Best XI Recognizes League’s Top Players at Each Position.
RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Osvaldo Alonso has been named to the 2012 MLS Best XI, it was announced today by Commissioner Don Garber. The Best XI recognizes the League’s top 11 players on the field – one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders and two forwards.
Garber disclosed the Best XI during his annual State of the League address. Alonso earned his first Best XI honors along with seven other players, and Sporting Kansas City led all teams with four players selected.
Alonso, 27, continued to cement himself as the league’s top defensive midfielder this season. The tenacious ballwinnner helped anchor one of the league’s top defenses, which allowed the second-fewest goals in MLS (33), the second-fewest shots on goal (122) and recorded the third-most shutouts (12). With 2,688 minutes played, Alonso led all Seattle field players for the second consecutive season. He also scored one goal and two assists in league play, and added four goals and three assists in outside competitions.
“I’m feeling so good,” said Alonso. “I think I did a good job this year playing for my team, being an All-Star and now Best XI, so I’m feeling happy and I enjoy this moment.”
Alonso was named to the 2012 MLS All-Star team, his second straight selection. He was also named to the MLS Team of the Week a team-high four times, and earned the U.S. Open Cup Player of the Tournament honors.
Alonso became the third Seattle player to earn MLS Best XI honors, joining midfielder Freddie Ljungberg in 2009 and goalkeeper Kasey Keller in 2011.
The Best XI members received the most votes from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers.
Below is a breakdown of the MLS Best XI by position and in alphabetical order:
2012 MLS Best XI:
GOALKEEPER (1): Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting Kansas City)
DEFENDERS (3): Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Aurelien Collin (Sporting Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (4): Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders FC), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (2): Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
