montero and Steve Zakuani in Seattle to George John at FC Dallas and Tim Ream in New York.
With that in mind, here are my selections for the best players 23 and under in MLS in 2010:
SBI MLS Under-23 Best XI
1st TEAM
GK- Sean Johnson, Chicago Fire
D- Omar Gonzalez, Los Angeles Galaxy
D- Tim Ream, New York Red Bulls
D- George John, FC Dallas
M- Steve Zakuani, Seattle Sounders
M- Will Johnson, Real Salt Lake
M- Juninho, Los Angeles Galaxy
M- Brek Shea, FC Dallas
M- Marco Pappa, Chicago Fire
F- Fredy Montero, Seattle Sounders
F- Justin Braun, Chivas USA
2nd TEAM
GK- Bill Hamid, D.C. United
D- Nana Attakora, Toronto FC
D- Zack Loyd, FC Dallas
D- Kevin Alston, New England
M- Andy Najar, D.C. United
M- Eric Alexander, FC Dallas
M- Michael Stephens, Los Angeles Galaxy
M- Emmanuel Ekpo, Columbus Crew
M- Dax McCarty, FC Dallas
F- Danny Mwanga, Philadelphia Union
F- Teal Bunbury, Kansas City Wizards
—————-
(Yes, I dropped Andy Najar off the first team and forgot to put him back on the second team (hence the picture in the original post). He was in line for a first-team spot but lost out to the five midfielders listed. He's back on the list as a second-team selection).
What do you think of the squad? Is anybody missing who should be on the first or second team?
Share your thoughts below.
Props to Ives for putting Will Johnson on the first team. He is one of the more underrated players in the league imo.
SBI- I hate criticism.
I’m glad to see someone agrees with me.
Agreed about the formation. Often young defensive talent has better room for growth compared to attackers (who might get squeezed for minimal playing time by veterans and DPs more easily). It gives the slight to a guy like Alston, who started in the MLS all-star game (performance in that game aside) and has hige potential especially within the USMNT program.
LA Galaxy fan here and I don’t think Juninho was better
Because the midfielders in front of him only junihno i think was a rookie.
Ummm, Ives. Dax no longer plays for FCD.
(SBI-Umm, he played there for the entire 2010 season, which is what the honor is for.)
I often have a problem with these lists as the formation chosen is rarely one that anyone in MLS actually uses. It’s not just here, though, it’s everywhere. The first team has 3 defenders, and 5 midfielders with I guess just Juninho being a defensive midfielder. The attacking positions are always disproportionately represented. Nice job Ives though. Just my 2 cents.
who?
this will buy him another 2 years of national team suckage
Blair Gavin, although he was injured towards the end of the season, had a solid year. One of the few bright spots other than Braun this year.
I really don’t understand how the Rookie of they Year is on the 2nd team. But hey it’s not my blog. And I’m not a DCU homer either
(SBI-There were five midfielders who simply had better years, and NONE of them were rookies, so it shouldn’t really be hard to understand. Obviously you can disagree, but to say you don’t understand it is far different than saying you disagree.)
SSFC is gonna announce Montero as DP tomorrow
Ives, Mwanga misses out on 1st team accolades for Justin Braun? Emmmm, okay?
(SBI-Not really a question at all. Braun had a better year, period.)
I wish these lists would use 4 defenders. they always get the shaft.
I always forget that the Canadian Dirk Kuyt is still a youngster.
Is Stephen Frei older then 23?
fair enough…i kinda figured as much….just keepin’ ike’s name out there…looking forward to hearing some reports on his play over in spain this week
Zach Loyd was the reason Wallace doesnt have a job with FCD anymore.
For sure Wallace got the last laugh, but Loyd is the better player from what I’ve seen.
Wallace seems like a great guy and im happy for his success; the trade worked out for everybody it seems
Zack Loyd over Anthony Wallace? Starting in MLS Cup for the league champs doesn’t get you what it once did, apparently.
And no Tim Ward? (DOB 2/28/87) He’s started over 40 games the past two years for a pair of playoff teams. I’d take him over Nana Attakora.
(SBI-Wallace played seven games during the regular season and I’d hardly say he had a good playoffs. He was the weak link on Colorado’s back-line. The kid’s still got some promise but Zach Loyd and Attakora simply did more this season. Maybe that changes in 2011 when Wallace has a regular job and more confidence, but for 2010 I’ll stick with Loyd and Attakora. Darrius Barnes has a better argument against Attakora than Wallace does.)
I’d argue that Mwanga deserves to be on the first team. Just personal opinion, though.
Good list…. props to the creator.
I am curious about the potential SBI potential list now
(I doff my cap to you sir.) 😉
Who said this was a Red Bulls blog anyway?
Ha, he’s played that position before and done pretty well… particularly under Curbs I believe when he first got to WHU. Crazy what can happen when you play a guy in a “natural” position. Does Avram Grant believe in Miracles?!?!? ha
I would take the seecond team over the first team straight up
(SBI-As much as you might I really don’t see how anybody could argue that the second team had a better season than the first, and THAT is what the Best XI was about. Actual performance, not potential and ability. That could be a different Best XI. Maybe I’ll knock that one out next.)
Good to see George John and other FC Dallas guys getting some love., and Eric Alexander is such an underrated player. Hopefully he can step in and fill Dax’s roll as well as he did this year. Can’t wait to see who Dallas picks up in the offseason. Great season Hoops.
LOL Najar is the best U-23 in MLS why the hate because he bested Ream in ROY
Brek Shea better than Najar? Wow, people need to show some love. I can’t for the life of me understand it.
I would take Tchani over any of the 2nd team MFs, with the exception of Najar.
So, when does the Olympic qualification begin? Yes, I know it’s a bit early to start projecting.
Is Scott Parker in the game wearing Spector’s jersey?
Aren’t those his first professional goals.
Miracles do happen.
good timing on Ives article link this morning. This can’t hurt the stock at all. Note that he’s playing Midfield-D.
Spector 2 goals against Man Utd… are you freaking kidding me. He is EN FUEGO.
Spector is Bum trashing United right now LOL
good timing on Ives article link this morning. This can’t hurt the stock at all. Note that he’s playing Midfield-D.
I guess that’s why you aren’t the one making this list
Jonathan Spector has 2 goals in the first half vs Man United right now!!! 🙂
I’d take Najar over Pappa any day.
i know he missed a significant portion of the season, but ike opara showed plenty in the games he played, as his solid defense and 3 goals scored can attest
(SBI-This team is based on what the players did, not their talent or potential. If we were doing a Best XI based on potential and ability, Opara would be on the list, believe me, but playing just 11 games wasn’t enough to beat out the guys listed, who all played twice as many matches. Bill Hamid is only on the second team because there were no other Under-23 goalkeepers who played much.)
More and more impressed with MLS. These are quality young players that the league is attracting and keeping.