With the end of 2009 lots of people are putting together lists on the "best of the decade" stuff. Soccer America has put out their MLS All-Decade team. The Wizards are represented pretty well on the list, with 2 current and 2 former Wizards on the team.
The only representative on the Best XI team is the Wizards current captain, Jimmy Conrad. Conrad was selected to the Best XI team 3 times and earned one Defender of the Year award in the decade. Goalkeepers Tony Meola and Kevin Hartman were named to the reserve squad. Meola was MLS MVP in 2000 and was a consistent performer for both KC and New York. Hartman became the MLS all time leader in most goalkeeping categories during this decade. Also on the list is the best player in Wizards history (and I don't think anyone can argue that point), Preki. While Preki was an MVP in this decade his only playing in half the decade is why he's likely not on the first team. There is one former Wizard who did not make the list that I thought probably deserved a mention. That player is Nick Garcia who has been in the league since 2000 and while he hasn't brought in the awards has been a strong defender in the league.
UPDATE: Had this pointed out to me as I missed it originally, but Diego Gutierrez is on the list as well. While he's only listed as being on Chicago, Gutierrez played for the Wizards from 02-05. During that time he was the club captain in 04 and 05 and won the US Open Cup.
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ReplyDeleteHope to see this team in soccer World Cup 2010.
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