Major League Soccer announced today D.C. United's Luciano Emilio, Christian Gomez and Ben Olsen have been named to the MLS Best XI for 2007. All three United players were named to the list after leading D.C. United to a 16-7-7 regular season record and their second consecutive Supporters' Shield. The trophy is the fourth such title in the club's illustrious history as United became the first team in MLS history to win the Supporters' Shield two years in a row.
"We congratulate Luciano, Christian and Ben for their outstanding performances this season for D.C. United," said United General Manager Dave Kasper. "Their efforts this year were vital to our club winning a second consecutive Supporters' Shield."
Having been named the 2007 Honda MLS MVP on Thursday, Emilio headlined the MLS Best XI after compiling a League-best 20 goals in the 2007 regular season. In his first season with MLS, Emilio won Player of the Week honors three times (Weeks 11, 18 and 23) and was Player of the Month for September, after scoring six goals in six games. From June 10 to July 4, Emilio scored at least one goal in five consecutive games, the second longest streak in MLS. He was also named MLS Newcomer of the Year for his standout performance in his first Major League Soccer campaign.
Christian Gomez has been named to the MLS Best XI for the third consecutive season after being the second leading goal scorer for D.C. United, totaling 10 goals and a team-high nine assists. Gomez started each of the 27 games he played in for United this season, while playing the second most minutes on the team (2,272). He was United's sole participant in the 2007 MLS All-Star game this summer, his third straight appearance in the event.
Olsen had perhaps the finest season of his career in 2007, despite having to adjust to a position he hadn't regularly played in nearly eight years. The 10-year veteran responded with a career-best seven goals to go along with seven helpers. He tallied his first career hat trick against New York in a 4-2 D.C. win on June 10, earning both Player of the Week and Goal of the Week honors. He earned a second Player of the Week honor for his two-goal performance in United's 4-0 thrashing of FC Dallas on September 1. His three game-winning goals were second most on the team.
