Major League Soccer’s MVP and Golden Boot winner are both represented in the FotMob best XI from the league in 2023, as are Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati and MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew.
By James Nalton, MLS expert
The best of the rest have not been forgotten. The XI includes players from all positions and takes into account performances throughout 2023. It could, in theory, operate as a functional team if it were to actually take to the field!
Goalkeeper: Roman Burki
Put simply, St. Louis City would not have finished top of the Western Conference were it not for goalkeeper, Burki. The former Dortmund stopper was one of the most important signings for the 2023 expansion team under coach Bradley Carnell whose setup helped the team overachieve in its debut season. To back this up, only Daniel of San Jose, who also deserves a mention, prevented more goals according to the data.
Right-Back: Julian Gressel
With more chances created per 90 minutes than the likes of Barreal and Kai Wagner, Gressel remained one of the most creative wing-backs in MLS. Along with forward Christian Ramirez, he helped change the game for Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference final against FC Cincinnati – a key moment in their run to becoming the 2023 MLS Cup champion.
Right Centre-Back: Yeimar Gómez
The Seattle defender was the main reason his team finished the season with the joint-fewest goals conceded in MLS. The Sounders also had the lowest xG against in the league, and the Colombian’s proactive defending stopped many attacks in mid-flow, finishing the season with a league-high 77 interceptions.
Left Center-Back: Robin Jansson
Despite finishing second in the overall table, Orlando City went under the radar somewhat, and the same could be said of its left-sided defender, Jansson. The Swede featured in every game for Orlando in 2023, providing an outlet to start attacks through passing and ball-carrying as well as being a solid defensive presence.
Left-Back: Álvaro Barreal
The Argentine was the most attacking full-back in a league that boasts a number of them, He offered a regular threat down the left, cutting inside as well as overlapping and helping define FC Cincinnati’s attack as much as lauded teammate and compatriot Acosta. Barreal scored seven goals and made eight assists across the regular season and playoffs.
Midfield: Obinna Nwobodo
The Nigerian midfielder’s importance to FC Cincinnati was especially highlighted during his absence against Philadelphia Union and at the start of the game against Columbus in the playoffs. Nwobodo was joint top among midfielders for interceptions and tackles combined in 2023, alongside the Crew’s Aidan Morris who fully deserves a mention here too.
Midfield: Héctor Herrera
The Mexican talisman came into his own in 2023, providing the class and leadership Houston Dynamo hoped he would bring to the franchise when they signed him in 2022. He set the tempo for the team that won the US Open Cup and made it to the Western Conference final.
Attacking Midfield: Luciano Acosta
The No.10 or second striker position is always a strength for MLS as a league so it can be difficult to pick just one player here. This season, the task was made slightly easier by the standout play of the league’s eventual MVP, Acosta. His performances propelled Cincinnati to the Supporters’ Shield, registering 17 goals and 10 assists in the regular season. Simply the league’s best player in 2023.
Right Wing: Cristian Espinoza
It was another productive season for San Jose’s creative right-winger, who finished the 2023 regular season having created more chances than any other player, with 101. Espinoza completed the season with a return of 13 goals and eight assists, and also the highest expected assists tally in MLS at 13.29.
Left Wing: Denis Bouanga
The Gabon international has been a goalscoring, counter-attacking machine from the left wing in 2023. His goals in the playoffs were key to LAFC’s run to the MLS Cup final after a disappointing regular season by the West Coast club’s standards. Bouanga’s 20 goals saw him claim the Golden Boot award.
Striker: Cucho Hernández
Even prior to his MLS Cup final MVP performance, Cucho was the standout striker in MLS throughout the 2023 regular season. He was ideal for the brand of attacking football the Crew played under Wilfried Nancy, contributing to build-up, pressing from the front, and most importantly for a player in his position, scoring goals.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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