MLS Sporting Kansas City

Wizards Defender Jimmy Conrad Named to MLS Best XI

Published on November 22, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


(November 22, 2008) - Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad was voted today to the 2008 Major League Soccer Best XI team. The Best XI is voted on by the league's general managers, coaches, players and media. This is Conrad's fourth Best XI selection, breaking the Wizards all-time team mark (Preki -3). Conrad, who came to Kansas City via a trade with San Jose in 2003, also made the MLS Best XI from 2004-2006.

Conrad, a 10-year veteran, had arguably the best season of his MLS career. He played every minute of the Wizards 30-games this year and was one of only six players to play all 2,700 minutes during the regular season. Conrad finished second on the team in goals with a career-high six (five headers), which ranks as the second most ever in MLS for a central defender. Conrad was also named this season to the Sierra Mist MLS All-Star team and was a Visa Defender of the Year finalist.

"It is always an honor to be recognized with post-season awards," Conrad said. "Soccer is, however, the consummate team sport and it was exciting to see how we grew as a team toward the end of the season and we are all very excited to start preparation for 2009. Looking at who made the MLS Best XI and the quality of players named is something the League and fans should be proud of."

MLS 2008 Best XI:

GOALKEEPER (1): Jon Busch (Chicago Fire)

DEFENDERS (3): Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Bakary Soumare (Chicago Fire), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA)

FORWARDS (2): Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

SuperLiga

The Kansas City Wizards have qualified as one of four teams that will represent Major League Soccer in SuperLiga 2009 under new regulations for qualification, revealed by MLS Commissioner Don Garber in his annual State of the League address Friday in Los Angeles ahead of MLS Cup 2008. SuperLiga™, a premier tournament that pits the best of the United States against the best of Mexico, will return with its third edition.

In 2008, the tournament included a group phase and a knockout phase with all games held in U.S. venues. Eight clubs - four each from the top-flight leagues of the United States and Mexico - played to determine a singular champion of North America. The New England Revolution (MLS) defeated the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and took home $1 million in prize money, the largest purse in North American soccer history.

For more information, please click on: http://www.superliga2008.com/

Qualification for SuperLiga 2009 will be as follows:

The top four teams, based on regular season record, who are not competing in CONCACAF Champions League in 2009, will qualify for SuperLiga 2009. Given these criteria, Chicago Fire, New England Revolution, Kansas City Wizards, and Chivas USA have qualified for SuperLiga 2009 based on their records in 2008.

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Major League Soccer Stories from November 22, 2008


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