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The MLS Best XI is an annual acknowledgment of the best eleven players in Major League Soccer. The selection is determined by a collection of media, players, and MLS club technical staffs. [1]

Winners

Year Goalkeeper Defenders Midfielders Forwards
1996
[2]
United States Mark Dodd, Dallas Colombia Leonel Álvarez, Dallas
United States John Doyle, San Jose
United States Robin Fraser, LA Galaxy
El Salvador Mauricio Cienfuegos, LA Galaxy
Italy Roberto Donadoni, MetroStars
Bolivia Marco Etcheverry, D.C. United
United States Preki, Kansas City
Colombia Carlos Valderrama, Tampa Bay
Ecuador Eduardo Hurtado, LA Galaxy
United States Roy Lassiter, Tampa Bay
1997
[2]
United States Brad Friedel, Columbus United States Jeff Agoos, D.C. United
United States Thomas Dooley, Columbus
Scotland Richard Gough, Kansas City
United States Eddie Pope, D.C. United
United States Mark Chung, Kansas City
Bolivia Marco Etcheverry, D.C. United (2)
United States Preki, Kansas City (2)
Colombia Carlos Valderrama, Tampa Bay (2)
El Salvador Ronald Cerritos, San Jose
Bolivia Jaime Moreno, D.C. United
1998
[2]
United States Zach Thornton, Chicago United States Thomas Dooley, Columbus (2)
United States Robin Fraser, LA Galaxy (2)
Czech Republic Luboš Kubík, Chicago
United States Eddie Pope, D.C. United (2)
United States Chris Armas, Chicago
El Salvador Mauricio Cienfuegos, LA Galaxy (2)
Bolivia Marco Etcheverry, D.C. United (3)
Poland Piotr Nowak, Chicago
Trinidad and Tobago Stern John, Columbus
United States Cobi Jones, LA Galaxy
1999
[2]
United States Kevin Hartman, LA Galaxy United States Jeff Agoos, D.C. United (2)
Czech Republic Luboš Kubík, Chicago (2)
United States Robin Fraser, LA Galaxy (3)
United States Chris Armas, Chicago (2)
El Salvador Mauricio Cienfuegos, LA Galaxy (3)
Bolivia Marco Etcheverry, D.C. United (4)
United States Eddie Lewis, San Jose
United States Steve Ralston, Tampa Bay
United States Jason Kreis, Dallas
Bolivia Jaime Moreno, D.C. United (2)
2000
[2]
United States Tony Meola, Kansas City United States Robin Fraser, LA Galaxy (4)
United States Greg Vanney, LA Galaxy
United States Peter Vermes, Kansas City
United States Chris Armas, Chicago (3)
Poland Piotr Nowak, Chicago (2)
United States Steve Ralston, Tampa Bay (2)
Bulgaria Hristo Stoichkov, Chicago
Colombia Carlos Valderrama, Tampa Bay (3)
Senegal Mamadou Diallo, Tampa Bay
United States Clint Mathis, MetroStars
2001
[2]
United States Tim Howard, MetroStars United States Jeff Agoos, San Jose (3)
United States Carlos Llamosa, Miami
United States Pablo Mastroeni, Miami
United States Greg Vanney, LA Galaxy (2)
United States Chris Armas, Chicago (4)
Poland Piotr Nowak, Chicago (3)
United States Preki, Miami (3)
Honduras Alex Pineda Chacón, Miami
Colombia Diego Serna, Miami
Scotland John Spencer, Colorado
2002
[2]
United States Tim Howard, MetroStars (2) United States Wade Barrett, San Jose
United States Carlos Bocanegra, Chicago
United States Alexi Lalas, LA Galaxy
United States Mark Chung, Colorado (2)
Denmark Ronnie Ekelund, San Jose
Colombia Óscar Pareja, Dallas
United States Steve Ralston, New England (3)
United States Jeff Cunningham, Columbus
Guatemala Carlos Ruiz, LA Galaxy
United States Taylor Twellman, New England
2003
[2]
Canada Pat Onstad, San Jose United States Carlos Bocanegra, Chicago (2)
New Zealand Ryan Nelsen, D.C. United
United States Eddie Pope, MetroStars (3)
United States Chris Armas, Chicago (5)
United States DaMarcus Beasley, Chicago
United States Mark Chung, Colorado (3)
United States Landon Donovan, San Jose
United States Preki, Kansas City (4)
United States Ante Razov, Chicago
Scotland John Spencer, Colorado (2)
2004
[2]
United States Joe Cannon, Colorado United States Jimmy Conrad, Kansas City
United States Robin Fraser, Columbus (5)
New Zealand Ryan Nelsen, D.C. United (2)
United States Eddie Pope, MetroStars (4)
United States Eddie Gaven, MetroStars
Honduras Amado Guevara, MetroStars
Republic of Ireland Ronnie O'Brien, Dallas
United States Kerry Zavagnin, Kansas City
United States Brian Ching, San Jose
Bolivia Jaime Moreno, D.C. United (3)
2005
[2]
Canada Pat Onstad, San Jose (2) United States Chris Albright, LA Galaxy
United States Danny Califf, San Jose
United States Jimmy Conrad, Kansas City (2)
United States Clint Dempsey, New England
Canada Dwayne De Rosario, San Jose
Argentina Christian Gómez, D.C. United
Grenada Shalrie Joseph, New England
Republic of Ireland Ronnie O'Brien, Dallas (2)
Bolivia Jaime Moreno, D.C. United (4)
United States Taylor Twellman, New England (2)
2006
[2]
United States Troy Perkins, D.C. United United States Bobby Boswell, D.C. United
United States José Burciaga Jr., Kansas City
United States Jimmy Conrad, Kansas City (3)
United States Ricardo Clark, Houston
United States Clint Dempsey, New England (2)
Canada Dwayne De Rosario, Houston (2)
Argentina Christian Gómez, D.C. United (2)
United States Justin Mapp, Chicago
United States Jeff Cunningham, Salt Lake (2)
Bolivia Jaime Moreno, D.C. United (5)
2007
[3]
United States Brad Guzan, Chivas USA United States Jonathan Bornstein, Chivas USA
United States Michael Parkhurst, New England
United States Eddie Robinson, Houston
Argentina Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus
Canada Dwayne De Rosario, Houston (3)
Argentina Christian Gómez, D.C. United (3)
Grenada Shalrie Joseph, New England (2)
United States Ben Olsen, D.C. United
Colombia Juan Pablo Angel, Red Bulls
Brazil Luciano Emílio, D.C. United
2008
[2]
United States Jon Busch, Chicago United States Jimmy Conrad, Kansas City (4)
United States Chad Marshall, Columbus
Mali Bakary Soumaré, Chicago
Mexico Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Chicago
Grenada Shalrie Joseph, New England (3)
United States Sacha Kljestan, Chivas USA
United States Robbie Rogers, Columbus
Argentina Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus (2)
United States Kenny Cooper, Dallas
United States Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy (2)
2009
[2]
United States Zach Thornton, Chivas USA (2) United States Geoff Cameron, Houston
Colombia Wilman Conde, Chicago
United States Chad Marshall, Columbus (2)
Canada Dwayne De Rosario, Toronto (4)
United States Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy (3)
United States Stuart Holden, Houston
Grenada Shalrie Joseph, New England (4)
Sweden Freddie Ljungberg, Seattle
United States Conor Casey, Colorado
United States Jeff Cunningham, Dallas (3)
2010
[2]
Jamaica Donovan Ricketts, LA Galaxy United States Nat Borchers, Salt Lake
United States Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy
Colombia Jámison Olave, Salt Lake
Canada Dwayne De Rosario, Toronto (5)
United States Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy (4)
Colombia David Ferreira, Dallas
France Sébastien Le Toux, Philadelphia
Argentina Javier Morales, Salt Lake
United States Edson Buddle, LA Galaxy
United States Chris Wondolowski, San Jose
2011
[2]
United States Kasey Keller, Seattle United States Todd Dunivant, LA Galaxy
United States Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy (2)
Colombia Jámison Olave, Salt Lake (2)
England David Beckham, LA Galaxy
United States Brad Davis, Houston
Canada Dwayne De Rosario, D.C. United (6)
United States Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy (5)
United States Brek Shea, Dallas
France Thierry Henry, Red Bulls
United States Chris Wondolowski, San Jose (2)
2012
[2]
Denmark Jimmy Nielsen, Sporting KC Honduras Víctor Bernárdez, San Jose
United States Matt Besler, Sporting KC
France Aurélien Collin, Sporting KC
Cuba Osvaldo Alonso, Seattle
United States Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy (6)
United States Chris Pontius, D.C. United
United States Graham Zusi, Sporting KC
France Thierry Henry, Red Bulls (2)
Republic of Ireland Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy
United States Chris Wondolowski, San Jose (3)
2013
[2]
Jamaica Donovan Ricketts, Portland (2) United States Matt Besler, Sporting KC (2)
Portugal José Gonçalves, New England
United States Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy (3)
Australia Tim Cahill, Red Bulls
Canada Will Johnson, Portland
Argentina Diego Valeri, Portland
United States Graham Zusi, Sporting KC (2)
Italy Marco Di Vaio, Montreal
Republic of Ireland Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy (2)
United States Mike Magee, Chicago
2014
[2]
United States Bill Hamid, D.C. United United States Bobby Boswell, D.C. United (2)
United States Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy (4)
United States Chad Marshall, Seattle (3)
United States Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy (7)
France Thierry Henry, Red Bulls (3)
United States Lee Nguyen, New England
Argentina Diego Valeri, Portland (2)
Republic of Ireland Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy (3)
Nigeria Obafemi Martins, Seattle
England Bradley Wright-Phillips, Red Bulls
2015
[2]
United States Luis Robles, Red Bulls Belgium Laurent Ciman, Montreal
United States Matt Hedges, Dallas
Costa Rica Kendall Waston, Vancouver
Colombia Fabián Castillo, Dallas
United States Benny Feilhaber, Sporting KC
United States Ethan Finlay, Columbus
United States Dax McCarty, Red Bulls
Italy Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto
Sierra Leone Kei Kamara, Columbus
Republic of Ireland Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy (4)
2016
[2]
Jamaica Andre Blake, Philadelphia United States Matt Hedges, Dallas (2)
Sweden Axel Sjöberg, Colorado
Belgium Jelle Van Damme, LA Galaxy
Argentina Mauro Díaz, Dallas
Mexico Giovani dos Santos, LA Galaxy
United States Sacha Kljestan, Red Bulls (2)
Argentina Ignacio Piatti, Montreal
Italy Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto (2)
Spain David Villa, New York City
England Bradley Wright-Phillips, Red Bulls (2)
2017
[2]
United States Tim Melia, Sporting KC United States Justin Morrow, Toronto
United States Ike Opara, Sporting KC
Costa Rica Kendall Waston, Vancouver (2)
Paraguay Miguel Almirón, Atlanta
Italy Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto (3)
Argentina Diego Valeri, Portland (3)
Spain Víctor Vázquez, Toronto
Venezuela Josef Martínez, Atlanta
Hungary Nemanja Nikolić, Chicago
Spain David Villa, New York City (2)
2018
[2]
United States Zack Steffen, Columbus Jamaica Kemar Lawrence, Red Bulls
United States Aaron Long, Red Bulls
United States Chad Marshall, Seattle (4)
Argentina Luciano Acosta, D.C. United
Paraguay Miguel Almirón, Atlanta (2)
Argentina Ignacio Piatti, Montreal (2)
Mexico Carlos Vela, LAFC
Sweden Zlatan Ibrahimović, LA Galaxy
Venezuela Josef Martínez, Atlanta (2)
England Wayne Rooney, D.C. United
2019
[2]
Italy Vito Mannone, Minnesota United States Ike Opara, Minnesota (2)
United States Miles Robinson, Atlanta
United States Walker Zimmerman, LAFC
Colombia Eduard Atuesta, LAFC
Spain Carles Gil, New England
Argentina Maximiliano Moralez, New York City
Spain Alejandro Pozuelo, Toronto
Sweden Zlatan Ibrahimović, LA Galaxy (2)
Venezuela Josef Martínez, Atlanta (3)
Mexico Carlos Vela, LAFC (2)
2020
[2]
Jamaica Andre Blake, Philadelphia (2) United States Mark McKenzie, Philadelphia
Ghana Jonathan Mensah, Columbus
United States Walker Zimmerman, Nashville (2)
United States Brenden Aaronson, Philadelphia
Colombia Diego Chará, Portland
Uruguay Nicolás Lodeiro, Seattle
Spain Alejandro Pozuelo, Toronto (2)
United States Jordan Morris, Seattle
Uruguay Diego Rossi, LAFC
Peru Raúl Ruidíaz, Seattle
2021
[4]
United States Matt Turner, New England Colombia Yeimar Gómez, Seattle
United States Miles Robinson, Atlanta (2)
United States Walker Zimmerman, Nashville (3)
Canada Tajon Buchanan, New England
Spain Carles Gil, New England (2)
Germany Hany Mukhtar, Nashville
Brazil João Paulo, Seattle
Argentina Gustavo Bou, New England
Argentina Taty Castellanos, New York City
Peru Raúl Ruidíaz, Seattle (2)
2022
[5]
Jamaica Andre Blake, Philadelphia (3) Norway Jakob Glesnes, Philadelphia
Germany Kai Wagner, Philadelphia
United States Walker Zimmerman, Nashville (4)
Argentina Luciano Acosta, Cincinnati (2)
Argentina Sebastián Driussi, Austin
Hungary Dániel Gazdag, Philadelphia
Germany Hany Mukhtar, Nashville (2)
United States Jesús Ferreira, Dallas
United States Brandon Vázquez, Cincinnati
Mexico Carlos Vela, LAFC (3)
2023
[6]
Switzerland Roman Bürki, St. Louis United States Matt Miazga, Cincinnati
United States Tim Parker, St. Louis
United States Walker Zimmerman, Nashville (5)
Argentina Luciano Acosta, Cincinnati (3)
Argentina Thiago Almada, Atlanta
Mexico Héctor Herrera, Houston
Germany Hany Mukhtar, Nashville (3)
Gabon Denis Bouanga, LAFC
Greece Giorgos Giakoumakis, Atlanta
Colombia Cucho Hernández, Columbus

Appearances by player

With seven appearances, Landon Donovan has the most selections to the MLS Best XI

The following players have appeared in the MLS Best XI two or more times.

Updated as of the conclusion of the 2023 MLS season.

^ Denotes players who are still active in Major League Soccer
* Denotes players who are still active outside of Major League Soccer
Inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame as a player
Year
(bold text)
Indicates the player won the MVP Award
Year
(italicized text)
Indicates the player won the MLS Defender of the Year Award
MLS Best XI appearances
Player Apps Pos Years Club(s)
Landon Donovan 7 M/F 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 San Jose Earthquakes (1), LA Galaxy (6)
Dwayne De Rosario 6 M 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 San Jose Earthquakes (1), Houston Dynamo (2), Toronto FC (2), D.C. United (1)
Chris Armas 5 M 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 Chicago Fire (5)
Robin Fraser 5 D 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004 LA Galaxy (4), Columbus Crew (1)
Jaime Moreno 5 F 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006 D.C. United (5)
Walker Zimmerman^ 5 D 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 LAFC (1), Nashville SC (4)
Jimmy Conrad 4 D 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 Kansas City Wizards (4)
Marco Etcheverry 4 M 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 D.C. United (4)
Omar Gonzalez^ 4 D 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 LA Galaxy (4)
Shalrie Joseph 4 M 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 New England Revolution (4)
Robbie Keane 4 F 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 LA Galaxy (4)
Chad Marshall 4 D 2008, 2009, 2014, 2018 Columbus Crew (2), Seattle Sounders FC (2)
Eddie Pope 4 D 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004 D.C. United (2), MetroStars (2)
Preki 4 M 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003 Kansas City Wizards (3), Miami Fusion (1)
Jeff Agoos 3 D 1997, 1999, 2001 D.C. United (2), San Jose Earthquakes (1)
Andre Blake^ 3 GK 2016, 2020, 2022 Philadelphia Union (3)
Mark Chung 3 M 1997, 2002, 2003 Colorado Rapids (3)
Mauricio Cienfuegos 3 M 1996, 1998, 1999 LA Galaxy (3)
Jeff Cunningham 3 F 2002, 2006, 2009 Columbus Crew (1), Real Salt Lake (1),
FC Dallas (1)
Sebastian Giovinco 3 F 2015, 2016, 2017 Toronto FC (3)
Christian Gómez 3 M 2005, 2006, 2007 D.C. United (3)
Thierry Henry 3 F 2011, 2012, 2014 N.Y. Red Bulls (3)
Josef Martínez^ 3 F 2017, 2018, 2019 Atlanta United FC (3)
Hany Mukhtar^ 3 M 2021, 2022, 2023 Nashville SC (3)
Piotr Nowak 3 M 1998, 2000, 2001 Chicago Fire (3)
Steve Ralston 3 M 1999, 2000, 2002 Tampa Bay Mutiny (2), New England Revolution (1)
Carlos Valderrama 3 M 1996, 1997, 2000 Tampa Bay Mutiny (3)
Diego Valeri 3 M 2013, 2014, 2017 Portland Timbers (3)
Carlos Vela^ 3 M/F 2018, 2019, 2022 LAFC (3)
Chris Wondolowski 3 M 2010, 2011, 2012 San Jose Earthquakes (3)
Luciano Acosta^ 3 M 2018, 2022, 2023 D.C. United (1) FC Cincinnati (2)
Miguel Almirón* 2 M 2017, 2018 Atlanta United FC (2)
Guillermo Barros Schelotto 2 M 2007, 2008 Columbus Crew (2)
Matt Besler 2 D 2012, 2013 Sporting Kansas City (2)
Carlos Bocanegra 2 D 2002, 2003 Chicago Fires SC (2)
Bobby Boswell 2 D 2006, 2014 D.C. United (2)
Clint Dempsey 2 M 2005, 2006 New England Revolution (2)
Thomas Dooley 2 D 1997, 1998 Columbus Crew (2)
Carles Gil^ 2 M 2019, 2022 New England Revolution (2)
Matt Hedges^ 2 D 2015, 2016 FC Dallas (2)
Tim Howard 2 GK 2001, 2002 MetroStars (2)
Zlatan Ibrahimović 2 F 2018, 2019 LA Galaxy (2)
Sacha Kljestan 2 M 2008, 2016 Chivas USA (1), New York Red Bulls (1)
Luboš Kubík 2 D 1998, 1999 Chicago Fire SC (2)
Ryan Nelsen 2 D 2003, 2004 D.C. United (2)
Ronnie O'Brien 2 M 2004, 2005 Dallas Burn\FC Dallas (2)
Jámison Olave 2 D 2010, 2011 Real Salt Lake (2)
Pat Onstad 2 GK 2003, 2005 San Jose Earthquakes (2)
Ike Opara 2 D 2017, 2019 Sporting Kansas City (1), Minnesota United FC (1)
Ignacio Piatti 2 M 2016, 2018 Montréal Impact (2)
Alejandro Pozuelo* 2 M 2019, 2020 Toronto FC (2)
Donovan Ricketts 2 GK 2010, 2013 LA Galaxy (1), Portland Timbers (1)
Miles Robinson^ 2 D 2019, 2021 Atlanta United FC (2)
Raúl Ruidíaz^ 2 F 2020, 2021 Seattle Sounders FC (2)
John Spencer 2 F 2001, 2003 Colorado Rapids (2)
Zach Thornton 2 GK 1998, 2009 Chicago Fire SC (1), Chivas USA (1)
Taylor Twellman 2 F 2002, 2005 New England Revolution (2)
Greg Vanney 2 D 2000, 2001 LA Galaxy (2)
David Villa 2 F 2016, 2017 New York City FC (2)
Kendall Waston* 2 D 2015, 2017 Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2)
Bradley Wright-Phillips 2 F 2014, 2016 New York Red Bulls (2)
Graham Zusi^ 2 M 2012, 2013 Sporting Kansas City (2)

Appearances by team

Updated as of the conclusion of the 2023 MLS season.

Club Apps
LA Galaxy 37
D.C. United 28
Chicago Fire 23
Kansas City Wiz/Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City 22
NY/NJ MetroStars/MetroStars/New York Red Bulls 20
New England Revolution 17
Columbus Crew 16
San Jose Clash/Earthquakes 16
Dallas Burn/FC Dallas 15
Seattle Sounders FC 12
Philadelphia Union 9
Toronto FC 9
Atlanta United FC 8
Houston Dynamo 8
Colorado Rapids 7
Los Angeles FC 7
Nashville SC 7
Tampa Bay Mutiny 7
Portland Timbers 6
Miami Fusion 5
Real Salt Lake 5
Chivas USA 4
FC Cincinnati 4
Montreal Impact/CF Montréal 4
New York City FC 4
Minnesota United FC 2
St. Louis City SC 2
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Austin FC 1

Appearances by nationality

Updated as of the conclusion of the 2023 MLS season.

Nationality Apps
  United States 149
  Argentina 20
  Colombia 16
  Canada 10
  Bolivia 9
  Spain 7
  Ireland 6
  Italy 6
  Jamaica 6
  Mexico 6
  France 5
  El Salvador 4
  England 4
  Germany 4
  Grenada 4
  Sweden 4
  Honduras 3
  Poland 3
  Scotland 3
  Venezuela 3
  Brazil 2
  Belgium 2
  Czech Republic 2
  Costa Rica 2
  Denmark 2
  Hungary 2
  New Zealand 2
  Paraguay 2
  Peru 2
  Uruguay 2
  Australia 1
  Bulgaria 1
  Cuba 1
  Ecuador 1
  Gabon 1
  Ghana 1
  Greece 1
  Guatemala 1
  Mali 1
  Nigeria 1
  Norway 1
  Portugal 1
  Senegal 1
  Sierra Leone 1
  Switzerland 1
  Trinidad and Tobago 1

See also

References

  1. ^ "2022 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". Major League Soccer. November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "MLS Fact and Record Book". Major League Soccer. p. 163. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "MLS announces 2007 Best XI". MLSnet.com. November 17, 2007. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008.
  4. ^ "Major League Soccer's 2021 Best XI Announced". Major League Soccer. December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  5. ^ "2022 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". Major League Soccer. November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  6. ^ "2023 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire". Major League Soccer. November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.