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MLS: Every team’s best starting XI for 2019

By Joshua Bowers

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 08: Atlanta United players celebrate with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy after winning the MLS Cup against the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta won 2-0. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 08: Atlanta United players celebrate with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy after winning the MLS Cup against the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta won 2-0. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Marcos Lopez (R) from Sporting Cristal, vies for the ball with Luis Garro (L) from Alianza Lima, during the Descentralizado Tournament football final at the National Stadium in Lima on December 16, 2018. (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP) (Photo credit should read ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP/Getty Images)
Marcos Lopez (R) from Sporting Cristal, vies for the ball with Luis Garro (L) from Alianza Lima, during the Descentralizado Tournament football final at the National Stadium in Lima on December 16, 2018. (Photo by ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP) (Photo credit should read ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP/Getty Images) /

San Jose Earthquakes

4-4-1-1

GK JT Marcinkowski

RB Nick Lima

CB Guram Kashia

CB Florian Jungwirth

LB Marcos Lopez

RM Magnus Eriksson

CM Anibal Godoy

CM Jackson Yuiell

LM Cristian Espinoza

CAM Vako

ST Danny Hoesen

I had a hard time filling San Jose’s starting line-up. They have one of the few rosters where there aren’t 11 players I’m excited about. Let’s start at the back. Nick Lima is a lock at right back. Marcos Lopez has a ton of hype behind him at left-back. Guram Kashia is making a lot of money and was solid enough in his twelve starts with the club. The other center-back position is likely to be filled by Harold Cummings. However, I decided to move Florian Jungwirth there from midfield. Jungwirth started 13 games as a central midfielder last year and 10 as a center-back. His match rating according to whoscored.com as a center-back was 6.86. That would be the best match rating amongst central defenders on this team.

With Jungwirth on the defensive-line, I have 2017 first-round pick Jackson Yuiell joining Anibal Godoy in midfield. I have an attachment to the 2017 Generation Adidas class and I really want Yueill to break out this season.

Vako was San Jose’s best player last year. He played most often as a left midfielder (inverted). I believe his best position is central-attacking midfield. The addition of Cristian Espinoza gives me the opportunity to bring Vako back inside to play beneath Danny Hoesen.

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