ASD's 2007 All-MLS Team

by ASD - October 24, 2007

 
 

With the regular season in the rear view mirror, it's time to name our first All-MLS team.

If you have any questions, comments, congrats or complaints, let us have 'em at contact@americansoccerdaily.com.

GK Brad Guzan - Chivas USA
The Goats netminder finished tops in MLS with 13 shutouts, and came second in wins (14) and goals against average (0.93). Behind a shuffling backline, the burly Illinois native commanded his area like a lion and made spectacular saves routine.

Honorable mentions - Nick Rimando (RSL), Joe Cannon (LA), Bouna Coundoul (COL)

DF Bryan Namoff - DC United
A nearly unanimous ASD choice at right back, Namoff was able to help United record the third-best defensive record in the league while finding time to push the top attack in MLS up the flank.

DF Eddie Robinson - Houston Dynamo
The favorite defender of Carlos Ruiz was a unanimous choice at center back with the ASD staff. Tough and agile, Robinson managed to be the only defender in the league top 10 for fouls suffered, coming in third with 64.

Eddie Robinson Houston Dynamo
Robinson was one of three unanimous ASD picks. (photo: Aaron Sprecher/Getty)
 
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DF Michael Parkhurst - New England Revolution
Even before dropping in a Goal of the Year candidate from midfield on the final day, Parkhurst had already stamped his place on this honor roll. Unbelievably, the Rhode Island native worked 2,107 minutes in a three-man backline without picking up a yellow card and only committed 10 fouls.

DF Wade Barrett - Houston Dynamo

Named on all but two ballots, Barrett's contribution to the league's best defense earns him the left back slot. The Dynamo captain is one of the fittest players in MLS, which he showed by running up and down the wing while ending up second in minutes played (2, 649).

Honorable mention - Gonzalo Segares (CHI), Gregg Vanney, Marc Burch (DC), Craig Waibel (HOU)


MF Ricardo Clark - Houston Dynamo
Though his season was abbreviated by injuries, suspension and USMNT call-ups, Clark earned his place here with a smooth traffic directing job for the team with the second best plus/minus rating in the league. Unfortunately, a red mist moment against FC Dallas irritant Ruiz will cost him involvement in the playoffs.

MF Sacha Kljestan - Chivas USA
In his second season, the California native developed into perhaps the finest two-way threat in MLS. Tied for second in the league with 13 assists, Kljestan added four goals and some midfield bite for the Western champs.

MF Steve Ralston - New England Revolution

The St. Louis native won his third assist crown with 14 in 2007 and became the league's all-time leader in the category with 121. Ralston, a driving force in the second most potent attack in MLS this season, also made two of his four goal game winners.

MF Cuauhtémoc Blanco - Chicago Fire
Sure, he only played half the season, but the Blanco effect at Toyota Park was undeniable. In only 14 games, Blanco notched four goals and seven assists, and suffered the fifth highest total of fouls (61). More importantly, he sparked the Fire to six wins and six draws to guide them to the a playoff spot that looked unlikely when he arrived in July.

Honorable mentions - Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Ben Olsen, Christian Gomez, Maurice Edu, Davy Arnaud, Fred, Juan Carlos Toja

F Luciano Emilio - DC United

The Brazilian took the league by storm in his first season, scoring in a wide variety of ways to claim the Golden Boot with 20 goals. A unanimous choice here, Emilio appears to be the MLS MVP frontrunner.

F Juan Pablo Angel - New York Red Bulls

Like Emilio, this newcomer was a unanimous ASD selection. Angel began his MLS career with strikes in six straight and rarely stopped scoring to end the term with a second-best total of 19 goals, five of them game winners.

Honorable mentions - Ante Razov, Eddie Johnson, Landon Donovan, Taylor Twellman


ASD staffers in the balloting: Alex Abnos, Jeremy Downey, Jason Endres, Johannes de Jong, Harris King, Clemente Lisi, Ryan O'Hanlon, Greg Seltzer, Neal Thurman
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