SPORTS

TFC's Giovinco, Impact's Ciman, Whitecaps' Waston named to MLS Best XI

The Canadian Press Published Sunday, November 29, 2015 7:26PM EST

In this Sept. 19, 2015, file photo, Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against the Colorado Rapids during the first half of the MLS soccer game in Toronto. (Chris Young / The Canadian Press)

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NEW YORK -- Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco is one of three players from Canadian teams to be named to Major League soccer's Best XI, which recognizes the top 11 MLS players in a common soccer formation.

Montreal Impact defender Laurent Ciman and Vancouver Whitecaps defender Kendall Waston also made the Best XI, which was announced by the league Sunday night.

Giovinco, the MLS Golden Boot winner this season, led the league in scoring with 22 goals and 16 assists over 33 games to help lead Toronto to its first playoff berth. The Italian international also won the MLS Newcomer of the Year award.

Ciman, the second player in Impact history to be selected to the MLS Best XI after striker Marco Di Vaio was chosen in 2013, helped Montreal's backline to its best showing in franchise history. The Impact gave up 44 goals all season -- 14 less than in 2014. Ciman also scored two goals and assisted on two more in 27 starts.

Waston had two goals over 28 games for Vancouver. He's the first Whitecaps player to be selected to the Best XI.

Voting for the teams XI was conducted through write-in votes from MLS players, club leadership, and media members. The highest vote-getters from submissions formed a 3-4-3 formation: one goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards.

The other nominated players were: New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles; FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges; Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber; Dallas midfielder Fabian Castillo; Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarthy; Columbus Crew midfielder Ethan Finlay; Columbus forward Kei Kamara; and Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane.