Beckham and Henry on MLS Best XI for the 1st time
Major League Soccer has announced its annual Best XI selection for the 2011 season.
Among this year's inclusions are MLS Cup finalists Todd Dunivant, Omar Gonzalez, David Beckham and Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy and Brad Davis of the Houston Dynamo.
Unveiled during MLS Commissioner Don Garber's State of the League conference call, special recognition was given to the Galaxy's Gonzalez, who was recently named MLS Defender of the Year.
"A guy that we believe deserves some more call ups [to the U.S. national team] but had a great season in MLS with the Galaxy," said Garber of the 23-year-old.
All three candidates for this year's MVP award are present on the list as Davis is joined by FC Dallas' Brek Shea and D.C. United's Dwayne De Rosario. The Canadian De Rosario makes the team for a league record sixth time.
Of the 11 selections in this year's team, seven of them were starters in the 2011 MLS All-Star Game at Red Bull Arena and seven were named finalists for the league's various awards.
The full compliment of players can be found below.
GOALKEEPER (1): Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC)
DEFENDERS (3): Todd Dunivant (LA Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake)
MIDFIELDERS (5): David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
FORWARDS (2): Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes). [Goal.com]