Picking an All-Time MLS Best XI

I have been covering Major League Soccer for a couple years here on Bleacher Report and so far it has been nothing short of a rewarding experience. I have learned quite a lot about the nuances of the league, the dynamics, the teams, the culture of its fans...and I have come to appreciate the importance of MLS to the United States.

As I close the books on another successful year of following this league and prepare to open a new one next month, I want to reflect on eleven players that make up my All-Time MLS Best XI. These are footballers that have molded the league into what it is today.

Let's take a look.

GK: Tony Meola

You talk about longevity...this is a goalkeeper with plenty of longevity.

Tony Meola has had a storied career as a goalkeeper in MLS. Meola made 250 league appearances as the primary netminder for the MetroStars/New York Red Bulls and the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City).

The 2000 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Meola also made 100 appearances for the US Men's National team from 1988-2006.

Defender: Jeff Agoos

Jeff Agoos, a 2009 National Soccer Hall of Fame Inductee, is a defender that has earned plenty of silverware during his playing days.

Agoos won three MLS Cups and a U.S. Open Cup with D.C. United while winning another two MLS Cups with the San Jose Earthquakes. Agoos made 283 league appearances for D.C., San Jose and the MetroStars, recording 13 goals before retiring in 2005.

As a member of the US men's national team, Agoos earned 134 caps from 1988-2003.

Defender: Marcelo Balboa

These days, Marcelo Balboa is doing play-by-play commentary for Altitude and matches involving the Colorado Rapids. But back when Balboa was a player for Colorado, he could play in the back better than anybody.

Balboa played in 151 league matches for the Rapids, scoring 24 goals from 1996-2001. He also had a brief stint with the MetroStars before finally retiring.

As a member of the US men's national team, Balboa made 128 appearances, scoring 13 goals.

Defender: Eddie Pope

Eddie Pope is a class act when it comes to leadership on defense. He spent 12 seasons in MLS, from 1996-2007, before finally retiring from the game.

Pope made 254 appearances for D.C. United, the MetroStars and Real Salt Lake, earning two MLS Cups with D.C. Fans will remember Pope as the hero for United at the inaugural MLS Cup, scoring a golden goal in overtime to defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy.

As a member of the USA men's national team, Pope made 82 appearances, scoring eight goals for the Stars and Stripes from 1996-2006. Pope is a four-time MLS Best XI selection.

Defender: Robin Fraser

Current Chivas USA boss Robin Fraser was not too bad himself as a defender in MLS, having established a solid career as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy. But it wasn't just the G's that Fraser took his trade to.

After 129 league appearances for LA, Fraser made 74 appearances for the Colorado Rapids and a further 57 for the Columbus Crew before finally retiring in 2005.

Though Fraser was sparingly used by the US men's national team (he only managed 27 caps), it was his work on defense playing for his league teams that put him on this list. Fraser is a five-time MLS Best XI selection.

Midfielder/Captain: Landon Donovan

Detractors like Brad Friedel can say what they want about Landon Donovan, but even he will admit that he has been a successful force in Major League Soccer, playing for the San Jose Earthquakes and currently the Los Angeles Galaxy.

After making 87 appearances for the Quakes and scoring 32 goals while racking up two MLS Cups, Donovan earned a couple more playing for the Galaxy. As a member of Bruce Arena's club, Donovan scored 83 league goals in 168 appearances for LA.

As a member of the US men's national team, Donovan has scored 46 goals in 138 appearances for the Stars and Stripes. The USA's most prolific goal scorer, Donovan's work for club and country makes him a no-brainer to be on this list.

Not even Friedel himself can dispute that.

Midfielder: Marco Etcheverry

One of the reasons behind D.C. United's glory days was a certain Bolivian by the name of Marco Antonio Etcheverry Vargas.

Etcheverry came into the league in 1996 after a one-year run with Colombian side America de Cali. From 1996-2003, Etcheverry showcased his skills as a provider, scoring 34 goals in 190 league appearances for D.C. Etcheverry's contributions to the team were so great that he was placed on the D.C. United Tradition of Excellence sign in 2006.'

As a member of Bolivia's national team, Etcheverry recorded 13 goals in 71 appearances. He was also awarded with a Medal of Merit by his countrymen for his sporting achievements in April 2006.

Etcheverry is a four-time MLS Best XI selection.

Midfielder: Dwayne De Rosario

A six-time MLS Best XI selection, Dwayne De Rosario makes this list thanks to his role as an offensive weapon for the clubs he has played for.

In a career that has seen him play for the San Jose Earthquakes, the Houston Dynamo, Toronto FC, the New York Red Bulls and currently D.C. United, the 2011 MLS MVP has won four MLS Cups while scoring 93 goals in 274 league appearances from 2001 onwards.

One of the driving forces behind the Canadian men's national team, De Rosario has recorded 19 goals in 65 appearances for the Canucks.

Midfielder: Carlos Valderrama

It's not just the hair that makes Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama a legend in MLS. It's his work in the midfield that also defined his playing career.

In a career that saw him play for the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion and Colorado Rapids, Valderrama scored 16 goals in 257 league appearances from 1996-2002.

As a member of the Colombian national team, he scored 11 goals in 111 appearances from 1985-1998. Valderrama is a three-time MLS Best XI selection.

Forward: Jeff Cunningham

When all is said and done, it is safe to say that MLS's all-time leading goalscorer deserves to be on this MLS All-Time Best XI. Jeff Cunningham's playing career has featured stops with the Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake, Toronto FC, and FC Dallas.

All in all, Cunningham recorded 139 league goals in 360 league appearances from 1998 onwards. Even when coming off the bench in the later years of his career, Cunningham just seemed to find ways to score goals.

A proven producer, this three-time MLS Best XI selection deserves a place on this All-Time Best XI list.

Forward: Jaime Moreno

There can never be another Jaime Moreno. He IS D.C. United, regardless of what anyone says. Why? He spent a majority of his career playing for United, of course.

With the exception of a brief stint with the MetroStars, Moreno delivered in the clutch for United, scoring 131 goals in 329 league appearances. As a member of the Bolivian national team, Moreno won 75 caps and recorded nine goals as a forward.

Today, Moreno is still with D.C. United, but this time as their Youth Academy Technical Training Coach. Moreno is a five-time MLS Best XI selection.