Retiring stars Landon Donovan and Thierry Henry capped their careers by securing a place in the MLS Best XI unveiled on Tuesday.
Donovan and Henry lent their cachet to the select side after excelling during their final campaigns in MLS. Donovan recovered from his omission from the U.S. squad for the World Cup to spark the Galaxy in the second half of the season and secure his record seventh Best XI selection. Henry wrapped up his influential spell in New York with another glittering campaign for the Red Bulls.
MVP candidates Robbie Keane, Obafemi Martins and Lee Nguyen all took their expected places in the 3-4-3 setup. MLS will reveal the winner of the award on Wednesday.
Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips missed out on a place on the three-man MVP shortlist, but he landed a Best XI place after tying the MLS single-season record by scoring 27 goals.
Wright-Phillips joined Keane and Martins in the three-man front line, while Portland schemer Diego Valeri complemented Donovan, Henry and Nguyen in the center of the park.
MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall formed the bedrock of rearguard with D.C. United defender Bobby Boswell and Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez also included in the ranks.
United goalkeeper Bill Hamid earned his first Best XI nod and rounded out the side by taking up the lone place in goal. Hamid is one of four players to feature for the first time alongside Martins, Nguyen and Wright-Phillips.
MLS Best XI
Goalkeeper: Bill Hamid (D.C. United – first selection)
Defenders: Bobby Boswell (D.C. United – second selection), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy – fourth selection), Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders FC – third selection)
Midfielders: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy – seventh selection), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls – third selection), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution – first selection), Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers – second selection)
Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy – third selection), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders FC – first selection), Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls – first selection)
