Dec 2, 2014; New York, NY, USA; MLS commissioner Don Garber during the MLS state of the league address at Univision Studios. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Today, the MLS Best XI was announced, and it is a star-studded lineup of players. Bill Hamid was named as the goalkeeper for the Best XI; Chad Marshall, Bobby Boswell and Omar Gonzalez were named the defenders; Lee Nguyen, Landon Donovan, Diego Valeri and Thierry Henry were named as the midfielders; and the forwards are Robbie Keane, Obafemi Martins and Bradley Wright-Phillips.
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For some of these faces, it’s old hat. This is Donovan’s seventh appearance in the MLS Best XI; Henry was also named to the Best XI in 2011 and 2012. Keane is now on the list for the third straight season, while Gonzalez is now on the list for the fourth time ever, putting him in elite company with Eddie Pope, Jimmy Conrad and Robin Fraser.
Valeri joins the Best XI for the second straight year; while it’s a second go at the list for Boswell. Finally, Marshall is on the list for the third time in his career, with prior appearances in 2008 and 2009.
Omissions from this year’s MLS First XI include Toronto FC midfielder and US national team regular Michael Bradley, Seattle Sounders forward and US captain Clint Dempsey, Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman and Seattle Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso. Sporting Kansas City’s tandem of defender Matt Besler and midfielder Graham Zusi were also left off the team for the first time in three campaigns.
This is the MLS First XI here on the MLS Multiplex.
2014 MLS Best XI:
Bill Hamid Goalkeeper D.C. United Nationality: USA
A finalist for the Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year, Hamid ranked among league leaders in shutouts (10), saves (110), goals against average (1.13) and finished with the year with the best save percentage (75 percent). The U.S. international set career highs in both shutouts and saves and logged the most minutes of his career with 2,700 for D.C. United. Hamid was also named to his first MLS All-Star team in 2014, becoming the first Homegrown goalkeeper to do so. This is his first MLS Best XI selection.
Chad Marshall Defender Seattle Sounders FC Nationality: USA
In his first season with Seattle, Marshall became the first player in league history to be named MLS Defender of the Year for the third time after winning back-to-back honors in 2008 and 2009 while with the Columbus Crew. This year, Marshall anchored a Seattle defense that captured its fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title and first MLS Supporters’ Shield championship, while recording one goal and three assists. Marshall led the league with 136 interceptions and recorded 126 headers won, 206 clearances and an 83-percent passing accuracy. This is Marshall’s third MLS Best XI selection.
Bobby Boswell Defender D.C. United Nationality: USA
A finalist for Defender of the Year, Boswell was the backbone of D.C. United’s resurgence in 2014, which saw the club finish first in the Eastern Conference after a last-place finish the year before. Boswell’s veteran leadership helped D.C. United post 12 shutouts, allow the fewest goals at home and finish the season tied for the league’s lowest goals against average (1.09). This is his second MLS Best XI selection.
Omar Gonzalez Defender LA Galaxy Nationality: USA
A finalist for Defender of the Year, Gonzalez was vital for both the US men’s national team and LA Galaxy in 2014. In addition to logging 180 minutes at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Gonzalez anchored a Galaxy defense that recorded 10 shutouts and tied D.C. United for the fewest number of goals allowed with 37. The 6-foot-5 center back also notched four goals and two assists on the year. This is his fourth MLS Best XI selection.
Lee Nguyen Midfielder New England Revolution Nationality: USA
A finalist for Volkswagen MLS MVP, Nguyen had a breakout season that saw him set an MLS career high of 18 goals, the fourth highest total in the league and most among midfielders. He added five assists, which tied him for second-best for New England. This is his first MLS Best XI selection.
Landon Donovan Midfielder LA Galaxy Nationality: USA
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Donovan’s final MLS season was arguably his finest, headlined by his 10 goals and league-leading 19 assists. On May 25, Donovan became MLS’ all-time leading scorer, surpassing Jeff Cunningham’s mark of 134. Donovan now holds the all-time goals record with 144 regular-season tallies, as well as the all-time regular-season assists record with 136 helpers. This is his seventh Best XI selection, the most by any player in MLS history.
Diego Valeri Midfielder Portland Timbers Nationality: Argentina
Valeri captured Newcomer of the Year honors and a Best XI bid in his MLS debut last year, and he followed that up with an even stronger sophomore season. The Argentine set Timbers MLS single-season record marks in goals (11) and assists (14) in 33 appearances for the Cascadia club this year, while his 14 helpers ranked second in MLS. This is his second MLS Best XI selection.
Thierry Henry Midfielder New York Red Bulls Nationality: France
In his last season in MLS, Henry showed no signs of slowing down, instead turning in a stellar fifth season with the New York Red Bulls. Henry recorded MLS career highs in starts (30), minutes (2,651) and assists (14) – many of which helped etch teammate Bradley Wright-Phillips into the history books as the Englishman tied the all-time single-season goal record with 27 tallies. Henry’s shift to left midfield late in the year proved invaluable for New York, with his five assists in five postseason matches helping lead the Red Bulls to finish runners-up in the Eastern Conference Championship.
Robbie Keane Forward LA Galaxy Nationality: Ireland
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A finalist for the Volkswagen MLS MVP award for the second consecutive year, Keane enjoyed his most prolific season with the LA Galaxy. Keane set MLS career highs in goals scored with 19 and assists with 14, placing him third and tied-for-second in the league, respectively. The Irish international also led all players in game-winning assists with six on the year. Keane became the world’s leading active goalscorer in international play upon Miroslav Klose’s retirement in August. This is his third consecutive MLS Best XI selection.
Bradley Wright-Phillips Forward New York Red Bulls Nationality: England
Wright-Phillips made quite the impression in his first full season in MLS, with the Red Bulls striker tying the MLS single-season goals record. The Englishman’s 27-goal campaign will go down as one of the most spectacular the league has ever seen, with Wright-Phillips registering six multi-goal games — including three hat tricks — in 32 appearances. This is his first MLS Best XI selection.
Obafemi Martins Forward Seattle Sounders FC Nationality: Nigeria
A finalist for the 2014 Volkswagen MLS MVP award, Martins’ electrifying speed and scoring touch propelled the Seattle Sounders to their fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title and first Supporters’ Shield. In his second season with the Sounders, Martins led the club in goals (17) and assists (13) after forging a dynamic partnership with fellow forward Clint Dempsey. The Nigerian finished the season fifth in the league in both goals and assists, while the Sounders went 12-0 in games where Martins scored a goal.