If you are wondering just how representative the MLS conference finals are of the best talent in MLS, consider the fact that seven players taking part in this weekend’s playoff proceedings made the 2015 SBI MLS Best XI.
No, playoff performances didn’t factor into the selections of the 11 best players in MLS this season, but it shouldn’t be a surprise that so many players who were among the league’s best during the regular season are now helping their teams make runs at the MLS Cup title.
The league’s best player in 2015, Sebastian Giovinco, isn’t still going in the postseason, but any Best XI you build has to start with the Italian sensation, who led the league in goals and assists.
The Columbus Crew led the way with three selections, including MLS goals co-leader Kei Kamara.
Here is the 2015 SBI MLS Best XI
Some thoughts on the SBI MLS Best XI
Matt Hedges was the only member of the 2014 SBI MLS Best XI to be a repeat selection.
There were a total of five unanimous selections: Giovinco, Feilhaber, Finlay, McCarty and Waston.
Unlike last year, we stuck with natural positions in our selections. We felt this was the most fair way to honor the league’s best players at all positions. Obviously not all teams play the same formations, but the Best XI we settled on was a fair representation of the league’s best at every position.
There were some very close calls, particularly at goalkeeper, where Robles narrowly edged out David Ousted, and centerback, where Hedges edged out Laurent Ciman.
Here is the SBI MLS Best XI 2nd Team:
SECONDĀ TEAM
——-David Villa———Robbie Keane—-
—————–Sacha Kljestan—————-
Mike Grella—————Darlington Nagbe
——————Matias Laba—————–
Chris Tierney——————Tyrone Mears
——Chad Marshall—-Laurent Ciman—–
—————–David Ousted—————–
———
What do you think of our selections? Who do you feel was the biggest stub from first team? Who are you happiest to see be given recognition?
Share your thoughts below.
Powell has been good this year, and has a lot of promise, but not great. He still makes a lot of mistakes: Diving into tackles too much, being out of position, losing runners from ball-watching (see Dallas’s first goal last weekend), going on good attacking runs down the sideline but then not passing the ball off and losing it, etc. I think Harrison Afful is a better and more mature right back. However, Powell has tremendous promise and great skills, and I expect to see him named here again in a future year if he doesn’t go abroad.
Tchani
It would be interesting to see who the players would vote? Marshall, Waston, Gonzo, and even Hedges might give Fanendo Adi some recognition. Not doubt they know who Adi is after they play him and their bodies the next day feel it.
Michael Bradley makes more then the entire roster of any of the remaining playoff sides. TFC spent more then all 4 of the teams combined. Just thought that was kind of interesting.
These lists range from obvious to subjective. It’s a nice honor for players selected, but it tells me little about the league.
Benny Feilhaber
Ethan Finlay
Dax McCarthy
Matt Hedges
Mike Grella
Sasha Kljestan
Darlington Nagbe
Chad Marshall
Chris Tierney
If that doesn’t tell you were the USMNT is in terms of player-form nothing will. Wow
5 Americans in the Best XI… that have a COMBINED 1 cap between them for the US national team in the last year, and that’s Matt Hedges who was a late addition to the January camp roster and given a few meaningless minutes at the end of a friendly.
Awesome to Alvas Powell getting the recognition he deserves. He’s been fantastic!
5 Americans in the Best XI and none of them are in the National Team…makes perfect sense..
All 5 Americans in the XI have featured for the USMNT except Finlay, who is likely to get called up in January’s camp cup cake. Outside of Finlay & possibly Feilhaber the other 3 players mentioned are further down the USMNT depth chart than those who are regularly selected to the USMNT.
Hedges is competing with: Besler, Cameron, Brooks, Gonzalez, Alvarado, (U-20/23 players)
Robles is competing with: Howard, Guzan, Hamid, Yarbrough, Johnson, (U-20/23 players)
McCarty is competing with: Bradley, Jones, Williams, Morales, Kitchen (U-20/23 players)
Do these players deserve another shot at the USMNT…Yes. Will they get it…most likely not.
Awesome that so many USMNT members were among the selections. Not.
Disekrud was snubbed
I know right, his one assist in the season should have gotten him more votes
Drogba?
On that note, who is the most over paid in MLS?
no arguments here. best xi was pretty clear this year.
only three players in the top 22 salaries on the 1st or 2nd team too.
Robles is not even close to the best keeper in the league. I don’t understand why he’s getting all this love.