Cooper highlights 2008 MLS Best XI
Golden Boot runner-up also named Comeback Player of the Year
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After appearing in just 14 games in 2007 after breaking his tibia eight games into the season, Cooper was arguably the league's biggest breakout star this year, finishing second in the Budweiser Golden Boot standings with 18 goals, trailing only Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, who joined Cooper on the Best XI frontline. The 24-year-old Dallas native also notched three assists, tied for first in the league with four game-winning goals, ranked second to Donovan with four multiple-goal games, and led the league in shots and shots on goal.
Cooper emerged as the focal point of the attack for a Hoops team that finished just outside the MLS Cup Playoffs. He was a First XI selection for the Sierra Mist MLS All-Star team that defeated West Ham United and was twice named the MLS Player of the Week, in weeks 18 and 19. In his three MLS seasons Cooper has recorded 33 goals and nine assists. Cooper signed with FC Dallas on Feb. 6, 2006 following four seasons with Manchester United's reserves.
Joining Cooper and Donovan on the 2008 MLS Best XI were Columbus Crew midfielders Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Robbie Rogers and defender Chad Marshall, Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco, defender Bakary Soumare and goalkeeper Jon Busch, Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan, New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph and Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad.
Donovan was the spark behind the league's highest-scoring club, earning the Budweiser Golden Boot in becoming the sixth player in league history to score 20 or more goals in a single MLS season. The 26-year-old three-time MLS Cup winner also was named the 2008 U.S. Soccer Honda Player of the Year, as well as a finalist for the 2008 Volkswagen Most Valuable Player award. It was his second Best XI nomination.
Schelotto, the 2008 MLS Volkswagen Most Valuable Player, also returns to the Best XI team for the second consecutive season after leading the league in assists with 19. He joins Rogers, who emerged as one of the league's most dangerous outside attackers, and Marshall, the 2008 Visa Defender of the Year, in giving Columbus a league-high three Best XI members. The trio led the Crew to the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup Final.
Chicago also boasts three players on the Best XI team, highlighted by Blanco, who established himself as one of MLS's most dangerous and intimidating players in his first full season in the league. He finished with seven goals and 11 assists while guiding the Fire to the Eastern Conference Championship game and earning a nod as an MVP finalist alongside Schelotto and Donovan.
Busch had a breakout season at 32 years of age, as the 5-foot-11 'keeper brushed aside concerns over his height en route to being named the Panasonic Goalkeeper of the Year. Busch tied for the league lead among goalkeepers in shutouts (10), tied for second in wins (13) and was second in goals against average (1.10) while playing behind the Eastern Conference's stingiest backline.
The lynchpin of that backline was the 23-year-old Soumare, who in his second MLS season established himself as one of the league's premier central defenders. The Generation adidas defender from Mali was at the heart of a defense that allowed just 33 goals in 30 games and was named a Defender of the Year finalist.
Kljestan was the rock at the center of a Chivas USA side that battled through a slew of injuries to earn a second-place finish in the Western Conference. The 23-year-old midfielder dazzled with his creativity, finishing with a career-high five goals and seven assists in 21 games. The three-year veteran also represented the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Perennially considered to be one of the league's best midfield players, Joseph earned his third Best XI nod along with his fifth MLS All-Star appearance in 2008, notching a goal and assist while playing 2,384 minutes in 27 games. His physical, intimidating presence led New England back to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.
Long viewed as one of MLS's premier defenders, Conrad had arguably his finest season in his 10th year in the league, scoring a career-high six goals -- good for second on the Wizards -- in addition to his usual standout defensive play. He was also an MLS All-Star en route to his fourth Best XI selection.
The 2008 MLS Best XI featured seven players -- Busch, Soumare, Marshall, Blanco, Kljestan, Rogers and Cooper -- who were named to the team for the first time. For Donovan and Schelotto, it was their second nomination, while Joseph and Conrad have been named three and four times previously. The Best XI is voted upon by MLS players, MLS coaches and general managers and the media.
Rich Zuckerman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
