Notebook: Joseph Named to MLS Best XI

Revs Will Also Compete in SuperLiga in 2009

November 25, 2008

Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph was voted to the 2008 Major League Soccer Best XI team for the third time, the league announced over the weekend.

Shalrie Joseph

Shalrie Joseph was named to the MLS Best XI. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com).

Joseph’s imposing physical presence and ability to control the game both on the ground and in the air have made him a key component in the New England midfield. In 2008, he played 2,384 minutes in 27 MLS games while scoring one goal and adding one assist to earn his second consecutive Best XI honor.

In outside competitions, Joseph also anchored the Revolution’s SuperLiga 2008 title, scoring three goals to tie for the lead in the international competition. His game-tying goal against Houston in the championship game set the stage for the team’s championship in penalty kicks.

Joseph, who also made the team in 2005 and 2007, is joined on the MLS Best XI team by goalkeeper Jon Busch (Chicago Fire); defenders Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Bakary Soumare (Chicago Fire) and Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew); midfielders Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Guillermo Barros Scholotto (Columbus Crew), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew) and Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA); and forwards Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy) and Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas).

The Best XI is voted on by the league’s general managers, coaches, players and media, and represents the top players at each position for the season.

Revs’ Notes

Speaking of SuperLiga, the Revs also announced that they will be competing in the tournament again in 2009.

New England will be joined in the tournament by fellow MLS clubs Chicago Fire, Kansas City Wizards and Chivas USA. The four Mexican participants as well as group pairings, dates and locations for the matches, will be announced at a later date.

The competition includes a group phase and knockout phase, with – in previous years – all games held at U.S. venues. The Revs won it all last year, although some close to the team questioned if so many extra tournaments tired the club down the stretch.

Last year, New England defeated MLS-rival Houston, 6-5 on penalty kicks, after a 2-2 draw in the 2008 title match on Aug. 5 at Gillette Stadium, capping their first-ever SuperLiga appearance with a championship.

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