D.C. United, winners of the 2006 Supporters' Shield as Major League Soccer's top team from the regular season, led all clubs with four selections to the RadioShack Best XI, announced Saturday evening at the annual MLS Gala Awards reception as part of the festivities surrounding MLS Cup 2006.
The Black-and-Red earned a league-best 55 points with a record of 15-7-10, which included an impressive 14-game unbeaten run during the summer. Though they fell short of their ultimate goal of a fifth championship for the club, losing 1-0 to the New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference Championship, D.C.'s league dominance was honored as members of its squad were selected to the Best XI in each position: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward.
Troy Perkins, who also was named the 2006 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, captured his first-ever Best XI honor after taking over the starting role from veteran Nick Rimando. Perkins played in 30 of United's 32 matches on the season, posting eight shutouts and a 1.13 goals against average while earning the most wins of any goalkeeper in the league (15).
The other member of United's defensive unit to receive Best XI honors was 2006 MLS Defender of the Year Bobby Boswell. The second-year professional logged 2,700 minutes this season as the rock in the middle of D.C.'s back line. He followed a superb rookie campaign a year ago with an even better outing in 2006. It has been an amazing journey for the Florida International University product, who joined United prior to the 2005 season despite going undrafted after graduating in 2004. In addition to his strong positioning, reading of the game and ability to win balls both on the ground and in the air, Boswell also added a goal and an assist to his stat line.
Joining Boswell on the Best XI back line were Kansas City Wizards veterans Jose Burciaga, Jr., and Jimmy Conrad. Burciaga was the most effective attacking defender in the league this year, logging eight goals and eight assists for a K.C. side missed the MLS Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive year. Burciaga played in 30 of his team's games in 2006, his sixth year with the team, using his speed and gifted left foot to spring the Wizards' offense down the wing.
Conrad made just 15 appearances this year, which is the lowest number of games he has taken part in during a season since entering the league in 1999 as a member of the San Jose Earthquakes. However, Conrad still had a 2006 to remember as he was selected for the U.S. World Cup team that participated at the tournament in Germany. He would miss further time due to injury after returning from the competition, but that didn't stop the California native from landing on his third consecutive Best XI.
"I know I didn't play too many games this year for MLS, but obviously I've done something right to garner that respect and that's something I'm proud of -- that people value me that highly despite maybe not playing as many games as other guys have," Conrad said. "I definitely think the national team helps. You get thrown into the spotlight and people get to see you playing at a high level and if you do well then you tend to get rewarded for it at the MLS level.
"That being said, there are a lot of guys who had great years defending and sometimes they might miss out on their chance when they have a great year. I just wish everybody would get recognized, especially the ones that really put together a good solid season for 10 months."
The five midfielders earning Best XI honors are highlighted by 2006 Honda MVP Christian Gomez of D.C. United. The Argentinean earned his second consecutive Best XI honor after leading United in both goals (14) and assists (11). Gomez again proved in 2006 that he can do it all, serving as the link between the defense and the offense and a serious threat on any set piece near the opponent's penalty box. Three of his goals and four of his assists were of the game-winning variety.
MLS Cup finalists Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution) and Dwayne De Rosario (Houston Dynamo) each collected their second -- and second consecutive -- Best XI honor this year. Dynamo's Ricardo Clark also made the list, but he will be unavailable for his side in the championship match due to suspension.
"It is bittersweet but I've kind of accepted the fact that I'm not going to be playing," said Clark. "I'm very confident that the players on our team will step up and get the job done."
As with Conrad, Dempsey missed significant time this season due to World Cup duty and injury. He missed 11 regular-season matches, but found the net eight times and added four assists in the 21 games he did play in, each as a starter. With great dribbling ability and creativity, Dempsey is one of the most entertaining players in the league. He is also very versatile, having the skills to play in just about any offensive role on the field.
"It came as a surprise to me because I wasn't even here that much during the season ... but I'm just glad that I was mentioned and it's great to have the honor of winning that award because it's saying basically that you're one of the top 11 players in the league," Dempsey said. "It's not always what you're looking for. You're just trying to help the team and you're trying to win but that kind of stuff is just icing on the cake and just happens through hard work."
De Rosario reached double digits in goals (11) for the first time in his career this season. He also provided five assists to help Dynamo to a second-place finish in the Western Conference in their first year in the league. The Canadian also scored the only goal of the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game to give the hosts a 1-0 win against English Premier League champions Chelsea FC. De Rosario's goals are often spectacular, including his astounding goal from midfield against the Chicago Fire on Aug. 30, which was a finalist for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Year.
"It's a good feeling to put in that hard work and get rewarded for it," said De Rosario. "It doesn't mean (anything) when you don't perform so I think you have to perform to earn those honors. I'm going to keep playing with the same love and passion that I've played with throughout my season and throughout my career and hopefully everything falls in the right places [Sunday]."
Clark earns his first-ever Best XI honor in 2006 after a terrific year in his holding midfielder role. Partnering with De Rosario in the center of the park, the 23-year-old was a constant menace to opponents, always battling for possession and breaking up their offensive efforts. He also got involved in the offense, scoring two goals and adding three assists.
Rounding out the midfielders is Chicago Fire winger Justin Mapp. The Mississippi native helped the Men in Red to a respectable third-place finish in the Eastern Conference in a season in which their first nine matches were all held on the road while their new stadium, Toyota Park, was receiving its finishing touches. The left-footer is one of the best crossers of the ball in the league, as evidenced by his eight assists. He also is not afraid to take on defenders himself and scored two goals of his own during his fifth professional season.
D.C. United's representation is completed by veteran striker Jaime Moreno, who earned his third selection in a row and fifth career Best XI honor, joining Chris Armas and Robin Fraser as the only five-time members of the league's elite squad. Moreno became just the second player in MLS history to reach 100 goals this season as he placed 11 balls into the back of the net. Five of those strikes were game-winners, as were three of his 10 assists. An MLS original, Moreno showed again in 2006 why he is widely considered one of the best players to ever play in Major League Soccer.
Putting the finishing touches on the Best XI, appropriately enough, is Real Salt Lake's Jeff Cunningham. The winner of the 2006 Budweiser Golden Boot award, the veteran marksman set the league high in goals with 16, matching a career best. He also played provider on 11 RSL goals, meaning that he contributed directly to 60 percent of his team's 45 total goals in the season. With Cunningham leading the way, RSL showed great improvement from their difficult expansion year in 2005, as they missed the postseason by just two points.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
