It is tempting to approach the final entry of the 2006 All-America XI column as we have most of the previous 28: wittily with a side of insight (at least, that’s how we see ourselves!). But after thinking about the final regular season weekend, we decided that a better approach would be to comment on the terrific slate of games that a viewer with MLS DirectKick or MLSLIVEtv had access to. Well, DirectKick or MLSLIVEtv and HDNet. And ESPN2. Or Fox Soccer Channel.

But wait; that discussion about viewing options threatened to dip into witty and/or insightful range. The point is, lots of good games were broadcast last weekend. The two games with playoff implications really lived up to the hype, with a total of eleven goals scored in the two games and several near misses as exciting as most of the goals. A pair of misses by Dwayne DeRosario - both on breakaway opportunities - drove RSL fans crazy as the 3-3 tie between Houston and Colorado knocked them out of the playoff race. But for the neutral fan, seeing the Rapids come back from a goal down three times in the same game was well worth the investment of time. Luckily, refereeing decisions had nothing to do with that outcome, so RSL fans weren’t left to rue a game changing call, but Kansas City fans weren’t so fortunate. Needing only a tie, KC gave up two penalty kicks and ended up losing the game and the final playoff spot to New York - and gave Wizards players and fans reason to rue the calls.

Terrific goals abounded in the Galaxy-FC Dallas game, with all seven worthy of repeated viewing. A tense defensive affair featuring New England and Columbus was the weekend’s anomaly, though the 1-1 draw between RSL and Chivas generated only slightly more attacking soccer. But the Chicago-DC United match provided the best single moment of the weekend: the scintillating series of passes strung together by the Fire that led to Andy Herron’s emphatic game winner.

In short, it was a terrific weekend to be a fan of Major League Soccer, even if your team didn’t get the result it needed to keep the season going. It is to be savored as we prepare for the playoffs and off season, and await the return of MLS in the Spring.
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The final AAXI for the season features the unlikely return of the 6-2-2 formation, with a few caveats. First, we all know that Jonathan Bornstein will be a key contributor in the Chivas attack regardless of whether he officially lines up at defense, midfield, or forward. Second, Todd Dunivant played in the defensive mold of Bixente Lizarazu or Roberto Carlos (in other words, hardly defensively). Third, Craig Waibel became a scoring machine, meaning that only half of the defenders on the list focused on, well, defense. It’s as close to a 3-5-2 as a 6-2-2 can get.

Matt Pickens – (2)

is one of two starting goalkeepers in the Eastern Conference who are keeping their more famous teammates on the bench (Jon Conway being the other). In this case, Zach Thornton continues to ride the bench as he has since returning from injury. On the last weekend of the season, Pickens was good enough to stop everyone (he had 8 saves) except Christian Gomez in the win over DC.

Eddie Pope – (6)

played almost flawlessly for RSL in the season ending draw with Chivas USA. He kept the defense organized when the team switched from four to three in the back, made incisive passes out of the back, cleared several dangerous balls, and popped up in the box on offensive forays when necessary. Pope quietly played as well as any defender in the league over the last two months of the season in what remained a very patchwork group.

Jonathan Bornstein – (9)

lined up as a defender if the line up is to be believed. But why not? He appeared on the AAXI in all three field positions over the course of the year, and seemed to pop up on the offensive end whenever Chivas needed him. The runaway rookie of the year, Bornstein was part of a draft that made the difference in Chivas being a playoff team and being on the outside looking in.

Todd Dunivant – (1)

whose brilliantly weighted chip pass to Henderson was largely responsible for earning the Red Bulls first penalty kick, also makes the list. Dunivant came within inches of the goal of the week when his first half blast nearly broke the Meadowlands crossbar. Dunivant played like a left back who knew his team needed a win, critically. Might have come in handy against, oh, let’s say, Ghana, just to pick a game out of a hat.

Tim Regan – (6)

gains the nomination for playing the role of the savvy veteran on the Chivas backline. It was amazing that they didn’t give up more goals - and the goal posts deserve part of the credit - but Regan kept things sane and showed that he’s actually learned a few points from the veteranisimos, Claudio Suarez and Carlos Llamosa.

Craig Waibel – (5)

almost single handedly kept RSL in the playoff picture by willing Houston to the victory over Colorado. His pair of goals and generally solid defense kept the Rapids at bay for much of the game, highlighting what the HDNet broadcasters kept refering to as the Comeback Player of the Year performance.

Pablo Mastroeni – (5)

was at fault on none of the trio of Dynamo goals. In fact, without a great game from Mastroeni, the Dynamo total would have been higher. On a night when Mike Petke was out with on a red card, Aitor Karanka was uncharateristically weak on defense, and Dan Gargan and Matt Crawford were subpar, Mastroeni had to go it almost totally alone as his team did just enough to earn the draw and eke into the playoffs.

Cobi Jones – (2)

has spent eleven memorable seasons with the Galaxy. And in those eleven years he had few nights to match the offensive output he contributed against FC Dallas. His fourth goal of the year and assists 2-4 meant that he had a hand in four of the five Galaxy goals. Not bad for an old man like him.

Chris Armas – (2)

controlled the midfield for Chicago in the team’s victory over DC United. Even the ESPN2 announcing crew of Rob Stone and Eric Wynalda - normally blind to any contributor not on the score sheet - named Armas player of the game.

Landon Donovan – (6)

only had two goals and an assist. We say “only,” because he rampaged through the Dallas team so thoroughly that he seemed as likely to end with a half dozen goals as two. Some fans might’ve expected the disinterested Donovan to show up, since the game didn’t matter, but show up he did. He finishes with 12 goals in what is generally considered a lackluster year.

Herculez Gomez – (1)

might have only gotten the start because recent first eleven choice Alan Gordon injured himself in practice this week. But for the first time this season, he looked like the player who had some USNT fans thinking call-up last year. With two assists and a goal on a night he made Chris Gbandi look foolish, Gomez played very well.
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• Header by ismitje.
• List compiled and edited by ismitje.
• All typos and errors should be blamed on Don Garber.

Don Garber sat as his desk, frozen in stunned silence. A league employee had just handed him and instant messenger transcript, captured from a PC at the offices of the Red Bulls that demanded his attention. But the right course of action wasn’t clear. The fear foremost in Garber’s mind: what would he do if the transcript got into the hands of the AAXI?

Well, of course we got it. Somehow, we always do.

ilBruce: u there?
really20: yup. haven’t heard from u in a while. wuzzup?
ilBruce: wanted to c u again. moving to ny hasn’t been that great.
really20: should’ve worked out that trade. that guy jozy isn’t working out?
ilBruce: don’t get me wrong – on the field, he’s been great. he’s a no go on the other stuff – only 16 and not really into that kind of stuff.
really20: ive told u – not my thing, either. don’t you know ‘bout my girl jojo?
ilBruce: was sure that was a cover. looks like i’ll be back in old va after next week – we’ve only got the one more game, i’m pretty sure. youre not seeing pele again behind my back, are you?
really20: whatever, dude. nobody gives it up for sierra mist. besides, u got your little midget up there with u now. nice work getting him that job, than yanking it away from him right away.
ilBruce: don’t remind me – he hasn’t been the same since. had to bring in harkes just to make the peace. but come see me later this month – you’ll have fun – just ask convey.
really20: dude, why do you think he was desperate to get to England for like three whole years. i bet u put the work permit committee up to that bs.
ilBruce: yeah that was awesome. played the guy every minute for like two years, then told the committee he actually sucked (no pun intended) that was awesome. anyway, why u so hostile?
really20: it wasn’t too cool inviting me to camp last winter just to “hang out.” and telling me that ld used to do it was all kinds of wrong. you’d never so that to deuce – he’d cut you.
ilBruce: so I guess that’s a no?
really20: buddy, run for congress – you’ll have a better shot. and stay the *!#& out of the dc locker room during the playoffs.
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For the penultimate edition of the 2006 AAXI, we present you with a 2-6-2, which may be the only line up we haven’t trotted out yet this year.

Brad Guzan – (3)

didn’t get the memo that Bob Bradley secretly WANTED Chivas to lose, to sabotage the Red Bulls’ playoff chances. Jason Hernandez WAS in on the deal with Bob, allowing multiple free breaks through the central defense, and even conceding a crucial penalty on an ugly, stupid tackle where he whiffed the diving Josh Wolff but still richly merited being called for the penalty. Guzan stuffed at least two clear-cut breakaways with great anticipation, and was just a little more fingertip away from stopping a penalty and being the guaranteed goalkeeper for the AAXI.

Hunter Freeman – (1)

what can you say about a youngster who anchors his defense from the wing very effectively, AND picks a fight with Dema Kovalenko in the same game? You put him on the AAXI. Freeman already looks like a lock to become a solid MLS vet; he’s on that relatively long list of guys who may get their first cap during the next couple of years. A solid youth Nats resume has him on the radar.

Jose Burciaga Jr. – (2)

didn’t have the consistent match one might have hoped, but his highs were so high that it’s impossible to keep him off of this week’s list. Jose’s free kicks were as solid as any we see in this league, and putting the ball on the head of new teammate Dave van den Bergh proved to be an awfully good idea. (Also a good idea, Chivas - defending the tall Dutch guy you’ve never seen before. Who knows, he’s tall - maybe he’s good in the air. Just a thought.) Burciaga’s ice-in-the-veins penalty kick may prove to be the signature moment putting the Wizards into the playoffs. He plays with as much attitude as any other (good) player in the league.

Jonathan Bornstein – (8)

drew the penalty that briefly led to cheers from our New York contingent of committee members. Let’s just say we wanted the ball at his feet as much as possible, hoping that a forward pass to Matt Taylor wasn’t in his plans. Chivas used to have forwards, right? Still the most creative, dynamic American rookie since Dempsey’s rookie year in ‘04, and we mean that as a compliment, and not as a diss to Kenny Cooper.

Davy Arnaud – (3)

hustled harder than anyone on the field. A pair of brilliant through balls to Josh Wolff led to great opportunities, though each pass had the fatal flaw of … being a pass to Josh Wolff. If not for Jose Burciaga Jr.’s eye-popping highlight reel, Arnaud was a sure thing to be MOTM in a crucial win.

Clint Dempsey – (5)

scored a beautiful goal, beating at least three defenders and the keeper, continuously threatened the DC United goal, and, just for grins, cleared a ball out of the Revs box with a bicycle kick.

Eddie Gaven – (2)

has absorbed more criticism (much of it deserved) than just about any other player in MLS this season. But he keeps coming, showing flashes of brilliance that hint that he may still flourish and be the player we all hope he’ll become. A goal and an assist in the Crew romp over the Fire highlight his potential - and merit him an AAXI place this week.

Carey Talley – (4)

returned from red card suspension and willed RSL to a tie against Houston, which kept his team’s faltering playoff hopes alive. Jeff Cunningham’s scoring prowess gets the glory, but Talley’s yeoman work is the main driving force in pushing the second year team towards respectability.

Kenny Cooper – (10)

took a long time to convince us not to nominate Chris Albright this week, but when he beat Albright for Dallas’ second goal, and we realized that Albright also lost Ruiz for the first FC goal, we knew Kenny had it wrapped up. Purportedly a midfielder according to the lineup card, Kenny was given free range of the field, leading to being in position in front of the net when necessary, and even leading to a sweet combination with Ronnie O’Brien and Richard Mulrooney while the entire Dallas midfield decided to have tea on the right flank. Kenny looks good with the ball at his feet … and is even more effective than he looks.

Jason Garey – (2)

better not be magically traded to a playoff-bound team from the Eastern Conference, because Chicago was at a total loss as to how to defend him on Saturday. But who knows - this is the MLS, where strange player transfers sometimes take place - watch out, Fire!

Landon Donovan – (5)

surely deserved better. Donovan was clearly the best player on the field, helping set up numerous Galaxy opportunities with deft touches, including notable long passes to Alan Gordon and Chris Albright. A brilliant chest trap and volley blast (that the committee confesses to practicing repeatedly against the garage) capped off an individual performance that wasn’t enough against superior opposition. Did Donovan show up for this game because it was a must-win for the Galaxy playoff hopes, or because he wanted to look extra-sweet in High Definition? We’re going with the HD thing. Here’s hoping he takes next week off, gets his longest rest in at least eight years, and comes back with renewed purpose for a new Nats coach.
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• Header by Casper. (No, really! ismitje didn’t write it this time!)
• But ismitje did compile and edit the list with input from the AAXI contributors.
• All typos and errors should be blamed on Giorgio “fugitive from justice” Chinaglia.

Ah, that we would be preparing for a 16 team league next season! We aren’t that far from it having been reality. Toronto FC’s debut will make thirteen teams in our “national” league, and since we’ve had three MLS markets disappear in the past ten years, we could be preparing for Toronto to re-balance the league at an even 16 instead of unbalancing it at 13. It would be terrific to have Tampa Bay, Miami, and San Jose on board for the 2007 season.

But we at the AAXI can’t help but wonder how having those teams in the league still would have changed the composition of the weekly AAXI teams. What Yanks would have stood out for the Earthquakes, Mutiny, and Fusion in 2006? We present two players who might have stood out for each of the three teams.

Cam Weaver - F - Tampa Bay took a few months to overcome first year jitters. But once he settled in with the Mutiny, the rookie who moved up from the USL’s Seattle Sounders had a better year at forward than any other first year player besides Jonathan Bornstein.

Preki - M - Miami found himself on the outs with Kansas City at the end of the 2005 season, but rather than accept an offer to become an assistant coach with Bob Bradley at Chivas USA, he returned to southern Florida to spend a second season with the Fusion. And while he has not been a regular starter with the Fusion, the veteran had a few good games left in the tank as a spot starter and twenty minute specialist.

Troy Dayak - D - San Jose managed an amazing recovery from what many feared was a career-ending injury during the 2005 season. Dayak returned from an offseason stint as coach of the MISL’s California Cougars to serve as the inspirational leader of the revamped Earthquakes defense, as San Jose fans cheered for their long time favorite as he snagged a series of AAXI nominations.

Eric Denton - D - Tampa Bay spent his sixth season with the Mutiny following the trade that brought him to Tampa Bay from DC United. A fixture in defense, Denton also continued to show an occasional propensity to get forward and threaten the goal. The poor man’s Chris Albright, the Santa Clara grad made the AAXI a handful of times and remained the face of Tampa Bay Mutiny soccer.

Scott Vallow - GK - Miami finally broke out in MLS the way he stood out for Rochester many seasons. The former backup to Scott Garlick, Joe Cannon, and Pat Onstad found a steady spot in a fifteen team MLS after not catching on in earlier stints with New England, Colorado, and Dallas.

Joey Gjertsen - F - San Jose moved south from the USL’s Vancouver Whitecaps to join the Earthquakes following a solid rookie season. The Tacoma native came to MLS with little fanfare, but the Evergreen State College graduate steadily increased his playing time over the course of the season and made his way onto the AAXI a time or two by the time the season wrapped up.

But let’s get back to the existing squads and this week’s team. Finally some offense for the AAXI! It may have taken until week 27, but the defense-heavy formations of the past few months give way this week to a 2-4-4. How good was the collective attacking midfield group and forwards? So good that there is no spot this week for Brian Ching and his stunning game winning goal.
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Troy Perkins – (7)

had a great game. He had no chance at all on Brian Ching’s amazing goal. As for the rest of this game, he stopped Ching point-blank early in the second half and showed complete command of his box. We’re not sure there’s a keeper in the league who is better coming off his line into traffic.

Bobby Boswell – (4)

played very well all night and did not seem to be at fault on Ching’s goal. He stoned Dwayne DeRosario several times when the Canadian was burning down the field. Most defenders get left clutching at air, but the Boz timed his tackles perfectly.

Chris Albright – (4)

had a blinder of a game. He absolutely owned the right side of the field in the Chivas match on both offense and defense, and put in a pair of terrific assists. You really can’t say enough about how well he played. Some people may ask where another exciting, attacking MLS defender is on this list, but unlike Albright, Jose Burciaga didn’t play much defense on against RSL.

Brad Davis – (4)

whipped good cross after good cross in against DC United all game long. He was finally rewarded when Paul Daglish flicked on the cross that Brian Ching hammered home, but Davis’s play impressed throughout the match.

Steve Ralston – (2)

was perfect on dead balls for New England against Colorado. His penalty kick early in the match beat Cannon despite the Rapids goalie being three yards off his line, and his perfectly driven free kick led to the Revolution’s second goal. Even though he didn’t distinguish himself over his Rev teammates during the run of play, Ralston was solid, meaning that his overall work justifies his spot on this week’s AAXI.

Brian Mullan – (6)

wasn’t his typical marauding self but he still showed why he’s one of the best midfielders in the league. He matched the tireless Josh Gros stride-for-stride all night and played some excellent defense to help limit DC’s offense.

Jacob Thomas – (5)

was inserted in to the match in the second half he changed it all around and led the Crew to two goals to put the game out of FCD’s reach. The first being a rocket off a free kick that was 30 yards out - too bad there’s no video from this one; it was glorious although it still wouldn’t have beaten Ching’s bicycle for MLS Goal of the Week.

Josmer Altidore – (3)

is almost single handedly keeping New York in the race to make the playoffs. With his second game winning goal in three games, and third straight game with a goal, Altidore justified Bruce Arena’s decision to give the 16 year old his first starting spot.

Josh Wolff – (5)

was involved in all three Kansas City goals. Had Wolff played like this more often this season, KC wouldn’t be fighting for their playoff lives. But this is the weekly AAXI, not the season AAXI, and Wolff belongs here. The goal he scored was pure power, and got the Wizards off on the right foot.

Jason Kreis – (5)

netted a terrific equalizer that earned Real a precious point on the road at Kansas City. After RSL went down a goal early in the game, Kreis dropped back to let other players loose on the attack, and he blocked a good chance for KC early in the second half. But needing a goal, RSL pushed Kreis forward, and he hit a powerful header off the post that he followed up and knocked home for his eighth of the season.

Alan Gordon – (2)

is growing into a pretty good forward. His assist on Pete Vagenas’ goal was very well done and scored himself on an unstoppable header late in the game. The AAXI staff isn’t sure if he’s a target forward like Ching or a poacher like Taylor Twellman or something else, but he looked pretty good Saturday night against Chivas USA.
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• And ismitje said, “Let there be an AAXI header”; and there was an AAXI header.
• And ismitje said, “Let the best players in MLS be gathered together into one place, and let the AAXI list appear.” And it was so.
• All typos and errors should be blamed on ismitje. That’s the price you pay for omnipotence.

There comes a week every season where the AAXI staff has a hard time coming up with a full slate of eleven Yank players with whom to fill out a squad. In a way, it is amazing that we’ve made it this long in Season Eleven before encountering the problem. But the truth is, sometimes we can’t justify eleven, and don’t want to put someone on the team just for the sake of having them there.

The reasons for this scenario involve two factors. The most obvious one is that international players stood out last week. Certainly Trinidadian Scott Sealy, Guatemalan Carlos Ruiz, Irishman Andy Dorman, Argentine Christian Gomez, Canadian Dwayne DeRosario, and Mexican Panchito Mendoza had terrific games last week. But usually such games by international players don’t come at the expense of strong performances by Yanks; this week they did.

This brings us to the second factor. Most of the games last weekend were tense affairs, featuring cautious teams trying not to lose and so not risking much in attack (the exceptions being the DC United-New York Red Bulls 4-3 barnburner and a furious Galaxy attack stymied by Matt Pickens). This means that despite several low scoring games, only one American defender got the nod (Greg Vanney). Our reasoning? It isn’t particularly hard to keep the score down when the opposing team does relatively little to attack the goal.

And so, we bring you this week the eight man AAXI. Why not? We’ve featured twelve and thirteen man AAXI lineups earlier this season, so in a sense out 1-4-2 is just evening things out a bit.
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Matt Pickens – (1)

Pickens put in what may be the best goalkeeping performance in Toyota Park history. Ten saves and many other chances deflated before the Galaxy got off a shot - Pickens was amazing and is almost single handedly responsible for eliminating LA from the playoff hunt. Alan Gordon in particular must be having nightmares of Pickens.
Greg Vanney – (2)

Vanney contributed to the Dallas attack throughout the game against RSL, while his defense may have benefitted from Salt Lake’s inexplicable decision to play long ball the whole game.

Richard Mulrooney – (2)

The midfielder made some very nice runs to support the attack and still kept up with his midfield patrol duties.

Jonathan Bornstein – (7)

Bornstein showcased passing in the Colorado game that was simply outstanding, connecting Valderrama-style with Ante Razov and Panchito Mendoza.

Ben Olsen – (4)

Olsen was the engine in DC’s remarkable victory. Undermanned due to suspensions and injuries, and later down to ten men following Facundo Erpen’s bizarre ejection, Olsen was a dynamo on both sides of the ball, and had a pretty assist on Moreno’s goal.

Kyle Beckerman – (4)

Beckerman may be one of the only Rapids players who really seemed to sense the urgency of the playoff push in the late game against Chivas USA. With one exception, all dangerous looking attacks came through a player generally considered a defensive midfielder. Beckerman’s play this year has been terrific, and he for one is thriving under enigmatic coach Fernando Clavijo.

Kenny Cooper – (9)

He scored a ridiculously beautiful goal on a solid, veteran keeperin the playoff-clinching win for the team for Frisco.

Josmer Altidore – (2)

This rookie has come out of nowhere to be one of the only positive lights in a dimming Red Bulls season. This week he had just over fifteen minutes to add some life to the New York attack, and he looked dangerous before connecting on a sweet stoppage time goal to pull the Red Bulls within a goal. The sixteen year old now has as many goals in his 70 minutes of action as Eddie Johnson in 1474.

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• Header by ismitje. (All hail ismitje!)
• List compiled and edited by ismitje.
• All typos and errors should be blamed on Fernando Clavijo. Just because!