Major League Soccer kicked off its 25th season with 26 teams vying for the MLS Cup. The league is not only growing in clubs, but it is improving in overall talent with players coming from all over the globe to compete. The season is nearing its kickoff and ahead of the first game between DC United and the Colorado Rapids, there is a lot of debate over which teams will contend for the MLS Cup. MLS fans are and punters can visit Silent Bet to get a bet bonus before wagering on the first game of the season between DC United and the Rapids.
The league’s quality of play on the pitch continues to improve. Prior to the 2020 season kicking off, we look at the MLS Best XI going into the new campaign.
Goalkeeper: Bill Hamid, DC United
DC United’s Bill Hamid was the joint leader in clean sheets in 2019 with 14. The club’s 29-year-old shot-stopper remains one of the best goalkeepers in MLS and returns this season after re-signing permanently from Denmark’s FC Midtjylland.
Defender: Walker Zimmermann, Nashville SC
Walker Zimmermann was a member of MLS’s Best XI in 2019 and goes into the new campaign as the key cog in expansion club Nashville SC’s defense. The 26-year-old was a rock at the back for Supporters’ Shield winners Los Angeles FC. Nashville SC paid $1.25 million in General Allocation Money during the offseason to acquire Zimmermann.
Defender: Winston Reid, Sporting KC
Winston Reid may not come to mind when considering MLS’s best defenders for 2020. However, the ex-West Ham center-back joins MLS with a history of playing against top strikers in the Premier League. At 31, Reid has the chance to revitalize his career with Sporting KC.
Defender: Miles Robinson, Atlanta United
Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson was a Best XI defender last season and will once again be an important part of the Five Stripes at the back. Robinson is just 22 and could play his way into a regular US national team position this term.
Midfielder: Alejandro Pozuelo, Toronto FC
Signed in March 2019 from Belgium’s Genk, Toronto FC Designated Player Alejandro Pozuelo tallied 12 assists last season. He chipped in with 14 goals in all competitions.
Midfielder: Maximiliano Moralez, New York FC
New York FC midfielder Maximiliano Moralez led MLS in 2019 with 20 assists. He is the creative spark for the club and could have another big season.
Midfielder: Rodolfo Pizarro, Inter Miami
Inter Miami signed midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro in the offseason from Mexico’s Monterrey and his addition is a major coup for the expansion team. Pizarro has won a clutch of trophies with Pachuca, Chivas de Guadalajara, and Monterrey. His leadership will be a tremendous boost for the expansion club.
Midfielder: Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Valeri maybe 33, but the Argentine is still a major attacking contributor. Valeri tallied 16 assists last season and the former MLS MVP is good enough to lead the Timbers back to the cup final.
Forward: Javier Hernandez, LA Galaxy
Javier Hernandez starts the MLS season as the league’s highest paid player earning over $7m this season. He has already made a big impact in Los Angeles and the Galaxy haven’t played a match.
Forward: Carlos Vela, Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles FC striker Carlos Vela scored an MLS record 34 goals last season to power the club to the Supporters’ Shield trophy. He is a brilliant goalscorer that will dominate the league’s defenses once more.
Forward: Josef Martinez, Atlanta United
Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez scored 27 goals last season. Like Vela, Martinez has dominated MLS defenses after years of playing in Europe. Martinez won the 2018 MLS Golden Boot award and could reclaim it this season.
