(Sports Network) - Defender of the Year Chad Marshall and Goalkeeper of the Year Jon Busch were among seven players named to the MLS Best XI for the first time Saturday. Columbus' Marshall was joined by teammate Robbie Rogers and Chicago's Busch was joined by teammates Bakary Soumare and Cuauhtemoc Blanco as first-time picks.

Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan and FC Dallas' Kenny Cooper, who was also named the MLS Comeback Player of the Year on Saturday, were the other first-time winners.

Kansas City's Jimmy Conrad earned his fourth Best XI honor, the most for anyone on this season's team. New England's Shalrie Joseph earned his third honor and Columbus's Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the league MVP, and Los Angeles' Landon Donovan, the MVP runner-up, each made the team for the second time.

The Best XI recognizes the league's top 11 players at each individual position on the field - one goalie, three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards.

Following is the MLS 2008 Best XI team:

GOALKEEPER: Jon Busch (Chicago Fire).

DEFENDERS: Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Bakary Soumare (Chicago Fire), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew).

MIDFIELDERS: Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA).

FORWARDS: Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy).



Copyright 2008 The Sports Network
All rights reserved