New York City FC Academy defender James Sands was named to the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship Best XI.

Sands, a center back, was one of five American players who dominated the team. He was joined by goalkeeper Justin Garces, right back Jaylin Lindsey, central midfielder Chris Durkin and forward Josh Sargent.

The U.S., which qualified for the U-17 World Cup in India in October, lost to Mexico in the final, 5-4, on penalty kicks after the teams played to a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes in Panama City, Panama Sunday.

The Best XI team:

Goalkeeper: Justin Garces (United States)

Right back: Jaylin Lindsey (United States)

Center back: James Sands (United States)

Center back: Luis Olivas (Mexico)

Left back: Walter Cortes (Costa Rica)

Right midfielder: Jairo Torres (Mexico)

Central midfielder: Chris Durkin (United States)

Central midfielder: Alexis Gutierrez (Mexico)

Left midfielder: Carlos Mejia (Honduras)

Forward: Daniel Lopez (Mexico)

Forward: Josh Sargent (United States)

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.