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SBI MLS Best XI: Week Three

MattHedges2 (ISIPhotos.com)

By IVES GALARCEP

As much as Major League Soccer is now the home for many of the top established centerbacks in the U.S. Men’s National Team player pool, you can make a good argument that the best central defender in the early weeks of the new MLS season is uncapped American Matt Hedges.

The FC Dallas defender has helped anchor his team’s defense in the absence of injured standout George John, and Hedges even provided his own emphatic statement of intent when he beat Matt Besler to an equalizing goal just a week ago.

Hedges turned in another strong showing last week in FC Dallas’ 3-1 win against Chivas USA, helping him earn SBI MLS Best XI honors for a second straight week.

Week Three saw another strong showing for MLS midfielders, with Michael Bradley once again dominating proceedings for Toronto FC and Benny Feilhaber continuing his push for a spot on the U.S. World Cup team.

Here is how the rest of the SBI MLS Best XI shook out for Week Three:

SBI MLS Best XI (Week 3)

—————————Robbie Keane———————————-

—————————Benny Feilhaber——————————-

Bernardo Anor———Michael Bradley————–Dillon Powers

——————————–Wil Trapp———————————

Shane O’Neill–Jose Goncalves—Aurelien Collin—-Matt Hedges

——————————–Luis Robles——————————-

HONORABLE MENTION

David Ousted, Michael Parkhurst, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Roy Miller, Kellyn Acosta, Mauro Diaz, Graham Zusi, Dax McCarty, Vincent Nogueira, Kyle Beckerman, Javier Morales, Matias Laba, Jonathan Osorio, Federico Higuain, Lamar Neagle.

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What did you think of this week’s selections? Who didn’t make our Best XI that you feel deserved a spot? Who were you happy to see recognized this week?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Djimi Traore perhaps deserved an Honorable Mention for skippering Seattle to a clean sheet at Montreal in addition to a save off the line himself….That said, can’t really argue with who is selected.

    Reply
  2. Our current CB’s (and entire back line for that matter) sure aren’t scaring our WC group opponents. Hedges may be one for the next cycle but Besler, Gonzalez, Goodson better step up over the next few months.

    Reply
  3. Benny Feilhaber seems to be flying under the radar, he has been as complete of a midfielder as there is in MLS through 3 games.

    Reply
    • I’m really hoping he gets an extended look in the mexico friendly. If he’s in form he can really bring something to the USMNT

      Reply
      • That’s the big question with Feilhaber, though. His pass in the MLS Cup was divine, but his overall form with the NT has been spotty at best. He hasn’t been able to pull off Joga Bonita enough in games that matter.

      • 2014 Benny has been a box to box midfielder with considerably more skill than any box to box on the roster.

        Not saying this will keep up, etc., but I wouldn’t pigeon hole him as just a creator

    • Can someone explain to me why Benny Feilhaber did not work out in New England? Two draft picks and allocation money seems like a very low price to pay for an every day (maybe-star) player in the prime of his career.

      Also is anyone else as surprised as I was to realize that Benny’s last USMNT goal was that stunner against Mexico to win the Gold Cup in 2007?

      Reply
      • Not stunned at all. Benny has never really been known as a goal scorer, playmaker absolutely. I am a little stunned that Klinsman has seemingly forgot that he’s even in the USMNT pool.

      • As a New England supporter, I can tell you we were all asking ourselves that same question. We’ve chalked it up to a simple mismatch of personnel, e.g. an outgoing Stevie Nicol and Shalrie Joseph, unsupportive management (still a problem), and a negative atmosphere in the dressing room. There’s also the fact that Benny, while a fantastic player, does better when he’s in a successful, highly structured system, and New England circa 2011 was anything but.

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