Sounders forward Obafemi Martins and defender Chad Marshall were named Tuesday to the 2014 MLS Best XI, which recognizes the league’s top 11 players, including one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards. This is the third Best XI selection for Marshall (also 2008-09 with Columbus) and the first for Martins.
Notable by his absence was Clint Dempsey, who missed games due to his commitment to the U.S. World Cup team.
In his first year with the Sounders, Marshall became the first in league history named Defender of the Year three times. He led the league with 136 interceptions and recorded 126 headers won, 206 clearances and an 83 percent passing accuracy. The 11-year MLS veteran also recorded one goal — an 84th-minute winner against Philadelphia May 3 — and matched a career-high with three assists.
Martins established a club record with 17 goals (fifth in MLS) and matched a club record with 13 assists (tied for fifth). His five multi-goal games tied for second in MLS, and his four game-winning assists tied for fourth. Martins started 29 of his 31 appearances and accumulated 2,600 minutes. The Sounders went 12-0-0 in games in which Martins scored a goal.
Martins was named also Player of the Month for September and Player of the Week for Week 24, in addition to his seven Team of the Week selections and five Goal of the Week awards. Marshall was named to the Team of the Week four times. Both Martins and Marshall were 2014All-Star selections.
Marshall and Martins are the fourth and fifth Seattle players to earn Best XI honors, joining midfielder Freddie Ljungberg in 2009, goalkeeper Kasey Keller in 2011 and Osvaldo Alonso in 2012.
The Best XI members were voted on by media, players and coaches and general managers.
MLS Best XI
- Goalkeeper: Bill Hamid (D.C. United).
- Defenders: Chad Marshall (Seattle Sounders), Bobby Boswell (D.C. United), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy).
- Midfielders: Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls).
- Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders).
2 Comments
Well-deserved for Marshall and Martins. Can’t really complain about any of the selections on this Best XI.
Wish Clint got some recognition but his time away for the USMT was probably why he wasn’t. A bit surprised Sigi wasn’t coach of the year but i don’t disagree with the final result. Props to Chad and Obafemi!