The Los Angeles Galaxy, who had the best record in Major League Soccer, unsurprisingly dominate the MLS Best XI announced by the league on Tuesday afternoon.
The Supporters’ Shield winners boast four players—winger Landon Donovan, center back Omar Gonzalez, striker Edson Buddle and MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Donovan Ricketts—on the list of the top 11 players, as voted by the media and their peers.
Donovan and Toronto FC midfielder Dwayne De Rosario are the only players on the list who have ever been named to the Best XI before.
Defending MLS Cup champions Real Salt Lake have the second most names on the list. Three RSL players—Visa Defender of the Year Jamison Olave, defender Nat Borchers and midfielder Javier Morales—were named to the Best XI.
The only member of the Best XI still playing is David Ferreira, the attacking leader of FC Dallas, who will take on the Colorado Rapids in MLS Cup (Sunday, Nov. 21, 8:30 pm ET, ESPN, Galavisión)
2010 MLS Best XI
- Donovan Ricketts, LA Galaxy: The Jamaican goalkeeper started 29 matches in 2010, posting a 18-7-4 record with 11 shutouts and a .90 goals-against average, good for third best in the league.
- Jámison Olave, Real Salt Lake: The big Colombian center back led the RSL defense to a new record for fewest goals scored in a season (20), and he added three goals at the other end.
- Nat Borchers, Real Salt Lake: The American missed only 27 minutes all season long. He also scored two goals, including a stoppage-time header to save a point against rivals Colorado.
- Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy: Last year’s Rookie of the Year was even better in 2010, leading the league’s second-stingiest defense (26 goals against). He also notched two goals.
- Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy: The US international led the league in assists (16) for the first time in his career. He also hit seven goals of his own. This is his fourth Best XI nod.
- David Ferreira, FC Dallas: The Colombian playmaker scored eight goals and dished out 13 assists, second-most in the league. Despite being the most fouled player in MLS, he played all but one minute of the regular season.
- Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake: The Argentine No. 10 had another balanced season, hitting seven goals and posting nine assists, leading the league’s most prolific attack.
- Sebastien Le Toux, Philadelphia Union: A breakout season by the French attacker made the expansion side competitive from the start. Winner of the Fair Play Award, he finished with 14 goals and 11 assists, accounting for 71 percent of Philadelphia’s scoring.
- Dwayne De Rosario, Toronto FC: Always dangerous, the Canadian international hit 15 goals for the Reds, including five match-winners. This is his fifth Best XI nod, tying him with Chris Armas and Jaime Moreno for most all-time.
- Chris Wondolowski, San Jose Earthquakes: The previously unheralded striker exploded for six goals in the final four games to take the Golden Boot with 18 total goals. Nine of them were game-winning goals, helping the Quakes reach the playoffs for the first time since reforming in 2008.
- Edson Buddle, LA Galaxy: The US international scored nine goals in the first six games, earning himself a spot on the World Cup team. He finished with 17 goals, good for second in the Golden Boot race.
