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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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COMMERCE CITY, CO – JUNE 03: Federico Higuain #10 of the Columbus Crew SC celebrates his goal with Waylon Francis #14 against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 3, 2017 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
COMMERCE CITY, CO – JUNE 03: Federico Higuain #10 of the Columbus Crew SC celebrates his goal with Waylon Francis #14 against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 3, 2017 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Columbus Crew

4-2-3-1

GK Zack Steffen

RB Harrison Afful

CB Jonathan Mensah

CB Lalas Abubakar

LB Waylon Francis

CDM Will Trapp

CDM Artur

RM Pedro Santos

CAM Federico Higuain

LM Justin Meram

ST Gyasi Zardes

This is the consensus starting line-up. It’s also the lineup Berhalter used last season, with the exception of Francis replacing the injured Valenzuela. Don’t fix what ain’t broke, right?

I will add a couple of thoughts, though. First, center-back is a little flexible. Gaston Sauro, Josh Williams, and Alex Crognale could all be in the mix there. Secondly, Zach Steffen is set to move to Manchester City in the summer. Presumably, he will be replaced by Joe Bendik.

But other than that, this is perhaps the most settled XI in all MLS.

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