MLS Best XI

MLS Best XI
Name	MLS Best XI
Awarded for	Annual selection of top players in Major League Soccer
Presenter	Major League Soccer
Country	United States
First awarded	1996

MLS Best XI

The MLS Best XI is an annual end-of-season team recognizing the eleven top performers in Major League Soccer competition. Established in 1996, the honor has been presented alongside other league awards such as the Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award, the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, and the MLS Rookie of the Year. Recipients frequently include players from clubs like LA Galaxy, D.C. United, Seattle Sounders FC, and Atlanta United FC, and the list often overlaps with selections to United States men's national soccer team squads, Canada men's national soccer team call-ups, and transfers to Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga clubs.

History

The concept originated in the inaugural 1996 Major League Soccer season as a way to showcase elite talents such as Carlos Valderrama, Marco Etcheverry, Tony Meola, and Roy Wegerle. Over the 1997 Major League Soccer season, 1998 MLS Cup and subsequent seasons the award evolved alongside expansion teams like New England Revolution, FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, and later entrants such as New York City FC, Inter Miami CF, and Nashville SC. Major milestones include the 2000s rise of designated players highlighted by David Beckham arrivals to LA Galaxy and the 2010s emergence of young talents like Lee Nguyen, Gyasi Zardes, Jordan Morris, and Miguel Almirón who later moved to Newcastle United and other English Football League clubs. The Best XI reflects shifts in coaching philosophies from managers such as Sigi Schmid, Bruce Arena, Rafael Márquez Lugo (as player-coach examples), and technical directors at clubs like Sporting Kansas City and Columbus Crew.

Selection process

The selection process has combined input from media panels, club technical staffs, and MLS stakeholders. Historically, votes have been cast by journalists from outlets including ESPN, Fox Sports, The Athletic, and regional newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and New York Times sports section, alongside representatives from franchises such as Chicago Fire FC and Orlando City SC. The announcement typically coincides with the postseason awards period that includes the MLS Cup Playoffs and culminates around the MLS Cup final. The methodology has been refined over time to incorporate statistical leaders from sources such as Opta Sports, Stats Perform, and MLS proprietary analytics.

Criteria and voting bodies

Eligibility centers on regular-season performance in categories such as minutes played, goals, assists, clean sheets, and advanced metrics including expected goals (xG) and expected assists (xA) measured by analytics firms like Wyscout and Instat. Voting bodies commonly comprise national media members affiliated with outlets like CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, and wire services such as the Associated Press, plus MLS head coaches, technical directors, and formerly, player votes coordinated by entities like the Major League Soccer Players Association. League officials from MLS Commissioner offices and season statisticians also influence shortlist creation. The final eleven are arranged into positional configurations—goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, forwards—mirroring formations used by clubs like Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Notable players and records

Several players have amassed multiple Best XI honors, including Landon Donovan (multiple selections in the 2000s), Chris Wondolowski (all-time MLS goals leader and repeat honoree), Brad Guzan (goalkeeper selections), and international stars such as David Beckham and Thierry Henry during their MLS tenures. Young talents later exported to Premier League and La Liga—for example Miguel Almirón and Alejandro Pozuelo—also earned Best XI recognition. Clubs with frequent representation include LA Galaxy, D.C. United, Seattle Sounders FC, and Sporting Kansas City. Individual records note most selections, youngest selectees, and players who combined Best XI honors with MLS Cup MVP, Concacaf Champions League contributions, and international tournament call-ups to events like the FIFA World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Year-by-year lists

Each MLS season features a designated Best XI roster reflecting the campaign’s top performers. Early lists from 1996–1999 highlighted veterans such as Tony Meola and Carlos Valderrama, while 2000s rosters featured stars like Clint Dempsey and Freddie Ljungberg during loan or transfer spells. The 2010s and 2020s Best XI selections include repeat honorees like Kevin Molino, Graham Zusi, Diego Valeri, and newcomers from expansion franchises such as FC Cincinnati. Annual announcements are archived by league communiqués, club press releases from organizations including Houston Dynamo, Real Salt Lake, and coverage by sports outlets like Goal (website) and Soccer America.

Impact and reception

The award influences player market value, transfer negotiations involving clubs like Aston Villa and Sevilla FC, and contract talks led by general managers at institutions such as Atlanta United FC and Toronto FC. Reception from fans and pundits at networks like NBC Sports and podcasts produced by The 442 can affect narrative framing of MVP races and Best XI debates. Critics and analysts from outlets like FourFourTwo and The Guardian (US sports) have discussed representation balance between offensive and defensive roles, domestic-born players versus internationals, and the interplay with Major League Soccer’s roster mechanisms such as the Designated Player Rule and Allocation Ranking procedures. Overall, the Best XI remains a key annual barometer of elite performance within North American professional soccer.

Category:Major League Soccer awards