Getty ImagesSporting KC keeper Jimmy Nielsen, left, and San Jose's Chris Wondolowski were at their best

The number 11 has all sorts of meaningful connotations. Some consider it lucky, while to the esteemed philosopher Nigel Tufnel, it's simply "one louder". But in MLS parlance, the Best XI represents those players deemed to be tops in the league.

MLS bases its selections on a 3-4-3 formation. Here, a 4-4-2 is the preferred choice since no team employed a three-man backline except under the most desperate circumstances. While that means excluding a forward - and there were more than a few deserving candidates - it will mean a couple outside backs will get some deserved praise. Here are those MLS players whose performances went to 11:


GOALKEEPER

Jimmy Nielsen, Sporting Kansas City: Consistency and durability count for something; otherwise Seattle’s Michael Gspurning – who missed a third of the season with a right hip injury – would have gotten more consideration. Nielsen played every minute of every game for SKC, led the league in shutouts (15) and his steady and at times spectacular shot-stopping helped Kansas City to the best defensive record in the league.


LEFT BACK

Gonzalo Segares, Chicago Fire: An attempt has been made to stay true to the 4-4-2, so rather than lump in a third center back here, a true left back has been chosen. To be fair, no candidate really jumped out, but Segares was deemed to have the best combination of steady defending as well as being a threat to get forward and contribute to the attack.


CENTER BACKS

Matt Besler, Sporting Kansas City: Besler’s understated defending deservedly made him the league’s Defender of the Year. But there was more to his game than just defense. According to OPTA, Besler’s pass completion rate of 82 percent was among the best in the league, and his 18 chances created (as measured by a pass leading directly to a shot) was way ahead of the other contenders.

Nat Borchers, Real Salt Lake: On a team that had a glut of injuries at center back, Borchers was one of the few constants. His tactical nous often goes unnoticed, but his ability to organize and sense danger helped RSL to the third-best defensive record in the league. His ridiculous passing percentage of 89.6 was also a boon to Real’s possession game.

 

RIGHT BACK

Young-Pyo Lee, Vancouver Whitecaps: The ageless Lee – he’ll turn 36 next April – proved to be a welcome addition to the Caps. Not only did the veteran of three World Cups defend his side will skill and tenacity, but his ability to get forward added an important element to a Vancouver attack that oftentimes struggled to score. His efforts, combined with those of DeMerit, helped the Whitecaps concede 14 fewer goals than last year.

LEFT MIDFIELD

Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy: For a guy who admitted his passion for the game wasn’t what it once was, Donovan still delivered the goods, scoring nine goals with 14 assists. Granted, his numbers benefited from at times lining up as a forward alongside Robbie Keane, but Donovan’s ability to punish teams on the break remains lethal.

CENTER MIDFIELD

Osvaldo Alonso, Seattle Sounders: Alonso is as pure a ball-winner as there is in MLS. His 134 regular-season tackles practically lapped the field, and he was a key element to Seattle having the second-best defensive record in the league. He also proved adept at linking defense to attack, completing 85.1 percent of his passes.

Dax McCarty, New York Red Bulls: The Red Bulls were a mess. Again. But no blame could be laid at the feet of McCarty, who stepped into a holding role when Teemu Tainio was injured and delivered some superb performances. In fact, it could be argued the team's balance was compromised when now former manager Hans Backe moved McCarty out wide. That said, it proved to be a year where the seven-year veteran moved into the league’s elite.

RIGHT MIDFIELD

Graham Zusi, Sporting Kansas City: If 2011 was Zusi’s breakout season, then 2012 was a year when he entered the conversation for league MVP, with five goals and a league-leading 15 assists. Zusi’s defensive efforts proved critical as well, especially given the high-pressure tactics employed by manager Peter Vermes. With Zusi excelling at international level as well, it was a year to remember for the University of Maryland product.

FORWARDS

Chris Wondolowski, San Jose Earthquakes: If Wondolowski doesn’t win the league’s MVP award next week, it will rank as a colossal upset. He put together one of the best seasons by a striker in MLS history. Not only did his 27 goals tie Roy Lassiter’s record, but Wondolowski’s link play improved as well, as his seven assists equaled his total from the previous seven years combined.

Robbie Keane, Los Angeles Galaxy: Had the regular season lasted another month, Keane may very well have made more of a run at Wondolowski. As it stands, Keane’s 16 goals and nine assists proved to be a more than acceptable return, with 12 of his scores coming after July 4. More importantly, his contributions helped turn around the Galaxy’s season after the reigning champs stumbled out of the gate with a 3-8-2 record. Now, thanks in part to his five playoff goals, a second consecutive MLS Cup is within the team’s grasp.

ESPN soccer columnist Jeff Carlisle is on twitter at @jeffreycarlisle.

 

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