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Major League Soccer Announces First XI for AT&T MLS All-Star Game
Major League Soccer announced the 2010 MLS All-Star First XI today live on MLSsoccer.com. The MLS All-Star First XI will be joined by 10 coaches’ picks and two Commissioner’s selections, which will be announced on Monday, July 19, to complete the 2010 MLS All-Star team’s 23-man roster.
In the 15th annual midsummer event, the MLS All-Stars will face the 2009 English Premier League champions Manchester United in the 2010 AT&T MLS All-Star Game at Reliant Stadium, in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, July 28 (live on ESPN2 and TeleFutura at 8:30 p.m. ET).
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2010 MLS All-Star First XI
Goalkeeper: Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy)*
Defenders: Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)*, Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake)*
Midfielders: Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)*, Marco Pappa (Chicago Fire)* Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)
Forwards: Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
The First XI, consisting of one goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards, received the most votes at their respective positions from four groups – fans, players, media, and coaches/general managers.
The top two Western Conference teams earned seven of the First XI honors as the LA Galaxy has four players and defending MLS Cup Champions Real Salt Lake have three.
The MLS All-Star First XI show a range of All-Star experience. Eight players have previously participated in the All-Star game; three will be playing in their first.
U.S. National Team star Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) has been selected as an All-Star in each of his 10 seasons in the League. He is joined by returning All-Stars Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake) and Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew). Receiving the honor for the first time are 2009 Rookie of the Year Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), midfielder Marco Pappa (Chicago Fire), defender Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake) and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy).
The First XI is reflective of Major League Soccer’s diverse player pool, as six nations are represented. Five members of the First XI have played for the U.S. Men’s National Team, while four others have represented their countries at the senior level – Schelotto (Argentina), Pappa (Guatemala), Ricketts (Jamaica) and De Rosario (Canada). Gonzalez, 21, is the youngest member of the First XI; Schelotto is the most senior at 37.
The First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup. MLS All-Star coach Bruce Arena 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, Arena, in collaboration with host city head coach Dominic Kinnear of the Houston Dynamo, will select alternates for the game day roster, but all First XI players are All-Stars.
Due to international competition – MLS teams in the CONCACAF Champions League the week of the 2010 AT&T MLS All-Star Game – the MLS All-Star Game Day Roster will be 23 players as opposed to the 18 players used in the past. LA Galaxy and Toronto FC players who are All-Stars will arrive in Houston on the day of the All-Star game and will be available to play against Manchester United. No Seattle players will be available for the game day roster, but can be named All-Stars.
The complete 23-man roster, which will be announced on Monday, July 19, at 1 p.m. ET on MLSsoccer.com, will include 10 coaches’ selections and two Commissioner’s Picks. Those 12 will join the First XI to comprise the 23-man roster.
Under the CBA, a total of 32 players will be named All-Stars. After the 23-man game day roster, the remaining nine players receiving that title will come from the weighted voting, but will be inactive for the All-Star Game.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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