MLS All-Star Game Fan XI Unveiled
The first 11 players for the 2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Game have been announced. Fans selected their top 11 players to compete against English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur on July 29 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
Here is a look at who the fans selected:
1. Nick Rimando (Goalkeeper) – Real Salt Lake
This will be the 36-year-old goalkeeper’s fifth MLS all-star appearance. Despite the club’s lowly season thus far, the veteran goalkeeper has played consistently well while backstopping Real Salt Lake. In his 16th MLS season, Rimando’s play this year has been as strong as ever as he continues to be seen as one of the best goalkeepers in the league.
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2. Matt Besler (Defender) – Sporting Kansas City
The American defender is one of three Sporting Kansas City players selected to the squad thus far. The all-star game is nothing new to the 28-year-old Sporting Kansas City captain. This will be Besler’s fourth appearance and third in as many years.
3. Omar Gonzalez (Defender) – LA Galaxy
This is the third consecutive nod for Gonzalez as well. Gonzalez has been a pivotal part of the Galaxy’s MLS success over the last few years. His strong defensive play has been recognized and received well throughout the league. However, he can also provide an offensive spark. In 19 appearances for the Galaxy this season, he has one goal and three assists.
4. DaMarcus Beasley (Defender) – Houston Dynamo
The 33-year-old American is an important piece of the Dynamo’s defence. With a plethora of experience playing at the elite level in Europe, Beasley continues to show his talent in MLS play. This will be his first all-star appearance since 2003 and fourth in his MLS career.
5. Kaká (Midfielder) – Orlando City SC
One of the most exhilirating players to ever grace the Major League Soccer pitch, Brazilian midfielder Kaká will be making his MLS all-star debut in his first season with Orlando City SC. In 18 games, the 33-year-old has nine goals and two assists.
6. Michael Bradley (Midfielder) – Toronto FC
Moving into more of an attacking role with Toronto, Bradley is enjoying a thrilling season playing with the likes of Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco. He has two goals and three assists in 13 games this season. With his talent and great vision, it is no surprise that he was selected. This is the second straight year that Bradley was voted in.
However, to much surprise, his teammate Giovinco was not part of the fan selection. Surely after all he has done with the Reds, it can’t be an all-star game without the likes of Giovinco! Altidore deserves credit as well.
7. Benny Feilhaber (Midfielder) – Sporting Kansas City
This will be the first all-star appearance for the 30-year-old Sporting Kansas City midfielder. Feilhaber has been one of the best playmakers in the league this season with nine assists to go along with five goals in 17 games so far. He has been a perennial force at both ends of the pitch.
8. Graham Zusi (Midfielder) – Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City fans certainly had a strong hand in the voting process for this year’s all-star game. Zusi is the third Sporting Kansas City member to be selected to the early all-star squad. He is enjoying another strong campaign. This will be the fourth all-star appearance for the American international.
9. David Villa (Forward) – New York City FC
The prolific Spanish superstar is having an excellent MLS debut with New York City. Collecting 10 goals and three assists in 16 games, he is an easy choice for the all-star game. He will definitely be an electrifying force out there.
10. Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC)
Dempsey is an obvious choice as well. He is having another solid year. Despite getting into a bit of trouble on the pitch, he remains one of the league’s best. And the fans agree. His seven goals and six assists through 12 games is praiseworthy and enough to get him his fourth all-star selection.
11. Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders FC)
Dempsey’s teammate, Martins, has seven goals and four assists in 11 games with Seattle this season. Martins was selected through the MLS “More than a Vote” Challenge, where a player is voted in based on how many goals are scored with him on EA Sports’ FIFA 15. Fans scored over one million goals with Martins and he was subsequently selected to the team for it. This will be the 30-year-old Nigerian’s second straight all-star game.
However, Martins is currently dealing with a groin injury. Hopefully he will be able to make the trip to Colorado.
The 22-man roster will officially be announced on July 18 and will include both of MLS commissioner Don Garber’s picks (newly-acquired English midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard) as well as 20 players selected by Colorado Rapids and all-star game head coach Pablo Mastroeni.