Valentin Castellanos, Jesus Ferreira, and Carlos Vela are among the top attacking players in MLS and all three will pair together this summer in the 2022 MLS All-Star Game.
The attacking trio were all named to the 26-player list for the MLS All-Star Game against the Liga MX All-Stars on August 10 at Allianz Field, with the league unveiling the selections on Tuesday. A total of seven players named to Adrian Heath’s roster currently represent the U.S. men’s national team with Ferreira, Paul Arriola, and Walker Zimmerman all playing key roles in World Cup Qualifying.
The squad is made up of players selected by voting from fans, media and players, players chosen specifically by Minnesota United head coach Heath — who is coaching the MLS All-Stars — and two selections by MLS commissioner Don Garber (Kamal Miller and Sean Johnson).
The players voted in by fans, media and players included Arriola, Castellanos, Ferreira, and New England Revolution midfielder Carles Gil.
Heath’s selections included his current players Emanuel Reynoso and Dayne St. Clair, veteran defenders Aaron Long and DeAndre Yedlin, and 2022 league arrival Taxiarchis Fountas.
The 2021 MLS All-Stars defeated its Liga MX counterparts 3-2 in a penalty kick shootout at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. The victory snapped a four-match losing streak for the MLS All-Stars.
Here is the full squad for the MLS All-Star Game:
2022 MLS ALL-STAR TEAM
GOALKEEPERS: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United), Sean Johnson (New York City FC).
DEFENDERS: Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami), Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union), Diego Palacios (Los Angeles FC), Kamal Miller (CF Montreal), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Alexander Callens (New York City FC), Julian Araujo (Los Angeles Galaxy).
MIDFIELDERS: Ilie Sanchez (Los Angeles FC), Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United), Darlington Nagbe (Columbus Crew), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC), Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati).
FORWARDS: Valentin Castellanos (New York City FC), Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Chicharito (Los Angeles Galaxy), Taxiarchis Fountas (D.C. United), Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders FC), Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC), Paul Arriola (FC Dallas).