MLS All-Stars First XI

If the fan vote is any indication, the MLS All-Star team will be heavy on the stars when they take on English Premier League champions Manchester United in the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at Red Bull Arena.

Marquee names including Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Rafa Márquez highlight the "First XI" — the 11 top vote-getters in the fan vote — revealed on Sunday. The announcement came at halftime of the Portland-Seattle match on ESPN.

LA's Donovan and New York's Henry currently share the lead in the race for the Golden Boot, with nine goals each. Galaxy midfielder Beckham is second in the league in assists with eight, one fewer than Houston's Brad Davis. Márquez has been a mainstay in the Red Bulls' defense, though he has missed time through injury and international duty.

The First XI is particularly heavy on players from the Western Conference-leading LA Galaxy and Eastern Conference powerhouse New York Red Bulls.

The Galaxy have four players represented, with defenders Omar Gonzalez and Sean Franklin joining Donovan and Beckham. Gonzalez and Franklin have led an LA defense that averages .76 goals against.
The Red Bulls boast three on the list, including Henry, Márquez and second-year center back Tim Ream, whose performances garnered him a call into the US national team for last month's Gold Cup.

Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller received the most votes of all the netminders. This is his third straight All-Star nod since returning to the United States in 2009.

The First XI also includes three players who have never been named to the MLS All-Star team.

San Jose's Chris Wondolowski, the 2010 Golden Boot winner, has obviously earned the respect of fans across North America for his consistent scoring. Brek Shea, the young attacker from FC Dallas, is enjoying a season some pundits call worthy of MVP consideration. And Portland captain Jack Jewsbury, who leads the Portland Timbers with four goals and is fourth in MLS with six assists, is the lone representative of either of this year's expansion teams.

Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler was also selected for the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star team as the player with the most fan votes via text. Besler received an astounding 30 percent of all text votes submitted between June 8 and July 5 and he received nearly three times as many text votes as the next closest player.

The First XI received the most votes at their respective positions from combined fan voting on three platforms: online at MLSsoccer.com, via text message and via Twitter. The online and text voting ballot consisted of six players from each club, as chosen by a panel of media members.

Sunday's announced First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup for the match. MLS All-Star coach Hans Backe will select the starters based on player availability and tactical considerations. If First XI selections are unavailable due to injury, international duty or other commitments, Backe will select alternates for the game-day roster, but all First XI players are All-Stars.

Two selections by MLS Commissioner Don Garber will be announced July 16. The complete game day roster will be announced on Monday, July 18.

MLS All-Star First XI

Goalkeeper: Kasey Keller (SEA)

Defenders: Omar Gonzalez (LA), Sean Franklin (LA), Rafa Márquez (NY), Tim Ream (NY)

Midfielders: David Beckham (LA), Jack Jewsbury (POR), Brek Shea (DAL)

Forwards: Landon Donovan (LA), Thierry Henry (NY), Chris Wondolowski (SJ)

AT&T Text Voting Winner:

Defender: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)

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As expected just packed full of LA & NY players

Brad Davis should be there and Tim Ream shouldn't, seriously..... This game will be crap anyway I'd be more interested if it were EAST Vs. WEST like it should be. Instead we invite f'n Man United over, damn MLS!

No Pappa, No Party!

Agudelo>>>>>Wondolowski

Charlie Davies >>>>> Agudelo

>First place in the East
>No All Stars



There haven't been any defenders better than Valdes and Williams this year.

bhends wrote:>First place in the East
>No All Stars



There haven't been any defenders better than Valdes and Williams this year.

Of course Philly should of had a few but this is nothing more than a popularity contest.

Henry to score 5 past Utd.

Good to see brek becoming big after his great season

Giggity5313 wrote:Good to see brek becoming big after his great season

Too bad he won't be playing.

GK: Tally Hall
Houston Dynamo

Age: 26 Nationality: USA

Hall has stepped in as the No. 1 goalkeeper for the Dynamo and impressed, posting a 1.15 GAA in 20 starts. After playing the 2007 and '08 seasons with Danish club Esbjerg, Hall signed with Houston in the '09 season. This is his first All-Star selection.


GK: Faryd Mondragón
Philadelphia Union

Age: 40 Nationality: Colombia


The veteran has been tremendous since transferring from the German Bundesliga, posting a 0.84 GAA. Capped 50 times by Colombia, he played in the 1992 Summer Olympics and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. This is his first All-Star selection.


DF: Corey Ashe
Houston Dynamo

Age: 25 Nationality: USA


A speedy wide player capable of playing both in midfield and defense, Ashe has already made 17 starts this season for the Dynamo, which is just two short of the career high (19) he set in 2010. This is his first All-Star selection.


DF: Matt Besler
Sporting Kansas City

Age: 24 Nationality: USA


Besler received an astounding 30 percent of all text votes after helping the resurgent Sporting KC follow a 10-game road trip to start the season with an 11-game unbeaten streak. Deployed as a central defender or left back, this is his first All-Star selection.


DF: Geoff Cameron
Houston Dynamo

Age: 25 Nationality: USA


The versatile Dynamo star is a commanding presence in the Houston lineup, using his large frame to anchor both the defense and midfield. In addition to his defensive prowess, Cameron has notched three goals this season. This is his second All-Star selection.

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DF: Bobby Convey
San Jose Earthquakes

Age: 28 Nationality: USA


Convey has been a consistent performer on the left side for the Earthquakes both in midfield and at fullback. He has 13 goals and 31 assists in his MLS career while also spending four seasons with England's Reading FC. This is his first All-Star selection.


DF: Sean Franklin
LA Galaxy

Age: 26 Nationality: USA


The 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year has appeared in all 21 of the Galaxy’s games this year, helping the Galaxy to the second-best defense in MLS. Franklin made his full international debut in a 1-1 draw with Chile on Jan 22, 2011. This is his first All-Star selection.


DF: Jamison Olave
Real Salt Lake

Age: 30 Nationality: Colombia


The 2010 Defender of the Year has been an anchor for an RSL defense that is currently ranked first in MLS. He was also a key reason RSL set the MLS record last year for fewest goals allowed in a season (20). This is his second consecutive All-Star selection.


DF: Heath Pearce
Chivas USA

Age: 26 Nationality: USA


Pearce is having a strong debut season with Chivas USA following stints at Denmark's FC Nordsjælland, German side Hansa Rostock and FC Dallas. He has also represented the United States on 32 occasions. This is his second consecutive MLS All-Star selection.


DF: Tim Ream
New York Red Bulls

Age: 23 Nationality: USA


Ream has been a consistent presence on the Red Bulls back line. In 2010, his rookie season, he led the league and club in minutes played (2700) while helping NY to a single-season club record 13 shutouts. This is Ream’s first All-Star selection.


MF: Kyle Beckerman
Real Salt Lake

Age: 29 Nationality: USA


The heart of RSL’s midfield, Beckerman is regarded as the engine behind one of the league’s top teams. Beckerman joined the league in 2000 and has played for three teams during his 12-year MLS career. This is his fifth consecutive All-Star selection.


David Beckham
LA Galaxy

Age: 36 Nationality: England


Beckham joined LA from Real Madrid in 2007 and is currently second in the league in assists (. He spent 12 years with Man. United, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the UEFA Champions League. This is his second All-Star selection.


MF: Brad Davis
Houston Dynamo

Age: 29 Nationality: USA


One of Houston’s most consistent performers, Davis currently leads the league in assists with nine. He has 12 assists each of the past two seasons while also being among the club’s leaders in minutes played. This is his fourth All-Star selection.


MF: Jack Jewsbury
Portland Timbers

Age: 30 Nationality: USA


After eight years in Kansas City, the veteran moved to the expansion Portland Timbers and is now enjoying a career season as team captain. The Timbers’ most consistent performer, he has tallied four goals and six assists. This is his first All-Star selection.


MF: Shalrie Joseph
New England Revolution

Age: 33 Nationality: Grenada


Joseph, the Revolution’s captain, is a four-time MLS All-Star First XI vote-getter (2006-09), and a four-time MLS Best XI performer ('05, '06, '08, '09). He has appeared more than 20 times for the Grenada national team. This is his eighth All-Star selection.


MF: Nick LaBrocca
Chivas USA

Age: 26 Nationality: USA


Following stints at the Colorado Rapids and Toronto FC, LaBrocca has had a breakout first season with Chivas USA, scoring a career-high six goals and adding three assists while starting all 20 games from his attacking midfield position. This is his first All-Star selection.


FW: Juan Agudelo
New York Red Bulls

Age: 18 Nationality: USA


Agudelo (a commissioner's pick) was the first player to join the Red Bulls from their youth academy, and he has not disappointed. A dangerous threat for the league’s top offense, he has four goals in 14 appearances this season. He also has 10 USMNT caps. This is his first All-Star selection.


FW: Omar Bravo
Sporting Kansas City

Age: 31 Nationality: Mexico


Bravo (a commissioner's pick) is having a strong debut season with Sporting, scoring four goals and adding two assists. The veteran Mexican forward—KC's second-ever DP signing—has 65 caps for the Mexican national team, scoring 16 goals. This is his first All-Star selection.


FW: Omar Cummings
Colorado Rapids

Age: 29 Nationality: Jamaica


One of the most dangerous strikers in MLS, Cummings has netted two goals and two assists this season. In 2010, he was the Rapids' Golden Boot winner with 14 goals (tied for 4th in MLS) as he led his team to the MLS Cup title. This is his first All-Star selection.


FW: Landon Donovan
LA Galaxy

Age: 29 Nationality: USA


The 2008 Golden Boot Winner and '09 MLS MVP, Donovan has earned his 11th consecutive All-Star selection dating back to his debut season of '01. He played a starring role in the Earthquakes’ second MLS Cup championship in '03 and with the Galaxy’s championship in '05.


FW: Thierry Henry
New York Red Bulls

Age: 33 Nationality: France


The French soccer legend (123 caps, 51 goals) has shone in his first full season with New York, scoring nine goals. With England's Arsenal he was the European Golden Boot twice and the EPL's leading scorer in four campaigns. This is his first All-Star selection.


FW: Chris Wondolowski
San Jose Earthquakes

Age: 28 Nationality: USA


The seven-year MLS veteran is establishing himself as one of the league’s top goalscorers after winning the Golden Boot in 2010 with 18 goals and starting '11 strong with six goals—good enough to earn a US call-up. This is his first All-Star selection.
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First XI selections GK Kasey Keller, Seattle Sounders (unavailable/CCL); DF Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy (unavailable/injured); DF Sean Franklin, LA Galaxy; DF Rafa Márquez, New York Red Bulls (unavailable/injured); DF Tim Ream, New York Red Bulls; MF David Beckham, LA Galaxy; MF Jack Jewsbury, Portland Timbers; MF Brek Shea, FC Dallas (unavailable/CCL); FW Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy; FW Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls; FW Chris Wondolowski, San Jose Earthquakes


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So glad some Dynamo players made it.

IzzyC08 wrote:

Giggity5313 wrote:Good to see brek becoming big after his great season

Too bad he won't be playing.

WHAT?

I sent a letter to the MLS about how the Dynamo needed more players on the squad and FC Dallas needing less. They obviously met my demands...or else.

Backe knows which TX squad has quality, Houston baby. DALE DALE DALE DYNAMO!

Wait wait... did you say Tim Ream shouldn't be there?

That means.... you've never watched MLS.. or never watched RBNY.... or know nothing... I mean.. even freaking Alexi Lalas knows Ream is the best CB in the league.. and he's a retard.

And Charlie Davies is not better than Agudelo.. I'd say even at this point really.. except Agudelo doesn't dive.