Overview
- The Best XI spans nine clubs and seven countries with six first-time selections, reflecting broad league representation.
- Lionel Messi earned a repeat Best XI nod after winning the Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists, finishing one contribution shy of Carlos Vela’s single-season record and positioning himself for a potential MVP repeat.
- Dayne St. Clair made the team as Goalkeeper of the Year with a league-best 77.93% save rate and 10 shutouts, Tristan Blackmon was Defender of the Year for anchoring Vancouver’s second-stingiest defense, and Anders Dreyer took Newcomer of the Year with 19 goals and 19 assists.
- Philadelphia Union (Jakob Glesnes, Kai Wagner) and Vancouver Whitecaps (Tristan Blackmon, Sebastian Berhalter) were the only clubs with multiple honorees.
- The selections were determined by votes from media, MLS players and club technical staffs, and the announcement arrives during the playoffs with most honorees still in contention.