FC Cincinnati enjoyed its best MLS season to date in 2023 with two of their standout players earning Best XI nods for the year.
MLS MVP Luciano Acosta and Defender of the Year Matt Miazga headlined the MLS Best XI, which featured representatives from eight clubs throughout the league. MLS Newcomer of the Year Georgos Giakoumakis, MLS Young Player of the Year Thiago Almada, and MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Roman Burki were also part of the list released by the league on Tuesday.
Acosta, who was named MLS MVP on Monday, led FC Cincy with 17 goals and 14 assists. Both him and Miazga have been key in Pat Noonan’s squad lifting the Supporters’ Shield in 2023 and reaching this weekend’s Eastern Conference Final.
Miazga helped anchor an FC Cincy defense that conceded only 39 goals during the regular season. The club also registered 10 shutouts during matches in which he started in.
MLS Golden Boot winner Bouanga registered 20 goals and seven assists in 31 matches for reigning league champions LAFC. His 37 combined goals in 2023 are one behind current LAFC teammate Carlos Vela, who holds the record for the most in a single calendar year (38).
Hernandez finished his first regular season with 16 goals and 11 assists for the Crew. The Colombian will also fight for a spot in MLS Cup, with Columbus visiting FC Cincy on Saturday.
Almada led MLS with 19 regular season assists, which was also an Atlanta United record. His teammate Giakomakis totaled 17 goals and three assists in 27 matches during his debut MLS season.
Herrera contributed a single-season club-record 17 assists for the Dynamo, helping them lift the U.S. Open Cup and clinch a spot into the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Dynamo also sealed a first playoff berth since 2017, reaching this weekend’s Western Conference Final.
Mukhtar earned his third-consecutive Best XI nod after becoming the eighth player in league history to score at least 15 goals in three consecutive seasons. His heroics helped Nashville SC reach the postseason.
Zimmerman helped Nashville SC concede only 32 goals during the regular season, which was tied for the fewest in MLS. He has now earned five Best XI nods during his club career.
Parker enjoyed much success in 2023, leading expansion side St. Louis CITY SC to a first place finish during the regular season in the West. He set a career-high by scoring four goals and also earned his first MLS All-Star appearance.
Burki‘s 17 wins were the most by any MLS goalkeeper in their first season during the shootout era. His 123 saves were the second-most in MLS while Burki was also named to the MLS All-Star Game.
Here is the MLS Best XI for 2023:
Goalkeeper: Roman Burki (St. Louis CITY SC)
Defenders: Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati), Tim Parker (St. Louis CITY SC), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC).
Midfielders: Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo), Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Thiago Almada (Atlanta United).
Forwards: Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew), Giorgos Giakoumakis (Atlanta United), Denis Bouanga (LAFC).
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