LOS ANGELES.- The Argentinian Lionel Messithe Colombian Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernández and the Spanish Riqui Puig were included this Tuesday in the best eleven of the North American League (MLS) season, from which the Uruguayan was left out Luis Suarez.
The veteran forward of the Inter Miami He did not obtain a place in the ideal lineup despite shining in his debut campaign in the MLS with 20 goals and nine assists in the regular season.
The group of four forwards was led by Messi (20 goals and 16 assists), Suárez’s teammate at Inter and favorite for the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award.
The Argentine star received this recognition for the first time, since in his debut in the MLS in 2023 he was barely able to play six games.
Spanish defender Jordi Alba was also included in the eleven by Inter Miami, a squad that dominated the regular phase, but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
The other three forwards selected were ‘Cucho’ Hernández (19 goals and 14 assists), from Columbus Crew; the Gabonese Denis Bouanga (20 and 11), from Los Angeles FC, and the Belgian Christian Benteke (23 and 7), from DC United.
For the midfield, the Argentine Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati), the Brazilian Evander (Portland Timbers) and the Spanish Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy) were chosen.
The former Barcelona player also debuts in the ideal eleven after leading the Galaxy until Saturday’s MLS final against the New York Red Bulls, in which he will be out due to a knee injury.
Rest of the team
The selected defenders were Jordi Alba, the Colombian Yeimar Gómez (Seattle Sounders) and the Cape Verdean Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), while the goalkeeper was the Croatian Kristijan Kahlina (Charlotte FC).
This eleven was formed in a vote of journalists, players and technical staff of the teams carried out at the close of the regular phase.
