2017 MLS Best XI

MLS Player of the Year +

Chris Wondolowski, Helltown Beer Major League Soccer Player of the Year. 2012.

I've rated Wondolowski as the best player in MLS due, in part, to the following reasons:

1. Chris played 92% of all available minutes for Supporters' Shield winner, San Jose Earthquakes. 1a. His 2012 aggregate goal total of 27 equals that of Roy Lassiter's 1996 league record.

2. Best in the league; Goals + Assists (22 G without 5 PKs + 7 A).

3. 2nd in MLS; Goals p90 minutes 0.70 (no PKs, >900 mins). 2nd only to teammate Alan Gordon.

4. 1st in SOG p90 (1.76), 3rd in total shots p90 (42.6% on frame).

5. Within the parameters of my player rating model - Chris floated to number one on April 23, 2012 and never let it go.

Chris was the leader of a San Jose team that adopted the "Goonies never say die" mantra this year. Head Coach Frank Yallop has successfully brought a English style of soccer to MLS and Wondo, with his savviness around the goal and exceptional movement, has really benefited from it. San Jose scored 2.12 goals per game this year, a solid third goal above the next best in the league.

One of the more memorable moments for me this year was when John Terry, possibly the best English defender in a generation - complimented Wondo when he faced him during the 2012 MLS All-Star game (around the 17:40 min mark of that link).

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Last year's winner was Todd Dunivant, LA Galaxy. Todd finished 53rd on my list this year, missing 17% of possible minutes due to injury early on. It's notable that without both Dunivant and Gonzalez early in the year the Galaxy struggled. After finding themselves near the bottom of the table for the first quarter of the year, LA managed to finish the season 8th overall and 4th in the West. Due, in large part, to Todd Dunivant getting healthy.

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HELLTOWN MLS BEST XI
This is all based on the player rating model I created at the beginning of the 2011 season. If you have questions you can email me: ljbaby654@gmail.com

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Jimmy Nielsen, SKC

TOP MLS DEFENDERS
Steven Beitashour, SJE
Justin Morrow, SJE
Brandon McDonald, DCU
Matt Besler, SKC

TOP MLS MIDFIELDERS
Kei Kamara, SKC
Graham Zusi, SKC
Eddie Gaven, CREW
Dax McCarty, NYR

TOP FORWARDS
Chris Wondolowski, SJE
Fredy Montero, SEA

(My other top players can be found on the right)

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Note: Positions are as classified by "Stats, Inc".

MLS best XI whooped Man Utd. yesterday

I hear that having the best players doesn't mean you have a good team. It is fun playing around with the line-ups and trying to find the best formation in FIFA 11. Also satisfying to put my player ranking model to the test in this way.

I put the team together just pulling from the top 50 from my player rating list. The line up in the image is the one that worked out best for me.

Biggest digital them surprise after playing a few games? How strong the defensive 4 are. Nice work Captain Marshall. The other surprise? Wondo in this game. He's good.UPDATE: MLS FIRST XI announced. Players with links on the right made that team. My understanding is that the final full team list will be released next Monday.

Players selected to First XI not in my top 50, Rank on left:

54:Chris Wondolowski
119:Tim Ream
196: Rafa Marquez