MLS Team of the Season: LA Galaxy season fizzles out but Ibrahimovic is a hit

Now the regular season is done and dusted, here is the WhoScored MLS Team of the Regular Season.

Goalkeeper: Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls) – 6.86 rating

New York Red Bulls finished two points clear of Atlanta United at the top of the Eastern Conference and had the best defensive record in the whole of MLS, with Luis Robles keeping the most clean sheets (14). Of goalkeepers that made at least 15 appearances, only Stefan Frei (76.7%) had a better save success rate than Robles (73.9%).

Right-back: Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) – 7.33 rating

Graham Zusi played a direct hand in six goals (two goals, four assists) and was denied the chance to better that tally after hitting the woodwork on five occasions. The 32-year-old attempted the most crosses (210) in MLS, while only two players attempted more passes in the opposition half than the Montreal Impact veteran (1451).

Centre-back: Walker Zimmerman (Los Angeles FC) – 7.19 rating

Only Larrys Mabiala (5) scored more goals than Walker Zimmerman of all centre-backs in MLS this season (4), helping Los Angeles FC to a third place finish in their maiden Western Conference campaign. Only three players won more aerial duels per game than Zimmerman (4).

Centre-back: Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls) – 7.10 rating

Luis Robles was integral to New York Red Bulls’ defensive record but centre-back Aaron Long also played an important part. The 26-year-old won two WhoScored Man of the Match awards, won three aerial duels per game and made 4.3 clearances per game. Only two players in MLS won possession in the defensive third more times than Long (130).

Left-back: Mohamed El-Munir (Orlando City) – 7.31 rating

Orlando City endured a season to forget and Mohamed El-Munir was one of few positives. The 26-year-old was one of only two players in MLS to complete at least 100 tackles, while only three players average more dribbles per game (3). Orlando City players only won 11 WhoScored Man of the Match awards and El-Munir was responsible for four of them.

Right midfield: Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps) – 7.55 rating

Alphonso Davies will move to Bayern Munich in January after turning in a series of eye-catching displays for Vancouver Whitecaps this season. The 17-year-old scored eight goals and provided nine assists, winning the WhoScored Man of the Match award on six occasions. The teenager completed the most dribbles in the regular season (130).

Centre Midfield: Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United) – 7.77 rating

The Atlanta United creator played a direct hand in 23 goals in 32 MLS regular season appearances (12 goals, 11 assists) and was the only player to hit double figures for WhoScored Man of the Match awards (10). Only team-mate Josef Martinez (56) hit the target with more shots than the 24-year-old (51), while finishing as one of only four players to register at least 10 accurate through balls.

Centre Midfield: Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders) – 7.72 rating

Seattle Sounders were losing finalists in the MLS final last term and Nicolas Lodeiro has spearheaded their campaign to go one further this season. Lodeiro scored eight goals and provided 12 assists in 27 league games, while carving out the joint-most clear-cut chances (17). The 29-year-old Uruguayan was also the most fouled player during the regular season (94).

Left midfield: Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact) -7.70 rating

Montreal Impact failed to make the play-offs and Ignacio Piatti could have done with more support in attack. The veteran forward played a direct hand in more than 57% of the Impact’s goals. Not only that, but the 33-year-old attempted the most dribbles (219) during the regular season.

Striker: Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC) – 7.79 rating

Carlos Vela has enjoyed a hugely successful first campaign in MLS, firing new franchise Los Angeles FC into the play-offs. The 29-year-old scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists in 28 league games. Furthermore, only Darwin Quintero (15) made more accurate through balls than the Mexico international (12).

Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy) – 7.84 rating

Saving the best until last, Zlatan Ibrahimovic finished his first MLS season as the highest WhoScored rated player (7.84). The 37-year-old played a direct hand in 28 goals in 27 league games, with only Josef Martinez (31) netting more goals than the iconic Swede (22). The Galaxy dramatically missed out on a play-off berth on the final day of the season and Ibrahimovic will be a big loss in the business end of the competition.