MLS ANNOUNCES PEPSI BEST XI AWARD WINNERS Star-Studded Lineup is League's Youngest in History With an Average Age of 26 PROVIDENCE, RI (Saturday, October 19, 2002) - Major League Soccer announced the Pepsi Best XI today, at its Gala Awards Ceremony at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI. The Pepsi Best XI features the top players from each position, compiling a lineup of 11 players from the League's two conferences based on a 3-5-2 alignment. MLS coaches, general managers, players and members of the Professional Soccer Reporters Association (PSRA) voted to determine this star-studded lineup. The 2002 Pepsi Best XI is the League's youngest of all-time with an average age of 26 years, surpassing the former all-time average low of 29 years of age set in 1999. The following are the names of the 2002 Best XI: FORWARD - CARLOS RUIZ - LOS ANGELES GALAXY The Los Angeles Galaxy's Guatemalan scoring sensation, Carlos "El Pescadito" Ruiz, captured the MLS Golden Boot in his first season, netting a League-high 24 goals. Including regular season and playoff games, the 2002 MLS Honda MVP scored one goal per game (31 goals in 31 games) and becomes the first-ever MLS player to score more than half of his club's goals. FORWARD - TAYLOR TWELLMAN - NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION New England's Taylor Twellman first beat out Mamadou Diallo and Alex Pineda Chacon, the Budweiser Scoring Champions in 2000 and 2001, for a starting spot and went on to capture a scoring championship of his own. After finding the back of the net in his first start, Twellman would become entrenched in the starting XI, registering 52 points (23 goals, six assists) in his first season in the League. MIDFIELDER - JEFF CUNNINGHAM - COLUMBUS CREW With a second consecutive standout campaign in 2002, Columbus Crew forward Jeff Cunningham has extinguished all doubts regarding his consistency. The veteran of five MLS seasons and first-time Best XI selection set new career highs in goals (16) and points (37). Cunningham, who became an American citizen in November 2001, will next be looking for a return to the U.S. National Team. MIDFIELDER - STEVE RALSTON - NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION There is no stopping the best right flank midfielder to ever play in MLS. Ralston, a seven-year veteran, continues to rack up the most minutes (17,960) and games (204 - tied with Jason Kreis) in League history. But the three-time Best XI player is not just about quantity. The 28-year-old captured his second MLS assist crown with a League and career-high 19 helpers. MIDFIELDER - MARK CHUNG - COLORADO RAPIDS A model of consistency since the 1996 Inaugural Season, Mark Chung, among the all-time leaders in games played, enjoyed the most productive season of his career as the only MLS player to finish with double-digit goal and assist totals in 2002. The two-time Best XI selection led the Rapids, his third MLS club, with a career-high 32 points (11 goals, 10 assists) while never ceasing to entertain with sublime displays of soccer skill. MIDFIELDER - RONNIE EKELUND - SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES One of the most underrated players from the 2001 MLS Cup champion San Jose Earthquakes, midfielder Ronnie Ekelund again proved to be the lynchpin of his team's midfield. Aside from his crisp distribution and keen sense of positioning, the Danish international contributed significantly in attack. His 20 points, good for the second most on the team, included a memorable strike that was a finalist for Goal of the Year. MIDFIELDER - OSCAR PAREJA - DALLAS BURN For four full seasons, midfielder Oscar Pareja has been the clock that makes the Dallas Burn tick. The 34-year-old Colombian masterfully dictates the pace of a game and his consistency in central midfield has been a key reason the Burn have been able to maintain their unbroken string of playoff appearances. This year is the first in which the Dallas captain has been recognized with this prestigious honor. DEFENDER - WADE BARRETT - SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES The 2002 season has proven to be the coming-out party for San Jose defender Wade Barrett. A member of the Earthquakes since 1998, Barrett earned his first All-Star appearance, his first Best XI selection and an invite to U.S. National Team camp during the League's seventh season. The 26-year-old's move to left back during the 2001 championship year was the turning point for the player previously known for his sideburn looks. DEFENDER - CARLOS BOCANEGRA - CHICAGO FIRE In a season marred by injuries and constant changes to the starting lineup, the Chicago Fire gladly relied on the presence of athletic central defender Carlos Bocanegra. The 2000 Rookie of the Year started 26 games and anchored the third-best back line in the League. The 23-year-old has shown himself ready to assume a key role on a new-look U.S. National Team. DEFENDER - ALEXI LALAS - LOS ANGELES GALAXY In his second season after coming out of retirement, Los Angeles Galaxy defender Alexi Lalas has become the centerpiece of MLS' stingiest defense. Following spot duty in 2001, the 32-year-old is arguably playing the best soccer of his career, consistently registering standout performances. The first-time Best XI selection is also still a threat on the attack - his four goals were second only to Carlos Ruiz's 24 for the Galaxy. GOALKEEPER - TIM HOWARD - METROSTARS In his first year as a starter in 2001, MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard confirmed his promising talents by capturing Goalkeeper of the Year, Best XI and All-Star honors. He nearly replicated the feat one year later, earning an All-Star start and becoming the only returning Best XI member from last season. The 23-year-old future U.S. National Team starter also led the League in saves (140) for the second consecutive season.
Good to see Oscar on there, good that MLS recognizes him being the core of our beloved team. Can't really argue about the rest, except maybe 2.. 1) Bocanegra? I mean hey I didn't watch the goons much this year but was he really that great? 2) Howard? I've seen this guy make some amazing saves and then some unbelievably dumb stuff. I think it would have been more fitting if the Metro's made a better run, I think it kinda contradicts Cannon making the Goalkeeper of the Year thing.
I ran into Oscar Pareja at lunch today at the Loewe's in Plano that is on Central. He had just finished his rehab work in Las Colinas. He was in good spirits about how his knee was recovering. He already is walking on it normally.