Major League Soccer has announced the 2025 MLS Best XI, celebrating the league’s most outstanding players across all positions. This year’s team comprises representatives from seven countries and nine clubs, with six first-time honorees making their mark on the prestigious list.
The Best XI selection, determined by media members, MLS players, and club technical staff, showcases a remarkable blend of established superstars and emerging talents who dominated the 2025 season. Let’s dive into each position and explore what made these players stand out.
2025 MLS Best XI Complete Lineup
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Forwards: | Denis Bouanga (LAFC) Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC) Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) |
| Midfielders: | Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) Evander (FC Cincinnati) Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC) |
| Defenders: | Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) Alex Freeman (Orlando City) Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union) Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) |
| Goalkeeper: | Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC) |
The Forward Line: Goal-Scoring Excellence
Denis Bouanga – The Record-Breaking Striker
LAFC’s Denis Bouanga etched his name into MLS history by becoming the first player ever to record three consecutive 20-goal seasons. The Gabon international not only surpassed Carlos Vela as LAFC’s all-time leading scorer but also formed a historic attacking partnership with league-record signing Son Heung-Min.
Bouanga’s consistent excellence makes him the first forward to earn Best XI honors in three straight seasons since Josef Martínez accomplished the feat from 2017-19. His ability to deliver at the highest level year after year has cemented his legacy as one of MLS’s greatest-ever strikers.
Anders Dreyer – The Sensational Newcomer
San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer produced one of the most impressive debut seasons in MLS history. The Danish international tied the league record for most goal contributions by a first-year player with an incredible 38 (19 goals, 19 assists).
His exceptional performances earned him the MLS Newcomer of the Year award while helping San Diego FC set the single-season points record for an expansion club with 63 points. Dreyer’s impact was instrumental in securing the Western Conference top seed, proving that elite talent can immediately transform a team’s fortunes.
Lionel Messi – The Golden Boot Winner
Lionel Messi captured the MLS Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer with 29 goals and added 19 assists for good measure. His 48 goal contributions fell just one short of Carlos Vela’s league record of 49 set in 2019.
The Argentine legend’s stellar numbers and leadership at Inter Miami CF have positioned him as the favorite to become the first-ever back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP. At 38 years old, Messi continues to demonstrate why he’s considered one of the greatest players in soccer history.
The Midfield: Creativity and Control
Sebastian Berhalter – The Breakout Star
Sebastian Berhalter enjoyed a career-defining season as the midfield engine of a record-setting Vancouver Whitecaps side. The 24-year-old helped the Whitecaps establish club benchmarks with 63 points and 66 goals scored while reaching the Concacaf Champions Cup final.
His outstanding performances earned him a call-up to the USMNT, where he played a key role in their runner-up finish at the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. Berhalter’s emergence represents the next generation of American talent making waves in MLS.
Evander – Back-to-Back Excellence
After earning Best XI honors with Portland Timbers in 2024, Evander remained among the league’s elite during his debut season with FC Cincinnati. The Brazilian playmaker posted impressive numbers with 18 goals and 15 assists as Cincinnati finished second in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
Evander joined exclusive company by becoming just the third player in MLS history with back-to-back 15-goal, 15-assist seasons, alongside Messi and Toronto FC legend Sebastian Giovinco. His consistency across different teams proves his world-class quality.
Cristian Roldan – The Complete Midfielder
Cristian Roldan’s 11th season with Seattle Sounders FC was arguably his finest. The veteran midfielder led his team in minutes played (2,633), games started (30), and passes completed (1,849).
Remarkably, Roldan was the only MLS player to complete more than 1,800 passes while registering at least nine assists and scoring three or more goals. His exceptional form during Seattle’s Leagues Cup 2025 title run earned him a return to the USMNT under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The Defense: Steel at the Back
Tristan Blackmon – Defender of the Year
Fresh off winning MLS Defender of the Year honors, Tristan Blackmon adds a Best XI selection to his impressive 2025 résumé. The 29-year-old anchored a Vancouver backline that conceded the second-fewest goals in MLS (38) and kept the joint-second-most clean sheets (13).
In Blackmon’s 25 league appearances, the Whitecaps allowed just 1.08 goals per game, showcasing his defensive consistency and leadership qualities that transformed Vancouver into one of the league’s toughest teams to break down.
Alex Freeman – The Rising Defender
Orlando City’s Alex Freeman represents one of the most meteoric rises in recent MLS history. The 21-year-old right back started 2025 as an MLS NEXT Pro prospect and finished as an MLS All-Star, Young Player of the Year, and a key USMNT defender with his sights set on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With six goals and three assists, Freeman recorded the second-most goals among MLS defenders and fourth-most key passes (42) in the league. His attacking contributions from defense make him one of the most exciting young talents in American soccer.
Jakob Glesnes – The Returning Champion
Jakob Glesnes returns to the Best XI for the first time since winning the 2022 MLS Defender of the Year award. The 31-year-old Norwegian center back recorded the second-most minutes (2,626) for the best defense in MLS as Philadelphia conceded the fewest goals (35) en route to their second Supporters’ Shield title.
Glesnes earned his third All-Star selection in 2025, demonstrating his sustained excellence at the heart of one of MLS’s most formidable defenses.
Kai Wagner – The Assist King
Kai Wagner returns to the Best XI for the first time since 2022 as a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s league-best defense. The left back topped MLS defenders in assists for another season with 11 helpers while adding two goals and leading the Union in minutes played (2,769).
As Philadelphia’s all-time leader in assists, Wagner continues to redefine what’s possible from the fullback position, combining defensive solidity with exceptional attacking creativity.
The Goalkeeper: World-Class Shot-Stopping
Dayne St. Clair – Goalkeeper of the Year
Dayne St. Clair earned his Best XI selection shortly after being named the 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. The Canadian international led Minnesota United to their best-ever season (58 points) while notching a career-best 10 clean sheets and 113 saves in 30 appearances.
St. Clair was the only goalkeeper in MLS to record a goals-against average of 1.00 or fewer, complemented by his league-best 77.93 save percentage. His exceptional form has positioned him as Canada’s likely starter for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Lead the Way
Two clubs dominated the 2025 Best XI selection, with each having two representatives. Supporters’ Shield winners Philadelphia Union (Glesnes and Wagner) and Concacaf Champions Cup finalists Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Berhalter and Blackmon) showcased the organizational excellence that propelled them to historic seasons.
Philadelphia’s defensive dominance, allowing just 35 goals across the entire season, was built on the foundation of Glesnes and Wagner’s contributions at both ends of the field. Meanwhile, Vancouver’s remarkable transformation into Western Conference contenders was anchored by Berhalter’s midfield brilliance and Blackmon’s defensive mastery.
First-Time Honorees Making Their Mark
Six players earned Best XI recognition for the first time in 2025, highlighting the constant evolution of talent in Major League Soccer:
- Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC) – Record-breaking debut season
- Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) – Breakout midfield star
- Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC) – Career-best 11th season
- Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) – Defender of the Year
- Alex Freeman (Orlando City) – Young Player of the Year phenomenon
- Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC) – Goalkeeper of the Year
These first-time selections demonstrate MLS’s depth of talent and the league’s ability to develop and attract world-class players across all positions.
What the 2025 MLS Best XI Tells Us About MLS
The 2025 MLS Best XI reflects several important trends shaping the league:
Rising American Talent: With players like Freeman, Berhalter, and Roldan earning recognition, American-developed talent continues to reach world-class levels in MLS.
Expansion Success: San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer proves that expansion teams can immediately compete at the highest level with the right talent acquisition.
Defensive Excellence: Philadelphia’s Supporters’ Shield triumph, built on league-best defensive numbers, shows that championship-caliber teams still prioritize defensive organization.
Global Stars Delivering: Messi and Bouanga continue to demonstrate that international superstars can thrive in MLS while elevating the league’s profile worldwide.
Young Player Development: Alex Freeman’s journey from MLS NEXT Pro to Best XI and USMNT recognition showcases the league’s successful player development pathway.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we celebrate the 2025 MLS Best XI, attention now turns to the 2026 MLS season and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Several Best XI honorees, including Messi, Berhalter, Freeman, Roldan, and St. Clair, are expected to represent their nations on soccer’s biggest stage.
The 2025 season raised the bar for individual excellence in MLS, with record-breaking performances becoming the norm rather than the exception. As the league continues to attract top talent and develop homegrown stars, future Best XI selections promise to be even more competitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who won the 2025 MLS Best XI?
A: The 2025 MLS Best XI includes Denis Bouanga, Anders Dreyer, Lionel Messi, Sebastian Berhalter, Evander, Cristian Roldan, Tristan Blackmon, Alex Freeman, Jakob Glesnes, Kai Wagner, and Dayne St. Clair across all positions.
Q: How is the MLS Best XI selected?
A: The Best XI is determined by a combination of votes from media members, MLS players, and MLS club technical staffs, ensuring multiple perspectives on player performance throughout the season.
Q: Who won the MLS Golden Boot in 2025?
A: Lionel Messi won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals, along with 19 assists for 48 total goal contributions.
Q: How many first-time Best XI players were selected in 2025?
A: Six players earned Best XI honors for the first time in 2025: Anders Dreyer, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Tristan Blackmon, Alex Freeman, and Dayne St. Clair.
Q: Which team had the most players in the 2025 MLS Best XI?
A: Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps FC each had two players in the 2025 Best XI, the most of any clubs.
Q: Did Denis Bouanga break any MLS records in 2025?
A: Yes, Denis Bouanga became the first player in MLS history to record three consecutive 20-goal seasons and surpassed Carlos Vela as LAFC’s all-time leading scorer.
Q: Who was the youngest player in the 2025 MLS Best XI?
A: Alex Freeman of Orlando City was the youngest at 21 years old, also winning the MLS Young Player of the Year award.
Q: How many countries are represented in the 2025 MLS Best XI?
A: The 2025 Best XI represents seven different countries, showcasing MLS’s global appeal and diverse talent pool.
Q: Who won MLS Defender of the Year in 2025?
A: Tristan Blackmon of Vancouver Whitecaps FC won the 2025 MLS Defender of the Year award before being named to the Best XI.
Q: Is Lionel Messi favored to win MLS MVP again?
A: Yes, Messi is favored to become the first-ever back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP winner after his Golden Boot-winning 2025 season.
Stay tuned to The Soccer Era for more MLS coverage, including award winners, playoff analysis, and 2026 season previews as we continue following the best league in North America.