By Benson Petit-Clair
The Major League Soccer announced its Best XI for the 2013 campaign on Tuesday; recognizing the best eleven players from each position at the field for their exceptional seasons.
Jose Goncalves, who won the MLS Defender of the year award earlier this fall, anchored a New England Revolution defense that posted 14 shutouts and allowed 38 goals after allowing 44 goals in the previous season. Jose debuted with the Revolution at the beginning of the 2013 season following a loan from from Swiss club FC Sion. Jose was named the Captain of the Revs back in May and became one of the three players in the league to play every single minute this season. 
Read our exclusive interview with Jose Goncalves
After finishing the regular season atop the Western Conference Standing, the Portland Timbers leads the pack with three players selected in the league’s Best XI. Goalkeeper, Donovan Rickett; a pair of Midfielders, Will Johnson and Diego Valeri became the first Portland players to be named in the Best XI since the Timbers joined the MLS back in 2011. Valeri led the league in assist with 13 assists and also added 10 goals to lead his club.
Sporting KC, who will be hosting the 2013 MLS Cup against the Real Salt Lake on Saturday, and the LA Galaxy, the reigning MLS Cup Champions, each have two players named in the list.
The Montreal Impact, the New York Red Bulls and the Chicago Fire are the three other clubs to add a player in this year’s MLS Best XI.
Notable absences from this year’s list includes Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquake) and Frenchman Thierry Henry from the New York Red Bulls.
The voters which includes the players, club leadership and media members voted one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards to Major League Soccer’s best eleven.
2013 MLS Best XI
GK Donovan Ricketts (Portland Timbers)
DEF Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)
DEF Jose Goncalves (New England Revolution)
DEF Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)
MF Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
MF Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls)
MF Will Johnson (Portland Timbers)
MF Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers)
FWD Marco Di Vaio (Montreal Impact)
FWD Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)
FWD Mike Magee (Chicago Fire)
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