The MLS All-Stars will feature a high-profile group when they take on Premier League side Arsenal on July 28.
The league announced on Saturday the 11 starters that will take the field against the Gunners at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California, including New York City FC striker David Villa and Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco.
MLS fans were responsible for the naming the first 10 players that will play almost three weeks’ time, while the final selection was made through the AT&T/EA SPORTS “More Than a Vote” Challenge. Villa won the contest after receiving the most votes through FIFA 16.
Among the 11 players named to the team, eight different teams are represented, with the Philadelphia Union, NYCFC and the Montreal Impact each boasting two players each.
Here’s a full list of the MLS starting roster:
GOALKEEPER: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)
DEFENDERS: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Laurent Ciman (Montreal Impact), Keegan Rosenberry (Philadelphia Union)
MIDFIELDERS: Kaká (Orlando City SC), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy)
FORWARDS: Didier Drogba (Montreal Impact), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), David Villa (New York City FC)
Little shady how Dallas is first in the West and in the SS standings but don’t have one player represented…same thing with the Rapids…fan votes are dumb.
Why isn’t MLS using the Audi Player Index or the EA match rating system to select the team without any bias? Don’t count the worst 2 or 3 performances and take an average of the rest of the games and the players with the highest ratings would be selected for their respective positions. If MLS loses to a pre-season Arsenal because half our team is 29 or older and they’re fielding talented youngsters without much if any EPL experience, the league’s image will suffer. If, however, a team of relative no-names that are the most consistently quality players from the league can beat an Arsenal team (even if it’s pre-season), it will only serve to better and more accurately reflect the level of competition in the league and the increasing quality of our players.
It’s a glorified exhibition, no need to get upset about it.
It’s kind of pathetic that 2 of the oldest players (Pirlo & Drogba) who haven’t been that impressive this season are voted part of the top XI in the league. It’s disappointing that only 2 USMNT players were voted to the XI…..and that so many fans voted for the “Named Players” instead of players who have actually been performing well.
Except that happens in every all-star game that uses a fan vote. The lineup is also absurdly attacking – I guess “fans” don’t realize that teams need defenders and midfield grafters.
The league announced on Saturday the 11 starters ….and Darlington Nagbe and Matt Besler were selected. nice