All-Timers reflect on first 10 seasons

Major League Soccer unveiled its RadioShack All-Time Best XI on Friday at the Verizon Wireless Club at Pizza Hut Park as part of the buildup to Sunday's MLS Cup, announced as part of the league's 10th season celebration.


There were two forwards (Jaime Moreno and Brian McBride), five midifelders (Preki, Peter Nowak, Valderrama, Landon Donovan and Marco Etcheverry), three defenders (Pope, Jeff Agoos and Marcelo Balboa) and a goalkeeper (Tony Meola) chosen by online fan ballots, current coaches/GMs and media.


Representatives of the U.S. national teams of past, present and future dominated the select group, with seven American veterans getting the nod. Pioneers from the earliest days of the U.S. team's resurgence, such as defenders Agoos and Balboa received just recognition for their part in the advancement of soccer in the U.S.


"I'm very humbled not just to be nominated, but to be selected for it," said Agoos, who spent last season with the MetroStars. "With the number of great players in this league who have been here throughout the 10 years, it is quite an honor to be selected. I'm overwhelmed with the selection."


The 11 men selected have combined to win 21 MLS Cup championships, with five-time winner Agoos leading the way. He is also one of the five members of the RadioShack All-Time Best XI to have played in all 10 MLS seasons. Agoos could be back looking for his sixth ring next season.


"That's more up to New York than it is to me, at this point," he said of his future with the MetroStars. "I know they are getting the house in order now. They just hired head coach. I think they made a great selection with Mo [Johnston]. My contract is up in December like everybody else and we'll see what happens at that point."


But the naming of the RadioShack All-Time Best XI was more a celebration of the past than a look forward. The players used the opportunity to look back at their own careers, as well as those around them.


"It's an honor to be in the likes of all these guys -- Etcheverry, Moreno, Preki, Agoos, who I played with on the national team, Eddie Pope, Tony Meola," said Balboa. "It always means something special, because soccer is not an individual sport. Going into the [National Soccer] Hall of Fame with John Harkes and Tab Ramos was very special because they were teammates and we all played together. Same with here. I didn't play with a lot of these guys in club soccer, but with the national team we either played with them or against them, so for me to go into it with such a cream of the crop group was an honor."


Having captured four of the league's first 10 championships, it comes as no surprise that D.C. United players -- or those that at one time played for D.C. United, and in one case is their current head coach -- comprised a big part of the squad. Legendary playmaker Marco "El Diablo" Etcheverry led the pack.


"It's a very nice feeling, because when I came here the first time in 1996, I was thinking [I wanted] to build soccer here," he said.


The left-footed playmaker was also happy to have received the honor with his long-time D.C. United teammate and countryman Jaime Moreno.


"We are like brothers," he said. "We are so happy because we came here with the mentality to help this league."


And though their paths never crossed at D.C. United, current head coach of the Black-and-Red and former Chicago Fire midfield general Peter Nowak shared in Etcheverry's excitement and pride in helping to build up the league, while also acknowledging his many teammates who helped him succeed along the way.


"It's an honor to be in a group like that," he said. "I think every one of us helped put a piece in this league and the players' mentality to develop. You cannot forget a lot of players did the same job, it's just that we were more visible. Without them, I would not have been such a successful player. I think we all did our part to make this league better."


Eight of the recipients in attendance to receive their accolades. Absent from the proceedings were Colombian midfield legend Carlos Valderrama, who stayed in his native land to attend to personal business, and Real Salt Lake defender Eddie Pope, who is working to recover from a slight injury. In addition, Brian McBride remained in England where he plays Fulham FC, called into the U.S. national team's match against Scotland, though an injury will keep him out.


Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.