NEW YORK, N.Y. / NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 28, 2023) – Nashville Soccer Club, in conjunction with Major League Soccer, announced today that for the third-straight season Midfielder Hany Mukhtar and Defender Walker Zimmerman have been named to the MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire, which recognizes the league’s top players at each position as determined by media, MLS players, and MLS club technical staff.
Mukhtar earned his third consecutive MLS Best XI honor after becoming just the sixth player in MLS history to notch three seasons of double-digit goals and assists. The 2022 Landon Donovan MLS MVP and Golden Boot Award winner also became just the eighth player in league history to record at least 15 goals in three consecutive seasons. Since the start of the 2021 season (Mukhtar’s first Best XI selection), the Nashville SC midfielder has accounted for 88 goal contributions (54 goals, 34 assists), which is 11 more than the next closest player during this span.
By being named to the 2023 MLS Best XI, Zimmerman becomes just the sixth player in league history to earn the prestigious honor five or more times (Landon Donovan (7); Dwayne De Rosario (6); Chris Armas, Robin Fraser, Jaime Moreno (5)). Zimmerman, who anchored Nashville SC’s league-leading defensive corps (just 32 goals conceded in MLS play) leads all active players in Best XI selections and is tied for third all time (Armas, Fraser, Moreno).
Both Mukhtar and Zimmerman were named MLS All Stars in 2023 (Mukhtar’s second selection, Zimmerman’s fourth), representing the Boys in Gold together during the league’s annual summer showcase for the second-straight season.
For the full 2023 MLS Best XI presented by Continental Tire, please see below.
Goalkeeper: Roman Burki, St. Louis CITY SC
Defender: Matt Miazga, FC Cincinnati
Defender: Tim Parker, St. Louis CITY SC
Defender: Walker Zimmerman, Nashville SC
Midfielder: Luciano Acosta, FC Cincinnati
Midfielder: Thiago Almada, Atlanta United
Midfielder: Hector Herrera, Houston Dynamo FC
Midfielder: Hany Mukhtar, Nashville SC
Forward: Denis Bouanga, Los Angeles Football Club
Forward: Giorgos Giakoumakis, Atlanta United
Forward: Juan Hernandez, Columbus Crew
