No Beckham on MLS All-Star Team

Major League Soccer announced its all-star team today and a certain England midfielder was missing from the lineup.

The MLS all-stars (Best XI) are chosen by the media, MLS players, MLS coaches and general managers.

Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton earned his second career Best XI nod. This year’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year, Thornton was a Best XI member in 1998 when he helped lead the Chicago Fire to an MLS Cup championship.

The Best XI defense includes Chad Marshall, a two-time Best XI member and this year’s Visa Defender of the Year. Joining Marshall on the back line are two first-time recipients – the Houston Dynamo’s Geoff Cameron and the Chicago Fire’s Wilman Conde.

The star-studded midfield includes two four-time honorees, Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), and Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC). Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) earned his third selection. MLS Newcomer of the Year finalist Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders FC) earned MLS Best XI honors for the first time, as did Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo).

The 2009 Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), joins his closest suitor in that race, Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids) at forward. Cunningham was named to the team for a third time, while this is the first Best XI selection for Casey.

2009 MLS BEST XI
GOALKEEPER (1): Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)

DEFENDERS (3): Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Wilman Conde (Chicago Fire), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders FC)

FORWARDS (2): Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas)

What do you think of the line-up? Who should have made it and who should not?