When it comes to referring to a sports team's top players, the term "first team" is commonly used. However, there are various synonyms that can be used instead of this phrase. One of the popular synonyms is "starting roster" which refers to the players that start the game. "A-Team" is another commonly used term that refers to the best players on a team. "Top squad" and "main lineup" are other synonyms that can be used in place of "first team". These alternative terms can provide variety in communication while still conveying the same message.