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Life happened in the middle of @25_stories so I'm bummed we didn't finish our 25 Hall of Famers before this came out. Needless to say our list was very different to this.
Here's a thread on our differences.
1) OUT: Carlos Bocanegra, IN: @JimmyConrad
Boca was in the league https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1336736732436451332
Here's a thread on our differences.
1) OUT: Carlos Bocanegra, IN: @JimmyConrad
Boca was in the league https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1336736732436451332
for three years before jetting and during his time, he was the best defender no doubt. Conrad, though was Best XI four times, Defender of the Year and over 200 games.
2) OUT: David Beckham, IN: Chris Armas
Beckham, on pure on the field merit, has no business anywhere near this
2) OUT: David Beckham, IN: Chris Armas
Beckham, on pure on the field merit, has no business anywhere near this
list. He basically didn't play the first three years. In the 2009 season he actually played the same amount of games for Milan as LA Galaxy. In 2010, he played 7 games. SEVEN. He's the most important signing in MLS history but not for on-field merit.
Armas, on the other hand,
Armas, on the other hand,
is all on-field merit. He was on FIVE MLS Best XIs, four of which are in a row. The only players with more are Donovan and LD. He won 6 major trophies and played 200+ games for the Fire and was the best CDM in MLS 1.0. The fact he's not on this list is a sham. An absolute sham.
3) OUT: Kevin Hartman, IN: Omar Gonzalez
I know the people voting were forced to pick 3 GKs. If I were forced to pick 3, Hartman would be on my list as well. But I'm not, so he's not.
Omar is. He's 4x MLS Best XI player, winning 5 major trophies before moving to Mexico to win
I know the people voting were forced to pick 3 GKs. If I were forced to pick 3, Hartman would be on my list as well. But I'm not, so he's not.
Omar is. He's 4x MLS Best XI player, winning 5 major trophies before moving to Mexico to win
more trophies. Rookie of the year & Defender of the year, it was him being drafted that started the LA Galaxy dynasty.
4) OUT: Clint Dempsey, IN: @TaylorTwellman
If we're going by MLS only, this isn't close. Dempsey has 2 Best XIs, 72 goals + 42 assists (0.67 g+a/90)
4) OUT: Clint Dempsey, IN: @TaylorTwellman
If we're going by MLS only, this isn't close. Dempsey has 2 Best XIs, 72 goals + 42 assists (0.67 g+a/90)
Twellman had 101 goals + 28 assists (0.77 g+a/90) in a similar amount of minutes. He also matched Dempsey's 2 Best XI but also has a Golden Boot and an MVP. If his career wasnt ended abruptly before turning 30. Without that he'd be #1 all time in goals (or right there)
5) OUT: Steve Ralston IN: Shalrie Joseph
This is now getting into debatable territory. Ralston is deserving 3x best XI, all time leader in assists.
But Joseph was the best midfielder in his day. 4x Best XI and the absolute anchor in those NE Revs team. I think if you asked
This is now getting into debatable territory. Ralston is deserving 3x best XI, all time leader in assists.
But Joseph was the best midfielder in his day. 4x Best XI and the absolute anchor in those NE Revs team. I think if you asked
Revs fans on the order of importance of players in those teams it'd be 1, Shalrie 2.Taylor and 3. Ralston
6) OUT: Tony Meola, IN: Matt Besler
Same point as Hartman, if I'm forced to pick 3 keepers, Meola is my #2. I'm not though on my own list.
Besler was the rock of the 2013
6) OUT: Tony Meola, IN: Matt Besler
Same point as Hartman, if I'm forced to pick 3 keepers, Meola is my #2. I'm not though on my own list.
Besler was the rock of the 2013
MLS Cup winning team and the face of SKC for over a decade. 2x Best XI, DPOY, 4x All Star, all time legend.
7) OUT: Josef Martinez, IN: Michael Parkhurst
Josef will be on this list but he hasn't played enough games yet. But if his MLS career ended today? I think he's just short
7) OUT: Josef Martinez, IN: Michael Parkhurst
Josef will be on this list but he hasn't played enough games yet. But if his MLS career ended today? I think he's just short
Parkhurst is sort of the opposite. So good for so long with three seperate teams. Best XI, 6x All-Star, DPOY, 4 major trophies. His style was so unassuming, but his record and quality was not.
8) OUT: Carlos Valderamma, IN: Oswaldo Alonso
My hottest take. I honestly
8) OUT: Carlos Valderamma, IN: Oswaldo Alonso
My hottest take. I honestly
go back and forth. Valderamma was the premier playmaker in early MLS, 3x Best XI and first ever MVP. He still holds the season record for assists, though they were easier to get then.
Alonso was the backbone of the beginning of the Seattle empire. The best CDM for a few
Alonso was the backbone of the beginning of the Seattle empire. The best CDM for a few
years, he won 6 major trophies, 4 all stars and a Best XI. He allowed Dempsey and Oba to do their magic because he cleaned everything in the back.
While Valderamma bounced around team to team in his year in MLS, Alonso was the Seattle Sounders playing over 250 games.
That's
While Valderamma bounced around team to team in his year in MLS, Alonso was the Seattle Sounders playing over 250 games.
That's
Why Ozzie gets the edge from me. That and obviously I'm biased toward defensive midfielders.
That's it. My 8 differences from the MLS list. I'm sure we'll get back to the podcast to finish those stories in the turn of the new year.
That's it. My 8 differences from the MLS list. I'm sure we'll get back to the podcast to finish those stories in the turn of the new year.
