Dallas, Texas - Dallas Burn President and General Manager Greg Elliott announced today the "Best XI" all-time Dallas Burn players voted by fans at dallasburn.com. The following is a list of the "Best XI" Dallas Burn players:
GOALKEEPER
Mark Dodd (1996-1999) - Is the all-time Dallas Burn goalkeeper leader in saves (495), is second in games played (92), minutes (7,977), wins (44) and shutouts (16). During the Burn's inaugural season in 1996, Dodd appeared in 31 of the 32 matches and was named to the MLS "Best 11". Was a finalist for "Goalkeeper of the Year" his first three years in the league.
DEFENDERS
Cory Gibbs (2004) - Spent his first season in the MLS with the Dallas Burn this season, proving to be a dependable defender all season long. Over his 20 matches this season, he has played the full 90 minutes 18 times including 16 consecutive matches.
Jorge Rodriguez (1997-2002) - Currently ranks fifth on the Burn all-time games played list with 155 appearances. Ranks third in goals (25) and third in points (68) among all-time Dallas players. In 1998, Rodriguez was voted the winner of the Honda Most Valuable Player award as well as the BIC Defender of the Year for the Burn.
Richard Farrer (1996-2002) - Among the all-time Burn leaders, Farrer ranks second in games started (141) and second in games played (158). Over 158 matches, he recorded six goals and seven assists for 19 points with a Dallas Burn record 11 blocked shots.
Eric Dade (1997-2001) - Dade appeared in 111 matches over his Dallas Burn career. His nine blocks are second to only Farrer. He registered four goals and three assists for 11 points over his career.
MIDFIELDERS
Oscar Pareja (1998-2004) - In his seventh season with the Burn, Pareja currently ranks third all-time in games played (157). With an appearance tonight vs. San Jose, Pareja will tie Farrer for second on the all-time games played list behind only Jason Kreis. He is also second on the Burn list in assists (45) and fourth in points (67).
Leonel Alvarez (1996-1999) - Over his 70 career matches with the Burn, Alvarez started 69 times. During the MLS inaugural season in 1996, Alvarez was named to the league's "Best 11" list. He was also the first captain in team history.
Ronnie O'Brien (2002-2004) - A candidate for Major League Soccer's Comeback Player of the Year this season, O'Brien suffered a broken right tibia last season and this season, heads into tonight's match tied for second in the MLS in assists (10), sixth in shots (66) and tied for eighth in shots on goal (30).
Chad Deering (1998-2003) - Played for the Burn from 1998-2003 and appeared in 147 career matches. He currently ranks sixth among all-time Burn players in games played (147), third in assists (30) and seventh in points (56).
FORWARDS
Jason Kreis (1996-2004) - He is the all-time MLS leader in goals (91) after setting the record this season at the Cotton Bowl. Kreis has been with the Burn since their inception in 1996 and served as the team's captain this season. Heading into tonight's match with San Jose, Kreis is the Burn all-time leader in games played (246), goals, assists (63) and point (245).
Ariel Graziani (1999-2001) - Averaging well over a point a game with the Burn, Graziani recorded 72 points (30-12=72) in just 57 career matches. Among all-time Burn leaders, he ranks second in goals (30) and second in points (72). He won the Budweiser Scoring Champion award for the Burn in 2001 and won the Honda Most Valuable Player award in 2000.
