Selecting the eleven best players in Major League Soccer this season was arguably tougher than in any season before it. Along with the fact that the league has more teams than ever, teams have done much better at bringing in true impact players.
We're not just talking about Designated Players, but players who can come to MLS as relative unknowns and flourish. Players like David Ferreira, Sebastien LeToux and Jamison Olave.
As a matter of fact, the true measure of the improved quality of MLS talent can be found not just in the SBI MLST Best XI first team, but in the second and third teams, where the talent is just as strong.
MLS will unveil its selections for MLS Best XI on Tuesday. SBI will unveil its selections, as voted on by me, Avi Creditor, Adam Serrano, Travis Clark, Michael Nastri and Jose Romero, today.
Here is SBI's MLS Best XI:
SBI MLS BEST XI
GK- Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake
D- Jamison Olave, Real Salt Lake
D- Omar Gonzalez, Los Angeles Galaxy
D- Heath Pearce, FC Dallas
M- David Ferreira, FC Dallas
M- Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy
M- Sebastien LeToux, Philadelphia Union
M- Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake
M- Dwayne DeRosario, Toronto FC
F- Chris Wondolowski, San Jose Earthquakes
F- Edson Buddle, Los Angeles Galaxy
2nd TEAM
GK- Kevin Hartman, FC Dallas
D- Chad Marshall, Columbus Crew
D- Nat Borchers, Real Salt Lake
D- Tim Ream, New York Red Bulls
M- Steve Zakuani, Seattle Sounders
M- Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus Crew
M- Joel Lindpere, New York Red Bulls
M- Bobby Convey, San Jose Earthquakes
M- Pablo Mastroeni, Colorado Rapids
F- Freddy Montero, Seattle Sounders
F- Omar Cummings, Colorado Rapids
3rd TEAM
GK- Donovan Ricketts, Los Angeles Galaxy
D- Drew Moor, Colorado Rapids
D-Jeff Parke, Seattle Sounders
D- Brandon McDonald, San Jose Earthquakes
M- Daniel Hernandez, FC Dallas
M- Brad Davis, Houston Dynamo
M- Jeff Larentowicz, Colorado Rapids
M- Osvaldo Alonso, Seattle Sounders
M- Kyle Beckerman, Real Salt Lake
F- Alvaro Saborio, Real Salt Lake
F- Juan Pablo Angel, New York Red Bulls
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What did you think of the selections? Who didn't make the first team that you felt deserved a place? Who is missing from our teams that you feel deserved a spot?
Share your thoughts below.