The 2011 Major League Soccer season was arguably the best in league history, from both a competition and entertainment standpoint, and as a result, it made for some tough calls when deciding on the league's Best XI.
MLS commissioner Don Garber will announce the league's official Best XI later today, but based on the voting of the SBI editorial staff (Ives Galarcep, Avi Creditor, Adam Serrano, Mike Nastri, Jose Romero, Thomas Floyd, Joey Samuel), we came up with a first, second and third team to honor those who put forth standout performances this season.
Four players were unanimous selections to SBI's Best XI, and three players were repeat selections from our 2010 SBI MLS Best XI.
Now, without further ado, here is SBI's 2011 MLS Best XI:
SBI MLS BEST XI
FIRST TEAM (*=2010 Best XI)
GK- Kasey Keller, Seattle Sounders
*D- Omar Gonzalez, Los Angeles Galaxy (Unanimous)
D- Todd Dunivant, Los Angeles Galaxy
D- George John, FC Dallas
M- Brad Davis, Houston Dynamo (Unanimous)
M- Brek Shea, FC Dallas (Unanimous)
M- Mauro Rosales, Seattle Sounders
M- Osvaldo Alonso, Seattle Sounders
M- David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy
*F – Dwayne De Rosario, D.C. United (Unanimous)
*F – Chris Wondolowski, San Jose Earthquakes
SECOND TEAM
GK- Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake
D- Jamison Olave, Real Salt Lake
D- Nat Borchers, Real Salt Lake
D- Chad Marshall, Columbus Crew
M- Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy
M- Sebastien Le Toux, Philadelphia Union
M- Kyle Beckerman, Real Salt Lake
M- Joel Lindpere, New York Red Bulls
M- Graham Zusi, Sporting Kansas City
F- Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls
F- Fredy Montero, Seattle Sounders
THIRD TEAM
GK- Faryd Mondragon, Philadelphia Union
D- Sheanon Williams, Philadelphia Union
D- Carlos Valdes, Philadelphia Union
D- Matt Besler, Sporting Kansas City
M- Jack Jewsbury, Portland Timbers
M- Nick LaBrocca, Chivas USA
M- Marco Pappa, Chicago Fire
M- Jeff Larentowicz, Colorado Rapids
M- Geoff Cameron, Houston Dynamo
F- Dominic Oduro, Chicago Fire
F- Andres Mendoza, Columbus Crew
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What do you think of SBI's Best XI? Who didn't make the cut that you would have included? Is there someone missing from the first team that you feel should have been on it?
Share your thoughts below.