No room for Lionel Messi! Argentine absent from 2023 MLS Best XI - while USMNT duo Matt Miazga and Walker Zimmerman make cut

USMNT duo Matt Miazga and Walker Zimmerman highlighted the defense of the team, while World Cup winner Thiago Almada notched a spot in the midfield alongside MVP Lucho Acosta, ex-Atletico Madrid star Hector Herrera and former league MVP Hany Mukhtar. The front-three sports MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga, alongside Columbus Crew star Cucho Hernandez and MLS Newcomer of the Year Giorgos Giakoumakis.

Despite the fact that the Argentine led the Herons to glory in the inaugural Leagues Cup this season, Messi was always unlikely to be selected for the MLS Best XI as he only played in six regular season matches. Despite his heroics en route to winning the final, where he claimed the Golden Boot, his exclusion is purely because he did not play enough MLS league games.

This is Zimmerman's fifth-straight year being recognized as a member of the MLS Best XI. He is only the fifth player in league history to make the team at least five times.

The Conference finals await, as we near the end of the 2023 season. In the Western Conference, LAFC and the Houston Dynamo are set to clash for a spot in MLS Cup while the East sports an intra-Ohio contest. The Hell is Real derby makes it's MLS playoff debut, as FC Cincinnati host rivals Columbus Crew. Both matches are set to take place on December 2, with MLS Cup on December 9.