90min

2023 Major League Soccer Best XI revealed

  • Four clubs have two players in the list
  • The Golden Boot & MVP winners both named in the team
  • Two first-year players crack the XI

By Braden Chalker

St Louis are well represented in the XI
St Louis are well represented in the XI / Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/GettyImages
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The Best XI from the 2023 Major League Soccer season has been revealed, with top players from around the league making the list.

Players from both conferences made their mark during the regular season that spanned from late February to late October, and now the best of the best have been officially recognized in this year's Best XI.

St Louis CITY, who clinched the number one seed in the Western Conference before crashing out against Sporting Kansas City, are well represented in the list, while three Eastern Conference juggernauts have two players apiece in the XI.

Roman Burki
Burki was named in goal / Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/GettyImages
  • Goalkeeper: Roman Burki (St Louis CITY) - Few shot-stoppers have enjoyed a debut season in the league like Burki. The longtime Borussia Dortmund figure was vital in St Louis CITY's march to becoming the number one seed in the Western Conference, keeping eight clean sheets with an impressive 74.5% save percentage.
  • Defender: Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati) - Many people are on the fence about his gamesmanship and off-the-field antics, but you can't deny that he was the best defender in MLS in 2023. In his second campaign with the Orange and Blue, Miazga started 27 games in Pat Noonan's backline, stepping in to make necessary challenges to help his team keep 12 clean sheets and eventually lift the Supporters' Shield.
  • Defender: Tim Parker (St Louis CITY) - Although Burki came up with several clutch saves, he couldn't do it all on his own. Parker kept the St Louis backline in check in the team's inaugural season, starting 24 games and even contributing four goals in the process.
  • Defender: Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC) - Nashville's decision to sign Zimmerman, a defender, as a Designated Player may have looked strange in 2022. But their faith in the 30-year-old has more than paid off, with the Coyotes conceding just 32 goals in 2023 - tied for first in MLS with Seattle - thanks in part to their club captain.
  • Midfielder: Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) - What can't Almada do? The young star was at the center of attack when Atlanta burst forward against their opponents, as his 11 goals and 19 assists (30 G/As) were only second to the MVP winner Lucho Acosta's goal involvements (31 G/As).
  • Midfielder: Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) - Mukhtar was the focal point of everything in attack for the Coyotes in 2023, tallying 15 goals and dishing out 11 assists. The German had yet another season to remember as he led Nashville to their fourth consecutive playoff appearances in as many years.
  • Midfielder: Lucho Acosta (FC Cincinnati) - After picking up MLS MVP honors, Acosta was no doubt going to be the first name on the list. The former D.C. United player led the league in total goal contributions with 17 goals and 14 assists en route to Cincinnati clinching their first trophy in team history while also receiving the Goal of the Year award as well.
  • Midfielder: Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo) - The veteran midfielder led by example all 2023, making 30 appearances (29) starts and leading the Dynamo to a fourth place finish and a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Herrera's 17 assists led the team, while he also tallied four goals.
  • Forward: Giorgos Giakoumakis (Atlanta United) - Atlanta's 'Tank' enjoyed a successful debut MLS season, finding the back of the net 17 times in 27 appearances (21 starts), including a goal on his first start against Portland Timbers.
  • Forward: Denis Bouanga (LAFC) - No surprises here, as the speedy winger terrorized defenses all season with his dribbling and shooting boots. He claimed the Golden Boot with 20 goals scored, and he'll look to keep on scoring to help the Black and Gold defend their 2022 MLS Cup title.
  • Forward: Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew) - When Lucas Zelarayan departed the Crew for the Saudi Pro League, there was immense pressure on Hernandez to step up. He did just that, and then some by pouring in 16 goals and 11 assists in his first full season in MLS, a true do-it-all forward that has Columbus fans dreaming of lifting MLS Cup.

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