MLS team of the season: Star players shine again in 2016
The 2016 MLS season has come to its dramatic end and as the new year approaches, it's time to take a look back at the best of what the league had to offer in its 21st campaign.
With that being said, here is theScore's 2016 MLS team of the season:
Goalkeeper: David Bingham
The San Jose Earthquakes may have endured a quiet year, but David Bingham certainly did not; the 27-year-old Pleasanton native put up solid numbers, posting a 72.6 save percentage and helped his team with consistent play.
Right-back: Keegan Rosenberry
Philadelphia Union rookie Keegan Rosenberry wasn't supposed to make such a huge impact, but the third overall draft pick enjoyed a year when he not only cemented a starting role, but also emerged as an elite right full-back in MLS.
Centre-back: Matt Hedges
Time and time again, Matt Hedges proved his quality in the back line for FC Dallas and the 26-year-old was given the league's Defender of the Year award for his efforts. He deserves a look in Bruce Arena's U.S. men's national team.
Centre-back: Axel Sjoberg
Last year, the Colorado Rapids endured misery, but it all turned around in 2016 due, in large part, to the team's incredible defensive work rate; that's a testament to Axel Sjoberg, who came in and helped take the Rapids to the top.
Left-back: Justin Morrow
Justin Morrow missed Toronto FC's final penalty in the MLS Cup and ended his otherwise superb season in cruel fashion. But for the 29-year-old, 2016 proved his very best; five goals and five assists for a left-back is nothing to scoff at.
Defensive midfielder: Osvaldo Alonso
Immense, as ever, in defensive midfield, Osvaldo Alonso helped guide the Seattle Sounders through troubled waters all year long in the team's quest to capture the MLS Cup; he did just that, injury and all, in service to his club.
Two-way midfielder: Sacha Kljestan
MVP nominee and New York Red Bulls midfield ace Sacha Kljestan did more than enough to deserve a spot in this best XI, scoring six goals and recording 20 assists over 34 matches. That's not too shabby!
Attacking midfielder: Mauro Diaz
It was tough to pick Mauro Diaz over Nicolas Lodeiro in this spot, but with five goals and 13 assists over a whole season's worth of play, coupled with Dallas' spectacular collapse in his absence, Diaz takes it by a knife's edge in the end.
Forward: Sebastian Giovinco
Most combined goals and assists, MVP snub, etc. You've heard it all before. Simply put, Sebastian Giovinco is the best player in MLS bar none.
Forward: Ignacio Piatti
The Montreal Impact may not have had a full season of Didier Drogba to enjoy, but that didn't really matter as Ignacio Piatti stole the spotlight and the show with his quality, mesmerizing skills and penchant for beautiful goals.
Forward: David Villa
Spain's top striker David Villa emerged elite once again as New York City FC enjoyed the fruits of its stars' labour; with Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard in support, Villa scored his way to an MVP prize, with 23 goals at year's end.
The Bench: Andre Blake; Jelle Van Damme, Walker Zimmerman; Nicolas Lodeiro, Shkelzen Gashi, Giovani Dos Santos; Bradley Wright-Phillips