adminSTEVEN Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and now Didier Drogba — Major League Soccer has had more than a sprinkling of stardust in recent times.
With this in mind, we have compiled a current best MLS XI, which is attack heavy in order to include the best acquisitions. It is a team that former Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan would be proud of!
So, here’s the current best XI from the MLS crop.
Didier Drogba, Montreal Impact (Striker, age 37)
Cote d’Ivoire caps: 104, goals: 65. Previous clubs include: Marseille, Chelsea and Galatasaray; club career goals: 150+. Major honours: League titles (5), Champions League (1), domestic cups (8).
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho described him as the club’s “best value player ever”. The powerful forward was one of the big successes at the Blues.
David Villa, New York City
(Striker, age 33)
Spain caps: 97, goals 59. Previous clubs include: Valencia, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid; club career goals: 200+. Major honours: World Cup, European Championship, league titles (2), Champions League, domestic cups (3).
The former Barcelona striker has won the lot both on the international and domestic stage, playing with greats such as Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy
(Forward, age 35)
Republic of Ireland caps: 140, goals 65. Previous clubs include: Inter Milan, Leeds, Liverpool and Tottenham; club career goals: 180+. Major honours: League titles (3), domestic cups (1).
One of the big successes of the MLS. The Republic of Ireland captain was the Most Valuable Player last year having helped LA Galaxy to both their and his third championship in four years. Has to play further back in our line-up to fit everyone in.
Andrea Pirlo, New York City (Midfielder, age 36)
Italy caps: 115, goals 13. Previous clubs include: Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus; club career goals: 50+. Major honours: World Cup, league titles (6), Champions League (2), domestic cups (2).
The cool Italian seems to have more time than most in the middle of the field. Like Villa, he is a world champion and won the Champions League and league titles.
Kaka, Orlando City
(Midfielder, age 33)
Brazil caps: 89, goals 29. Previous clubs include: Sao Paulo, AC Milan and Real Madrid; club career goals: 130+. Major honours: World Cup, league titles (2), Champions League, domestic cups (1).
An AC Milan legend, he joined Real Madrid in 2009 for £56 million — the second biggest transfer fee at the time behind the 75 million Real paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane.
Frank Lampard, New York City (Midfielder, age 37)
England caps: 106, goals 29. Previous clubs include: West Ham, Chelsea and Manchester City; club career goals: 230+. Major honours: League titles (3), Champions League, Europa League, domestic cups (6).
An exceptional professional. Like Drogba, he was an important part of the spine of Chelsea during the past decade. He is the only midfielder to have scored more than 150 goals in the Premier League.
Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders, (Midfielder, age 32)
USA caps: 119, goals 48. Previous clubs include: Fulham and Tottenham; club career goals: 100+. Major honours: Concacaf Gold Cup (2)
A United States player who wears his heart on his sleeve. The former Fulham favourite has played at three World Cups and became the first American male to score at three.
Steven Gerrard, LA Galaxy
(Midfielder, age 35)
England caps: 114, goals 21. Previous clubs include: Liverpool; club career goals: 186. Major honours: Champions League, Uefa Cup, domestic cups (5).
A leader for club and country, many in the MLS consider his summer signing to be one of the all-time coups. He is the only footballer to have scored in the finals of the FA Cup, League Cup, Uefa Cup and Champions League. Will gather the ball at the back and come forward with it in our team.
Andoni Iraola, New York City, (Defender, age 33)
Spain caps: 7. Previous clubs include: Athletic Bilbao.
The right-back spent 12 years at Bilbao. Regarding honours, Iraola has come agonisingly close — collecting Copa del Rey runners-up medals and finishing on the losing side in the 2012 Europa League final.
Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy
(Defender, age 26)
USA caps: 29. Major honours: League titles (3).
The 6ft 5in United States centre-back is only 26, but has already won three MLS championships. He has appeared in four MLS best XIs (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) and was a member of Jurgen Klinsmann’s 2014 World Cup squad.
Bill Hamid, D.C United
(Goalkeeper, age 24)
USA caps: 2. Major honours: Concacaf Gold Cup
The least experienced and decorated player in this MLS XI, but has a promising career ahead of him. The Virginia-born player, who trained with West Brom, was voted the best keeper in the MLS last year and currently plays for the team that leads the Eastern Conference. — Online.
Online Reporter