I know I'm a little late to the party on this, but I was on vacation during MLS Cup week, and it's been a bit tough to get back into the swing of all things footy given the tough recent run of RSL news. Nevertheless, I know you've all been waiting with great anticipation to see who I will name to the prestigious "Puddle on the Pitch MLS Best XI." So....here we go:
GOALKEEPER: Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake.
I thought this was a no brainer. Obviously MLS didn't agree with me. Still, I don't think you can discount the year that Rimando had. He's consistently one of the top 2-3 GKs in MLS year in and year out, and he pulled RSL from the fire more than a few times this year, racking up quite a few "saves of the week" along the away.
DEFENDERS: Chris Klute, Colorado Rapids. Jose Goncalves, New England Revolution. Omar Gonzalez, L.A. Galaxy. Tony Beltran, Real Salt Lake.
I don't hold any truck with three at the back, so I'm sticking with the traditional back four. For my money, Klute and Beltran are the two best, most exciting FBs, defending well and getting in on the offense. Klute's stock is just going to go up, I promise you. At CB, I have zero issue with Goncalves as Defender of the Year, as he was a rock for the Revs all season. Still, I always take Omar as my first choice CB in MLS circles, and he was rightly rewarded with the DP deal this year.
MIDFIELDERS: Graham Zusi, Sporting Kansas City. Dax McCarty, New York Red Bulls. Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers. Kyle Beckerman, Real Salt Lake.
So these choices might look a little odd to you, but I have my reasons. Zusi is obvious, as he is one of the best, most influential MFs in the league right now and I'd love to have him taking my set pieces. McCarty is the beating heart of that Red Bulls team, and I'm not sure that there is anyone who plays harder in the league than he does. Diego Valeri is very deserving of the recognition he's gotten, and he sets the Timbers up for a long time to come. Of course, for me Kyle Beckerman is the bedrock of RSL and the best CDM in the league. If he played in NY or Portland, he'd get the recognition that he deserves.
FORWARDS: Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy. Camilo, Vancouver Whitecaps.
Robbie Keane is still the most dangerous attacker in the league in my mind, and had a hell of a year again for the Galaxy. I don't know if he could still do it in Europe, but he is still torching MLS, and that's a fact. As for Camilo, he nearly carried the Whitecaps into the playoffs by himself. Despite the fact that defenses continued to key in on him, he continued to score goals. I think he'll continue to be a huge rising star in MLS.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
GK--Jimmy Nielsen, Sporting Kansas City
DF--Matt Besler, Sporting Kansas City, Jamison Olave, New York Red Bulls, Seth Sinovic, Sporting Kansas City, Sean Franklin, LA Galaxy.
MF--Osvaldo Alonso, Seattle Sounders. Brad Evans, Seattle Sounders. Will Johnson, Portland Timbers, Dillon Powers, Colorado Rapids
F--Mike Magee, Chicago Fire, Alvaro Saborio, RSL.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Dillon Powers, Colorado Rapids
MVP: Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy
COACH OF THE YEAR: Oscar Pareja, Colorado Rapids
Puddle's Surprise Team of the Season: Portland Timbers
Puddle's Flop Team of the Season: DC United.
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