Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, LA Galaxy’s Riqui Puig, D.C. United’s Christian Benteke highlight Best XI in MLS ahead of 2025
Less than three months after the LA Galaxy defeated the New York Red Bulls to win the 2024 MLS Cup for the first time in ten years, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and New York City FC will play their first Eastern Conference match of the 2025 MLS season on Saturday afternoon. The LA Galaxy and Messi set the MLS regular season points record on their way to winning the Supporters’ Shield, and the Argentine was named MLS MVP.
Considering that San Diego FC will be the league’s 30th team, the 2025 season is looking to be one of the most entertaining yet.
As the 30th season of Major League Soccer begins, who are the league’s top players? The 2025 MLS Best XI is unveiled by GOAL ahead of the season. It was created using stringent standards to guarantee that the best players from each position would be included in a 4-3-3 configuration with two central midfielders and one attacking midfielder.
Goalkeeper: Kristijan Kahlina, Charlotte FC
In 2024, the goalie for Charlotte FC was outstanding, with a career-high 12 shutouts throughout the regular season. The Croatian goalie had a key role in the Crown giving up just 37 goals in the previous season, which was the second-fewest in all of MLS.
The 32-year-old was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024 after recording 121 saves and averaging the greatest save percentage in MLS past season, 75.63.
The only better individual goalkeeping season in Major League Soccer since 2013 is Kahlina’s -10.47 G-xG, which is only surpassed by former New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic’s -10.75 in 2022, according to American Soccer Analysis.An
Left Back: Jordi Alba, Inter Miami
In his first full season with the Herons, Alba established the MLS regular season points record with 74 points and led all MLS defenders in assists with 14. Miami also won the Supporters’ Shield. His passing completion percentage of 83.8 on average further demonstrated how important he was to their developing out of the back success. In addition, he scored four goals.
The former Barcelona and Spain star has adapted to life in Major League Soccer (MLS) with outstanding overlapping play into their attack and tight defensive displays when required.
The 35-year-old is currently third all-time in the South Beach club’s assist totals following his 2024 campaign.
Center Back: Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Seattle Sounders
Throughout the regular season and postseason, the 32-year-old defender for the Seattle Sounders put on an impressive defensive clinic in 2024.
During the previous season, he made 30 appearances and started 28 games as the Sounders had the fewest goals scored in the league (only 35 goals allowed).
Yeimar started 11 of the 13 clean sheets the Sounders recorded, which put them first in the league. In 2024, the Colombian was selected to the MLS’ Best XI for the second time in his career.
