Didier Drogba, Steven Gerrard, Lampard... is this the best MLS XI?

By Saj ChowdhuryBBC Sport

Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and now Didier Drogba - Major League Soccer has had more than a sprinkling of stardust in recent times.

With this in mind, we have compiled a current best MLS XI, which is attack heavy in order to include the best acquisitions. It is a team that former Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan would be proud of!

So, here's the current best XI from the MLS crop.

Between them they have won:

  • Three World Cups
  • Seven Champions League titles
  • Twenty-four league titles

What do you think of our selection?

MLS XI graphic
This team is made up of current MLS players. Has there ever been a stronger set of players in the league?

Didier Drogba, Montreal Impact

Striker, age 37

Didier Drogba

Ivory Coast caps: 104, goals: 65. Previous clubs include: Marseille, Chelsea and Galatasaray; club career goals: 150+. Major honours: League titles (5), Champions League (1), domestic cups (8).

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho described him as the club's "best value player ever". The powerful forward was one of the big successes at the Blues.

David Villa, New York City

Striker, age 33

David Villa

Spain caps: 97, goals 59. Previous clubs include: Valencia, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid; club career goals: 200+. Major honours: World Cup, European Championship, league titles (2), Champions League, domestic cups (3).

The former Barcelona striker has won the lot both on the international and domestic stage, playing with greats such as Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy

Forward, age 35

Robbie Keane

Republic of Ireland caps: 140, goals 65. Previous clubs include: Inter Milan, Leeds, Liverpool and Tottenham; club career goals: 180+. Major honours: League titles (3), domestic cups (1).

One of the big successes of the MLS. The Republic of Ireland captain was the Most Valuable Player last year having helped LA Galaxy to both their and his third championship in four years. Has to play further back in our line-up to fit everyone in.

Andrea Pirlo, New York City

Midfielder, age 36

Andrea Pirlo

Italy caps: 115, goals 13. Previous clubs include: Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus; club career goals: 50+. Major honours: World Cup, league titles (6), Champions League (2), domestic cups (2).

The cool Italian seems to have more time than most in the middle of the field. Like Villa, he is a world champion and won the Champions League and league titles.

Kaka, Orlando City

Midfielder, age 33

Kaka

Brazil caps: 89, goals 29. Previous clubs include: Sao Paulo, AC Milan and Real Madrid; club career goals: 130+. Major honours: World Cup, league titles (2), Champions League, domestic cups (1).

An AC Milan legend, he joined Real Madrid in 2009 for 65m euros (£56m) - the second biggest transfer fee at the time behind the 75m euros Real paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane.

Frank Lampard, New York City

Midfielder, age 37

Frank Lampard

England caps: 106, goals 29. Previous clubs include: West Ham, Chelsea and Manchester City; club career goals: 230+. Major honours: League titles (3), Champions League, Europa League, domestic cups (6).

An exceptional professional. Like Drogba, he was an important part of the spine of Chelsea during the past decade. He is the only midfielder to have scored more than 150 goals in the Premier League.

Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders

Midfielder, age 32

Clint Dempsey

USA caps: 119, goals 48. Previous clubs include: Fulham and Tottenham; club career goals: 100+. Major honours: Concacaf Gold Cup (2)

A United States player who wears his heart on his sleeve. The former Fulham favourite has played at three World Cups and became the first American male to score at three.

Steven Gerrard, LA Galaxy

Midfielder, age 35

Steven Gerrard

England caps: 114, goals 21. Previous clubs include: Liverpool; club career goals: 186. Major honours: Champions League, Uefa Cup, domestic cups (5).

A leader for club and country, many in the MLS consider his summer signing to be one of the all-time coups. He is the only footballer to have scored in the finals of the FA Cup, League Cup, Uefa Cup and Champions League. Will gather the ball at the back and come forward with it in our team.

Andoni Iraola, New York City

Defender, age 33

Andoni Iraola

Spain caps: 7. Previous clubs include: Athletic Bilbao.

The right-back spent 12 years at Bilbao. Regarding honours, Iraola has come agonisingly close - collecting Copa del Rey runners-up medals and finishing on the losing side in the 2012 Europa League final.

Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy

Defender, age 26

Omar Gonzalez

USA caps: 29. Major honours: League titles (3).

The 6ft 5in United States centre-back is only 26, but has already won three MLS championships. He has appeared in four MLS best XIs (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014) and was a member of Jurgen Klinsmann's 2014 World Cup squad.

Bill Hamid, D.C United

Goalkeeper, age 24

Bill Hamid

USA caps: 2. Major honours: Concacaf Gold Cup

The least experienced and decorated player in this MLS XI, but has a promising career ahead of him. The Virginia-born player, who trained with West Brom, was was voted the best keeper in the MLS last year and currently plays for the team that leads the Eastern Conference.