MLS leading goal scorer Denis Bouanga and Most Valuable Player (MVP) Luciano Acosta were named among the top players at their positions in the MLS Best 11 announced on Tuesday.
Argentine midfielder Luciano, who played a key role in helping FC Cincinnati clinch the regular-season title, received his third Best 11 selection. French-born forward Bouanga, who represents Gabon, netted an impressive 20 goals for defending champion Los Angeles FC and was among eight first-time players to receive the award.
Despite leading his team Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup, an event featuring MLS and Mexican League clubs, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi was not named to the Best 11. Players were selected through a voting process involving players, coaching staff, and a media panel.
Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman earned his fifth consecutive Best 11 nod, joining an exclusive group of just six players to claim the award five or more times. Zimmerman's German midfield teammate Hany Mukhtar made the Best 11 for the third consecutive season.
MLS Defender of the Year Matt Miazga of the United States also represented Cincinnati, which will face Columbus in an MLS playoff semi-final on Saturday for the chance to advance to the MLS Cup final against either the LAFC or Houston.
St. Louis City, which became the first expansion club to claim a conference title by winning the West Crown, placed two players on the squad: MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Roman Buerki of Switzerland and US defender Tim Parker.
The remaining players named to the Best 11 included Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada of Atlanta, Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera of Houston, Greek forward Giorgos Giakoumakis of Atlanta, and Colombian forward Juan Hernandez of Columbus.
