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HOUSTON - Attleboro's Geoff Cameron, the second year defender for the Houston Dynamo, was named to Major League Soccer's Best XI Team for the 2009 season.

Cameron, who attended Attleboro High and Providence Country Day before becoming the Atlantic 10 Conference Midfielder of the Year as a senior at the University of Rhode Island, was earlier selected to the MLS All-Star game, was one of three nominees for the MLS "Defender of the Year" award and was summoned to the U.S. Men's National Team at the turn of the year.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced the 2009 Best XI during his annual State of the League address. The Best XI recognizes the League's top 11 players at each position on the field. Six members of the 2009 Best XI are prior recipients of the honor, including New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph.

The Best XI members received the most votes from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers.

Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton earned his third major award of this year and his second career Best XI nod. The Best XI defense includes Chad Marshall, a two-time Best XI member and this year's Visa Defender of the Year. Joining Marshall on the back line are two first-time recipients - the Chicago Fire's Wilman Conde and Cameron.

The star-studded midfield includes two four-time honorees, Joseph and Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC). Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) earned his third selection. MLS Newcomer of the Year finalist Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders FC) earned MLS Best XI honors for the first time, as did Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo).

The 2009 Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), is a three-time Best XI pick at forward, joined by Colorado's Conor Casey.