Supporters' Shield victors LAFC dominate MLS regular season best XI

Goalkeeper: Maxime Crepeau (Vancouver Whitecaps) - 7.11 rating 

The Vancouver Whitecaps may have endured a disappointing season, but it would have been significantly worse without Maxime Crepeau between the sticks. The 25-year-old made more saves per 90 (4.4) than any other goalkeeper in the regular MLS campaign and his 16 saves against the San Jose Earthquakes was a record in a game this season. With a WhoScored rating of 7.11, the Canadian shotstopper features in this best XI. 

Right-back: Jorge Moreira (Portland Timbers) - 7.19 rating 

The sole Portland Timbers representative in this XI, Jorge Moreira impressed from right-back as his WhoScored rating (7.19) suggests. The Paraguyan had a direct hand in four goals over the course of the campaign, scoring two, and made more tackles per game (3.9) than any other player to reinforce a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'tackling'. 

Centre-back: Frederic Brillant (DC United) 7.06 rating 

The experienced Frederic Brillant features in this XI at centre-back as he came away from the campaign with a WhoScored rating of 7.06. The Frenchman's committed, no nonsense approach to defending ensured only LAFC (37) conceded fewer goals than DC United (38) in the regular MLS season as he ranked top for both shots blocked (38) and clearances (210). It may not have been pretty, but it sure was effective as DC United secured a playoff spot. 

Centre-back: Ike Opara (Minnesota United) - 7.06 rating 

Like Brillant, Ike Opara also secured a WhoScored rating of 7.06 in Major League Soccer this term. Minnesota United fought valiantly to secure a playoff finish as they shipped just the 43 league goals, one of the better returns across both conferences, with Opara ranking third for clearances (153). 

Left-back: Ryan Hollingshead (FC Dallas) - 7.21 rating 

No defender scored more league goals than Ryan Hollingshead (6), who didn't need a second invitation to break forward, in MLS this season. Indeed, the 28-year-old put up averages of 1.5 successful dribbles and 1.3 shots per game, highlighting his willingess to join the attack and offer another dimension to the FC Dallas attack and it helped him land a WhoScored rating of 7.21. 

Right midfield: Carlos Vela (LAFC) - 8.48 rating 

LAFC won the Supporters' Shield and deservedly so, with Carlos Vela in astonishing form in attack. The Lionel Messi of MLS had a direct hand in a whopping 44 league goals for The Black and Gold, with his 34 goals more than any other player. Having won the WhoScored man of the match award in 58.1% of his 31 appearances (18 times), Vela was in stunning form under Bob Bradley and it's for good reason that they are the favourites to win the MLS cup as an expert bet365 review shows, particular if Vela can maintain his stunning form having had a direct hand in a goal in each of his final nine league appearances. 

Central midfield: Eduard Atuesta (LAFC) - 7.56 rating 

The second of four LAFC representatives in this XI, Eduard Atuesta was the heartbeat of the side that lost only four league matches as he ranked second for accurate passes (2064) in the league. Three goals and eight assists were both fine returns in their own right, as were 2.3 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game with it proof that the 22-year-old was more than capable of winning the ball and recycling possession with aplomb to help return a WhoScored rating of 7.56. 

Central midfield: Mark-Anthony Kaye (LAFC) - 7.36 rating 

One of Atuesta's midfield partners in crime, Mark-Anthony Kaye followed up a solid debut MLS season with a fine campaign in the middle of the park as he scored four and registered eight assists. When he gained a head of steam, the 24-year-old was difficult to shake off the ball with a dribble success rate of 67.8% the 10th best of those to have attempted 50 or more dribbles, while 2.2 tackles per game helped land a WhoScored ratinf of 7.36.

Left midfield: Diego Rossi (LAFC) - 7.35 rating 

Rounding off the LAFC contingent is winger Diego Rossi, who makes this XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.35. The youngster chipped in with 16 goals and six assists for MLS' top scoring side in what was a memorable campaign for the 21-year-old. 

Striker: Kacper Przybylko (Philadelphia Union) - 7.51 rating 

Keeping Josef Martinez out of the XI in attack, Kacper Przybylko's goal return may have paled in comparison to the Atlanta United forward, but the Polish striker was still on hand to score 15 goals and register and additional four assists for the Union. His good performances in the final third saw him earn seven WhoScored man of the match awards and his WhoScored rating of 7.51 enough to land a spot in this XI. 

Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy) - 8.00 rating 

Completing the XI is arguably the league's marquee name in Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a WhoScored rating of 8.00. The Swede made 29 MLS appearances this season, yet still mustered 30 goals and seven assists for the Galaxy. Ibrahimovic's end of season flurry, which resulted in him have a direct hand in a goal in nine of his final 10 outings of the season guaranteed a playoff spot for LA Galaxy, and saw the 38-year-old win six of his 12 WhoScored man of the match awards.