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Goal.com's MLS Best XI Of 2010
Jul 8, 2010 8:26:00 PM
By Zac Lee Rigg
With the 2010 MLS All Star Game just around the bend, Goal.com selects the best 11 players by form in Major League Soccer.
Opting for an adventurous 3-5-2 formation, it's almost assured Bruce Arena will settle for a more practical lineup when he leads the All Stars out against Manchester United on July 25. Nevertheless, these are the players tearing up the league in 2010.
Goalkeeper:
Donovan Ricketts, Los Angeles Galaxy
The Jamaican goalkeeper's stats make for impressive reading. Nine shutouts, an 0.88 save percentage, and a 0.36 goals-against average. Nick Rimando's 0.79 goals-against average is second best in the league but not even half as solid as Ricketts'. There's only one man you want between the pipes from MLS, and that's the red-hot Ricketts.
Defense:
Omar Gonzalez, Los Angeles Galaxy
Pushing on from his Rookie of the Year award in 2009, the 21-year-old has emerged as a towering force in the Galaxy backline. Gonzalez marries an intimidating 6'5 frame with an improved awareness of play which suits the sophomore for any offensive test. Furthermore, Gonzalez has matured as a leader and organizer in the back line to the point that, whether partnered with Gregg Berhalter or Leonardo, LA boasts the stingiest backline in the league.
Nat Borchers, Real Salt Lake
Nat Borchers gets our Best XI vote not because he is a flashy, headline-grabbing player, but for the opposite reason. His conservative, low-key consistency is what RSL need to be able to do what they like to do. Borchers' style of play allows Jamison Olave to take risks, and allows the outside backs to push up into the attack. Olave and the other defenders know that if they get caught upfield on a counterattack, Borchers will be there to break things up. By Jeremy Horton
Todd Dunivant, Los Angeles Galaxy
There's nothing flashy about Todd Dunivant's game. At times he can go unnoticed through entire matches at a time. That's how you know the Galaxy fullback is doing his job. He tends to mark his wingers out of the match completely and hold the line perfectly, never giving commentators or fans a chance to point out anything he's doing poorly. There hasn't been a more consistent defender in the league this year.
Midfield:
Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy
Landon Donovan's name is a given in these sorts of lists by now. The best player in MLS combines his silky counterattacking skills with a ferocious desire to win. Moved back into a midfield role of late, the 28-year-old has excelled, providing a league-leading 10 assists already, including four game-winning services. Glistening pace, concentration for the full match, and pin-point vision, the U.S. international is the most devastating attacking in MLS.
Dwayne DeRosario, Toronto FC
You hate to throw around a cliché like “heart and soul”, but De Rosario is that vital to Toronto FC. As DeRo goes, so do the Reds. A midfield general and a creative force in attack, every touch for De Rosario is purposeful and he instantly makes those around him superior. Is De Rosario the most skilled or talented player in MLS? Perhaps not, but there few who are better suited to excel in this league than Toronto FC’s talisman and captain. By Mike Beauvais
David Ferreira, FC Dallas
With three goals and four assists, Ferreira is easily the Hoops' biggest offensive threat. His link-up play and creativity have proven dangerous throughout the season, so much so that he often finds himself double- or even triple-teamed on some occasions. The small, speedy forward covers ground all over the offensive third of the pitch, never staying in one area for too long. Without his spark, FCD would surely have a more lackluster attack. By Greer Wilson-Chavez
Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake
Javier Morales is the prototypical #10 for Jason Kreis. The entire offense flows through him, and it's hard to find an RSL goal he wasn't involved in. He has the ability to play in tight spaces, buy time for himself, and use his excellent vision and touch to put dangerous passes through the defense. The more touches Morales gets, the better Salt Lake are. Plus his set pieces - whether crossing or going directly to goal - are second to none in MLS. By Jeremy Horton
Sebastian Le Toux, Philadelphia Union
I don't think I've ever seen a forward who works as hard in defense and midfield as Le Toux does. The term "tracking back" barely begins to cover the extent of his work-rate. But it's not all just hustle. After being used mostly as a sub with the Sounders last year, Peter Nowak made Seba the focal point of the Union attack, and he's repaid that confidence and inspired the inexperienced Philadelphia offense, scoring 6 goals and supplying 6 assists in 10 games. The only other player who's created as much offensive output this season is the Galaxy's Edson Buddle. By Keith Hickey
Attack:
Edson Buddle, Los Angeles Galaxy
Since the beginning of the MLS season, Edson Buddle has been a dominant force on the pitch. In the first six games, Buddle netted an impressive nine goals, and these numbers earned him a trip to South Africa. During his hiatus, his nine goal record was untouched and on his homecoming match Buddle extended it to double digits. By Jonathan Vera
Juan Pablo Angel, New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls sprinted to early season success, freeing itself of the baggage created by a miserable 2009 campaign. But that didn't stop questions from surrounding star striker Juan Pablo Angel. Why wasn't he scoring from the run of play? Was age finally catching up? Was he still interested? Yes, he scored five goals in his first ten matches, but his finishing touch and mobility just seemed off. Well, in stoppage time on primetime TV, Angel made anyone who had doubted him seem utterly ridiculous. With a stunning freekick, the greatest goalscorer in NY history propelled his club over Houston and legitimized their claim as an MLS Cup contender. Since returning from the World Cup break, Angel has continued to display why the Red Bulls rely so heavily on the second leading scorer in MLS. By Avery Raimondo
Think anyone has been criminally overlooked? Leave your own best 11 in the comments section below.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Opting for an adventurous 3-5-2 formation, it's almost assured Bruce Arena will settle for a more practical lineup when he leads the All Stars out against Manchester United on July 25. Nevertheless, these are the players tearing up the league in 2010.
Goalkeeper:
Donovan Ricketts, Los Angeles Galaxy
The Jamaican goalkeeper's stats make for impressive reading. Nine shutouts, an 0.88 save percentage, and a 0.36 goals-against average. Nick Rimando's 0.79 goals-against average is second best in the league but not even half as solid as Ricketts'. There's only one man you want between the pipes from MLS, and that's the red-hot Ricketts.
Defense:
Omar Gonzalez, Los Angeles Galaxy
Pushing on from his Rookie of the Year award in 2009, the 21-year-old has emerged as a towering force in the Galaxy backline. Gonzalez marries an intimidating 6'5 frame with an improved awareness of play which suits the sophomore for any offensive test. Furthermore, Gonzalez has matured as a leader and organizer in the back line to the point that, whether partnered with Gregg Berhalter or Leonardo, LA boasts the stingiest backline in the league.
Nat Borchers, Real Salt Lake
Nat Borchers gets our Best XI vote not because he is a flashy, headline-grabbing player, but for the opposite reason. His conservative, low-key consistency is what RSL need to be able to do what they like to do. Borchers' style of play allows Jamison Olave to take risks, and allows the outside backs to push up into the attack. Olave and the other defenders know that if they get caught upfield on a counterattack, Borchers will be there to break things up. By Jeremy Horton
Todd Dunivant, Los Angeles Galaxy
There's nothing flashy about Todd Dunivant's game. At times he can go unnoticed through entire matches at a time. That's how you know the Galaxy fullback is doing his job. He tends to mark his wingers out of the match completely and hold the line perfectly, never giving commentators or fans a chance to point out anything he's doing poorly. There hasn't been a more consistent defender in the league this year.
Midfield:
Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy
Landon Donovan's name is a given in these sorts of lists by now. The best player in MLS combines his silky counterattacking skills with a ferocious desire to win. Moved back into a midfield role of late, the 28-year-old has excelled, providing a league-leading 10 assists already, including four game-winning services. Glistening pace, concentration for the full match, and pin-point vision, the U.S. international is the most devastating attacking in MLS.
Dwayne DeRosario, Toronto FC
You hate to throw around a cliché like “heart and soul”, but De Rosario is that vital to Toronto FC. As DeRo goes, so do the Reds. A midfield general and a creative force in attack, every touch for De Rosario is purposeful and he instantly makes those around him superior. Is De Rosario the most skilled or talented player in MLS? Perhaps not, but there few who are better suited to excel in this league than Toronto FC’s talisman and captain. By Mike Beauvais
David Ferreira, FC Dallas
With three goals and four assists, Ferreira is easily the Hoops' biggest offensive threat. His link-up play and creativity have proven dangerous throughout the season, so much so that he often finds himself double- or even triple-teamed on some occasions. The small, speedy forward covers ground all over the offensive third of the pitch, never staying in one area for too long. Without his spark, FCD would surely have a more lackluster attack. By Greer Wilson-Chavez
Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake
Javier Morales is the prototypical #10 for Jason Kreis. The entire offense flows through him, and it's hard to find an RSL goal he wasn't involved in. He has the ability to play in tight spaces, buy time for himself, and use his excellent vision and touch to put dangerous passes through the defense. The more touches Morales gets, the better Salt Lake are. Plus his set pieces - whether crossing or going directly to goal - are second to none in MLS. By Jeremy Horton
Sebastian Le Toux, Philadelphia Union
I don't think I've ever seen a forward who works as hard in defense and midfield as Le Toux does. The term "tracking back" barely begins to cover the extent of his work-rate. But it's not all just hustle. After being used mostly as a sub with the Sounders last year, Peter Nowak made Seba the focal point of the Union attack, and he's repaid that confidence and inspired the inexperienced Philadelphia offense, scoring 6 goals and supplying 6 assists in 10 games. The only other player who's created as much offensive output this season is the Galaxy's Edson Buddle. By Keith Hickey
Attack:
Edson Buddle, Los Angeles Galaxy
Since the beginning of the MLS season, Edson Buddle has been a dominant force on the pitch. In the first six games, Buddle netted an impressive nine goals, and these numbers earned him a trip to South Africa. During his hiatus, his nine goal record was untouched and on his homecoming match Buddle extended it to double digits. By Jonathan Vera
Juan Pablo Angel, New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls sprinted to early season success, freeing itself of the baggage created by a miserable 2009 campaign. But that didn't stop questions from surrounding star striker Juan Pablo Angel. Why wasn't he scoring from the run of play? Was age finally catching up? Was he still interested? Yes, he scored five goals in his first ten matches, but his finishing touch and mobility just seemed off. Well, in stoppage time on primetime TV, Angel made anyone who had doubted him seem utterly ridiculous. With a stunning freekick, the greatest goalscorer in NY history propelled his club over Houston and legitimized their claim as an MLS Cup contender. Since returning from the World Cup break, Angel has continued to display why the Red Bulls rely so heavily on the second leading scorer in MLS. By Avery Raimondo
Ricketts
Gonzalez – Borchers – Dunivant
Donovan – DeRosario – Ferreira – Morales – Le Toux
Buddle – Angel
Gonzalez – Borchers – Dunivant
Donovan – DeRosario – Ferreira – Morales – Le Toux
Buddle – Angel
Think anyone has been criminally overlooked? Leave your own best 11 in the comments section below.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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