With a number of standout stars across the league, selecting a Best XI from the MLS season is a task that grows more difficult with each passing season.

Voters are given flexibility with formation and this year's Best XI leans attacking with some of the league's brightest stars assembled to a 3-4-3. The front three alone combined for 91 goals and 26 assists. LAFC leads the way with three honorees, after setting a new league record for points and goal difference en route to picking up the Supporters' Shield.

FORWARDS

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC LA GALAXY The Swedish striker propelled the LA Galaxy to the postseason thanks to his 30 goals and seven assists in 29 matches during the regular season. The 30 goals are the third most in a single season in league history. Ibrahimovic joined LAFC’s Carlos Vela as the first two players to average more than one goal per game during a season (minimum 10 games played). Stats and highlights

JOSEF MARTINEZ ATLANTA UNITED Martínez in three MLS seasons has scored goals at a clip never seen before, already tied for 21st on the MLS all-time goalscoring list. The Venezuelan broke his own MLS record by scoring a goal in 15 consecutive matches this season, which also ties for the second-longest scoring streak in soccer since MLS began play in 1996. Martínez tallied 27 goals and four assists in 29 games in 2019. Stats and highlights

CARLOS VELA LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB Vela led second-year side LAFC to a record-breaking season, both collectively and individually. Vela was the 2019 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi when he set an MLS single-season record with 34 goals, to go along with 15 assists, as that combined total of goals and assists (49) is also a league record. Stats and highlights

MIDFIELDERS

EDUARD ATUESTA LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB With 11 assists this season, Atuesta was among the top 15 distributers in MLS this season to go along with his three goals. The 22-year-old earned his first call to represent the Colombia U-23 National Team in August. This is Atuesta’s first MLS Best XI selection. Stats and highlights

CARLES GIL NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION Gil was named the 2019 MLS Newcomer of the Year after finishing the season with 10 goals and 14 assists, one of four MLS players to register double digit goals and assists this season. Previously, Gil spent time with Deportivo La Coruña in La Liga and with Aston Villa in the English Premier League. Stats and highlights

MAXI MORALEZ NEW YORK CITY FC In his third MLS season, Moralez led NYCFC to its best ever season with a club record 64 points and its first qualification to the Concacaf Champions League. The Argentine led the league with 20 assists this year, tied for second most in MLS history and tied as the highest in the post-shootout era.Stats and highlights

ALEJANDRO POZUELO TORONTO FC The 28-year-old Spanish midfielder was one of four players in the league to record double digit goals and assists, finishing his debut MLS season with 12 goals and 12 assists. Pozuelo helped Toronto return to the postseason as the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, thanks to a 10-2-4 record in matches where he scored or registered an assist. Stats and highlights

DEFENDERS

IKE OPARA MINNESOTA UNITED Opara won his second MLS Defender of the Year Award (2017, 2019) this season after guiding Minnesota United FC to its first ever appearance in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. In Opara’s first year with the club, Minnesota posted the third biggest defensive turnaround in league history, allowing 28 fewer goals this year (43) compared to last year (71). Stats and highlights

MILES ROBINSON ATLANTA UNITED The 22-year-old emerged as a force on the Atlanta backline, earning his first calls to the United States Men’s National Team in September and October. The No. 2 pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas, Robinson appeared in all 34 regular season matches for Atlanta this year. Stats and highlights

WALKER ZIMMERMAN LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB The 26-year-old anchored an LAFC defense that allowed the fewest goals in MLS this season (37) and posted the best goal differential in league history (+48). Zimmerman has also gained playing time for the U.S. Men’s National Team since debuting in 2017, becoming a regular this season with seven caps and featuring in the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. Stats and highlights

GOALKEEPER