The complete list of 2006 MLS All-Stars was finalized on Monday as D.C. United and MLS All-Star Team head coach Peter Nowak named his five allotted picks and MLS commissioner Don Garber announced his two selections. Three additional players earned All-Star nods from Nowak as replacements for a trio that is unavailable for the contest against Chelsea FC on Aug. 5.
Four D.C. United players were included in Nowak and Garber's 10 overall picks: defender Bobby Boswell, midfielders Freddy Adu and Josh Gros and forward Alecko Eskandarian. Goalkeeper Joe Cannon (Colorado Rapids), midfielders Richard Mulrooney (FC Dallas), Ronnie O'Brien (FC Dallas) and Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids) and Chicago Fire forward Nate Jaqua round out the team.
The 11th version of Major League Soccer's midsummer classic will take place at the recently-opened Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. The MLS All-Stars will face the reigning back-to-back English Premier League champions at 6:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 5 in a match that can be seen live on ESPN.
Nowak added three of his own players to the All-Star roster by selecting Boswell, Adu and Gros. Boswell and Gros will take part in their first All-Star Games, while Adu gets his second All-Star nod after participating in his rookie season of 2004 as one of Garber's two selections.
Boswell has been the rock of United's solid defense this season, starting in 18 of the club's 19 games. The four-time MLS Cup champions are in the middle of an incredible run, having won their last six league games. The club is also unbeaten in its last 13, thanks in no small part to a swarming defense anchored by Boswell. United have allowed the fewest goals in the league, only being scored on 16 times.
Adu has helped D.C.'s offense to the best overall record in the league as well, as the Black-and-Red sit atop the Eastern Conference with an incredible 20-point advantage on their nearest competitors, the New England Revolution. D.C. has scored more goals than any team this season with 36, seven of which Adu has had a direct hand in. The 17-year-old has only found the back of the net once, but he also has six assists and has hit the woodwork on numerous occasions. He has played in every game this season for United, including 17 as a starter.
Forward Ante Razov (Chivas USA) and midfielders Clint Dempsey and Shalrie Joseph of the New England Revolution all will not be able to participate in the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game as those two clubs square off the following day, opening the door for Nowak to select another member of the Black-and-Red in Gros. The midfielder has played in every game so far this season for D.C., scoring two goals and adding four assists.
Cannon is the No. 1 goalkeeper for the only team to have defeated Nowak's D.C. United this season, as the Rapids topped United 2-1 in Denver on May 6. Cannon made six saves on the night. Injuries have limited Cannon's action this season, as he has played in 12 of his side's 16 games. He has allowed 15 goals so far this season while also posting two shutouts. Cannon returns to the All-Star game for the first time since taking part in 2002 during his first stint in the league with the San Jose Earthquakes.
O'Brien has been his usual pesky self on the wing for the Hoops this season. The Irishman has one goal and four assists but is a constant threat to opposing defenders due to his dribbling skills, crossing ability and vision. FC Dallas have been at the top of the Western Conference standings for nearly the entire season. This will be O'Brien's third consecutive All-Star appearance.
Jaqua is the only Chicago Fire man that will take part in the contest at his home stadium. The fourth-year forward earns his first All-Star nod as he is on pace for his best season yet in MLS. He has four goals and one assist in 15 games. The Oregon native took an immediate liking to the Fire's new stadium, scoring the first two goals ever at Toyota Park in the team's 3-3 draw with the New England Revolution on June 11.
Rounding out Nowak's selection were the other two replacement players, Ching and Mastroeni. Ching has been one of the hottest forwards in MLS this season, which helped him earn a place on the U.S. World Cup team this summer. The Hawaii native has an impressive 10 goals in just 11 games player for Dynamo, while he has also contributed two assists. Mastroeni was also a member of the U.S. World Cup team and is the driving force in the Colorado Rapids' midfield. The ninth-year MLS player has only played in seven games so far this season, but that was enough to make an impression on Nowak, who gave Mastroeni his fourth All-Star selection.
Also receiving good news on Monday was D.C. United's Eskandarian, who was one of Garber's selections as a Commissioner's Pick. The 2004 MLS Cup Honda MVP has made a strong return to the Black-and-Red after missing most of last season due to post-concussion syndrome. The University of Virginia product has six goals and two assists in 14 games played. This is the second All-Star selection for the top overall pick from the 2003 MLS SuperDraft.
Garber completed the roster with the selection of another player who has made a strong return after missing last season due to injury. A torn ACL sidelined Mulrooney after just seven games in 2005, but he has played in 12 games so far this season for the Hoops. As the midfield anchor at Pizza Hut Park, Mulrooney serves as the link between the offense and the defense. He has four assists this season, which is his eighth in the league. Mulrooney was also an All-Star in 2002 and 2004 as a member of the Earthquakes.
Nowak will be able to select the starting 11 for the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game from the full roster of 18 players. Whoever takes the field for his side will have a tough task to deal with as they face one of the top teams in the world in Chelsea. With billionaire owner Roman Abramovich providing the funds, the London club has built a virtual world all-star team, which includes Germany's Michael Ballack, Ukraine's Andriy Shevchenko, England's Frank Lampard and Joe Cole and Dutchman Arjen Robben, just to name a few.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
