MLS All-Star Team and Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear selected six players to round out the 2009 MLS All-Star Team roster as the final 18-player roster is now set for the clash with Everton FC on Wednesday, July 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Kinnear's selections include three members of the Houston Dynamo, two Sounders FC players and one Kansas City Wizards player, giving Houston five players on the 18-man roster. Seattle Sounders FC will have four representatives on All-Star Team roster.
Kinnear and his staff will lead the MLS All-Star Team in the 14th annual MLS midsummer showcase versus FA Cup Finalists Everton FC, whose roster boasts international stars Tim Cahill, Louis Saha, Marouane Fellaini, Steven Pienaar, Tim Howard and more. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 and Galavision at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Kinnear named his club's veteran stalwart Pat Onstad as the squad's second goalkeeper. Onstad ranks first in the League in goals against average (0.72), first in shutouts (8) and first in wins (9). This marks Onstad's third selection to the MLS All-Star team. He was selected as a starter in 2004 and was a Coach's Selection in 2008. Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis, who is tied for first in the League with seven assists, and who has also added three goals, was named to his second MLS All-Star Team; he appeared in the 2005 MLS All-Star Game. Brian Ching received his fifth MLS All-Star Team selection. He appeared in the 2004, 2006 and 2007 MLS All-Star Games and was named to the inactive roster in 2008. Ching leads the Dynamo with five goals on the season, although only playing in 10 games.
Seattle Sounders FC defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado was selected to reinforce the defensive unit. The Colombian-born defender has helped lead Seattle to an incredible start in their inaugural season and will undoubtedly be considered, with several of his Sounders FC teammates, for MLS Newcomer of the Year honors.
Kinnear added two of the League's most exciting attackers in Kansas City Wizards midfielder Davy Arnaud and Sounders FC Forward Fredy Montero. Arnaud, an eight-year MLS veteran, from Nederland, Texas, is having a tremendous season for the Wizards, which led to his first MLS All-Star Team selection. He ranks second on the team with five goals including some stunning strikes. Montero, will replace Crew attacker Guillermo Barros Schelotto on the squad, as Schelotto has been ruled out due to an injury. Montero ranks second to Schelotto in the League's Budweiser Golden Boot race with nine goals scored. He has also provided six assists this season.
The Final 18-player MLS roster includes five members of the Houston Dynamo, four from Seattle Sounders FC, two from the Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake and one player from the Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy and New England Revolution.
Kinnear and his staff will select the starters based on player availability and tactical considerations. The inactive, or alternate All-Star roster, will be announced at a later date.
Tickets to the 2009 MLS All-Star Game remain on sale, with prices starting at $35 (North Goal, South Goal and Upper Deck), and continuing at $45 (Corner Flag), $60 (Lower Sidelines), $105 (Front Row and Midfield) and $200 (Club Seats). To purchase tickets for the MLS All-Star Game's first visit to Utah, please visit www.RioTintoStadium.com, call 1-800-838-3380, or visit the Rio Tinto Stadium Box Office, open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
The All-Star First XI selections are below:
2009 MLS All-Star Team
Goalkeeper:
Kasey Keller
(Seattle Sounders FC),
Pat Onstad
(Houston Dynamo)&
Defenders:Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Wilman Conde (Chicago Fire), Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Seattle Sounders FC)&, Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew)
Midfielders:Davy Arnaud (Kansas City Wizards)&, Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)+, Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo)&, Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders FC), Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake)+
Forwards:Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo)&, Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)*, Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders FC)&
- Denotes selection to First XI Team (Blanco replaced De Rosario as alternate in First XI)
- Denotes a Commissioner's Selection
& Denotes Coach's Selection
Online fan balloting comprising 25 percent of the combined First XI vote, with MLS coaches and GMs (25 percent), media (25 percent), and players (25 percent) accounting for the remainder. Players and coaches/general managers could not register votes for players on their own teams.
2009 MLS All-Star Team:
Current list of 13 All-Stars scheduled to appear on the game day roster in alphabetical order
Kasey Keller Goalkeeper Seattle Sounders FC Nationality: United States Born: November 29, 1969
In his first MLS season, Kasey Keller has shown why he is always in a discussion about the best goalkeeper ever produced by the United States. After spending most of his professional career playing in England, with stints in Germany and Spain, Keller signed with 2009 expansion team, Seattle Sounders FC, last August 2008. He started this season posting five shutouts and set the record for the longest shutout streak to start a season (457 minutes). Keller has started in 16 games and holds a record of 7-1-7. His one loss is the fewest among goalkeepers who have played 10 or more games this season. He ranks third in goals against average (0.85), third in shutouts (5) and is tied for third in wins (7). Keller has led Seattle Sounders FC to second place in the Western Conference as of July 20. This marks the first MLS All-Star selection for the Olympia, Wash. native, who is a candidate for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award.
Pat Onstad Goalkeeper Houston Dynamo Nationality: Canada Born: January 13, 1968
The oldest player in the League hasn't let that hold him back. The 41-year-old has an MLS-best0.71 goals against average this season, well below his impressive 1.03 career average. With Onstad as the backbone of the defense, the Houston Dynamo lead the League with 32 points (9-4-5). Onstad ranks fifth all-time in shutouts (58) and second in winning percentage (.612; Jorge Campos had .644) This is his second consecutive and third career All-Star appearance. The MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and member of the Best XI squad in 2003 and 2005 was also the Earthquakes' Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, and has won three MLS Cup Championships. The 6-foot-4 keeper hails from Vancouver, British Columbia and has earned 56 caps with Canada's national team since his debut in 1988.
Geoff Cameron Defender Houston Dynamo Nationality: United States Born: July 11, 1985
This 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year finalist has become a steady starter at central defender after playing primarily as a midfielder last season. He started and played every minute of the Dynamo's first 16 games this year, and has helped lead the two-time MLS Cup champs to the League's best record (9-4-5) as of July 20. Cameron has helped Houston record a League-high eight shutouts and a League-best 0.72 goals against average. He has two assists on the season, and scored twice in Houston's recent U.S. Open Cup victory over the Charleston Battery. His first professional goal, a game-tying blast on April 6, 2008, was among five finalists for 2008 MLS Goal of the Year. This is Cameron's first MLS All-Star Team selection.
Wilman Conde Defender Chicago Fire Nationality: Colombia Born: August 29, 1982
The 6-foot-2 defender is an imposing force who possesses a lethal combination of strength and skill. The Fire signed Conde in August 2007 from Millonarios in Colombia. During the 2008 regular season Conde played in 22 games and helped the Chicago defense earn 10 shutouts. Born in Cali, Conde has represented his country at the U-23, U-20, U-17 and U-15 levels. Conde is not only a defensive stalwart, but a threat to score on set plays as well. He has scored two goals this season. This is Conde's first MLS All-Star Team selection.
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado Defender Seattle Sounders FC Nationality: Colombia Born: May 16, 1984
Hurtado, who is from Palmira, Colombia, is among the reasons that Seattle's record (7-3-7) does not resemble that of an expansion team. In his first MLS season after 121 games in Colombia's first and second divisions, Hurtado has marshaled the Sounders' defense, which has allowed an average of just 0.94 goals per game, third best in MLS. His athleticism, poise and grit make him a formidable back. He also has a goal and an assist.
Chad Marshall Defender Columbus Crew Nationality: United States Born: August 22, 1984
The No. 2 overall SuperDraft pick in 2004 has spent his six-year career with the Columbus Crew. After battling some injuries early in his career, Marshall has stormed back and become one of the League's top players. He has helped lead the Crew this season to a 6-3-9 record with 27 points, where they sit tied for second on points in the Eastern Conference. Last year he was named the MLS Defender of the Year and was named to the MLS Best XI, while leading the Crew to their first MLS Cup championship. The 24 year-old Riverside, Calif., native has used his young career to catapult him onto the U.S. Men's National Team scene. He has recorded six caps for the U.S. and scored a goal in an international friendly versus Colombia on March 9, 2005. This is Marshall's first MLS All-Star team selection.
Davy Arnaud Midfielder Kansas City Wizards Nationality: United States Born: July 22, 1980
The versatile attacking midfielder scored 37 goals in his eight seasons in MLS, all of them with the Kansas City Wizards. He possesses a lethal shot from a distance, which he's used to score three of his five goals this season for the Wizards. Selected in the fifth round of the 2002 SuperDraft out of West Texas A&M University, he is third all-time on the Wizards' career scoring list. With an appearance in a 2-1 USA victory over Panama in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Arnaud now has five appearances with the U.S. National Team. He scored the first goal in the 2-2 draw with Haiti on July 11, assisted by fellow All-Star teammate Stuart Holden. This is the first All-Star selection for Arnaud.
Kyle Beckerman Midfielder Real Salt Lake Nationality: United States Born: April 23, 1982
Enjoying one of the finest seasons of his 10-year MLS career, Beckerman has become the core of Real Salt Lake and crucial to its success. The one-time captain of a U.S. Under-17 team that included Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, and Oguchi Onyewu, recently scored an emphatic first goal with the senior U.S. team - a top-corner equalizer against Panama. Real Salt Lake acquired Beckerman in a trade for Mehdi Ballouchy in July 2007. The holding midfielder from Crofton, Md., has started 182 of his 207 career games, scoring 18 goals and providing 20 assists. As the captain of Real Salt Lake, he was integral in leading his club to their first playoff appearance in 2008.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco Midfielder Chicago Fire Nationality: Mexico Born: January 17, 1973
Blanco, the unpredictable midfielder for the Chicago Fire, will be making his second consecutive appearance on the MLS All-Star Team. In 2008 he was named the game's Most Valuable Player after scoring a brilliant goal and providing an assist on a Christian Gomez goal in the MLS All-Stars 3-2 victory over West Ham United. Blanco, who received the next highest voting percentage in the midfield after Dwayne De Rosario, replaced the Toronto FC midfielder who is unavailable. He has four goals and seven assists in 13 League games this year. Blanco became the Chicago Fire's first Designated Player in 2007. He scored the Goal of the Year in 2007 on a 30-yard left-footed volley versus Real Salt Lake in Week 20. Blanco represented Mexico at two FIFA World Cups (1998 and 2002), scoring in each tournament. In 1999, he led Mexico past Brazil for the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup title, setting the tournament record for goals with nine.
Brad Davis Midfielder Houston Dynamo Nationality: United States Born: November 8, 1981
Davis makes his second MLS All-Star appearance in an eight year MLS career. With a cultured left foot, Davis is one of the top set-piece specialists in MLS and leads the League with seven assists. The 5-foot-11 midfielder from St. Charles, Mo., was picked third in the MLS SuperDraft by the MetroStars before joining the Dallas Burn for two seasons. Davis went to the San Jose Earthquakes in 2005, made his first All-Star appearance, and moved with the club to Houston for the 2006 season. He scored his first career hat trick in a 4-0 win over Chivas USA June 21, 2007, and made three appearances for the U.S. national team during the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Stuart Holden Midfielder Houston Dynamo Nationality: United States Born: August 1, 1985
Now in his fourth MLS season, all with the Houston Dynamo, Holden is establishing himself as one of the League's most exciting young talents. He has started in 15 games this season and has notched four goals and three assists, only one goal and two assists shy of his career bests in 2007 when he played in 22 games, starting 10, throughout the entire regular season. His impressive performance in just three and a half seasons has led to his inclusion on the U.S. National Team. Holden is currently representing the U.S. in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament. He scored his first international goal during the U.S.'s first round victory over Grenada and followed up with a 25-yard blast in injury time to tie Haiti in group play. In addition to his accomplishments on the field, Holden is very active in the community. In 2008, he was the Dynamo's recipient of the U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year award. This is Holden's first MLS All-Star team selection.
Shalrie Joseph Midfielder New England Revolution Nationality: Grenada Born: May 24, 1978
Widely regarded as the League's best defensive midfielder, Shalrie Joseph has added another dimension to his game in 2009 as he has started a few games at forward, and sits tied in the team lead with five goals, and leads the team with five assists. He is one goal and one assist shy of equaling his previous career highs of six goals (2005) and he's tied his career high of five assists (2007 and 2005). Now in his seventh season in the League, all with the Revolution, this is Joseph's sixth consecutive MLS All-Star Team selection. The talented and imposing 6-foot-3 midfielder also represents his native country of Grenada. Joseph has appeared more than 20 times for the Grenada National Team, and in 2007 he was named the Caribbean Player of the Year. In 2003 Joseph was honored with Grenada's Footballer of the Year award.
Freddie Ljungberg Midfielder Seattle Sounders FC Nationality: Sweden Born: April 17, 1977
Joining teammate Kasey Keller as a first-time All-Star is Ljungberg, who was signed as Seattle Sounders FC's first Designated Player in late 2008. The Swedish midfielder has adapted quickly to his surroundings and has helped lead Sounders FC to an extraordinary 7-3-7 record with 28 points - good for second place in the Western Conference. Ljungberg has recorded two goals and five assists this season. The fiery, creative midfielder has been capped 75 times by Sweden and has recorded 14 goals throughout his international career. He appeared in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup for Sweden and three European Championships (2000, 2004 and 2008). Ljungberg last played in the English Premier League for West Ham United, and prior to that starred for Arsenal FC.
Javier Morales Midfielder Real Salt Lake Nationality: Argentina Born: January 10, 1980
Morales is in his third season with Real Salt Lake, signing during the summer transfer window in August 2007. Morales recorded 15 assists in 2008 and six goals, helping lead Real Salt Lake to their first MLS Cup Playoffs appearance. He finished second in the League to countryman, Crew midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto, in assists on the season and ranked second on Real Salt Lake in goals scored. Real Salt Lake signed Morales to a four-year contract extension in 2008 that would see him in a Real Salt Lake uniform through the 2012 season. Morales started his career in the Argentine First Division with Lanús, and had stints with Newell's Old Boys, Arsenal de Sarandí and Instituto de Córdoba, before transferring to the Spanish second division club UD Vesindario.
Conor Casey Forward Colorado Rapids Nationality: United States Born: July 25, 1981
Casey earned his first MLS All-Star team selection by leading the Rapids with eight goals, which ranks third in the Budweiser Golden Boot race, one behind Seattle's Fredy Montero and two behind Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The Rapids sit in fourth place in the Western Conference thanks to Casey's resurgence as a dominant forward. He is enjoying a successful comeback on several levels. Toronto FC signed Casey in 2007, but he played only 58 minutes before being traded to Colorado. Casey suffered a knee injury upon his return, but has since fought back and scored 11 goals in 2008 to become the team's Golden Boot winner. Casey appeared in four games for the U.S. in their successful FIFA Confederations Cup run. He has appeared 14 times for the U.S. and scored one goal. In August, 2009 Casey scored a goal during a Rapids vs. Everton FC friendly, and will look to duplicate the feat at this year's MLS All-Star Game.
Brian Ching Forward Houston Dynamo Nationality: United States Born: May 24, 1978
This marks the fifth All-Star selection for the target forward from Haleiwa, Hawaii. He appeared in the 2004, 2006 and 2007 All-Star Games and was named to the inactive roster in 2008. Ching leads the Dynamo with five goals this season despite having played in just 10 games. The 31-year-old, eight-year MLS veteran has 62 career goals and 22 assists. Ching has been a member of three MLS Cup championship winning teams, two with the Dynamo and one with the San Jose Earthquakes. Perhaps his finest MLS moment in was scoring the equalizing goal in overtime of MLS Cup 2006, and then converting the Dynamo's last penalty kick in the tiebreaker over the New England Revolution. His superb MLS career has catapulted him to the international stage, where he has become a regular for the U.S. National Team.
Landon Donovan Forward Los Angeles Galaxy Nationality: United States Born: March 4, 1982
Donovan, the 2008 Budweiser Golden Boot winner, has scored six goals and four assists in 12 games this season. This marks the ninth consecutive All-Star selection for Donovan dating back to 2001, his first season in the League. Donovan was named the MVP of the 2001 All-Star Game and helped lead the San Jose Earthquakes to their first MLS Cup title that same year. He again played a starring role in the Earthquakes' second MLS Cup championship in 2003, and with the Galaxy's Cup championship in 2005. With five goals scored, Donovan is tied with Brian McBride for the most goals scored in MLS All-Star Game history. Donovan, the Galaxy captain, has missed five of the Galaxy's 17 games this year while serving national team duty for the U.S. Men. He helped lead the U.S. to their most successful finish in a major FIFA tournament when they defeated European Champions Spain and finished second to Brazil at the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.
Fredy Montero Forward Seattle Sounders FC Nationality: Colombia Born: July 26, 1987
Montero burst onto the scene this year with expansion club Seattle Sounders FC, and has hit his stride heading into the second half of the season. The two-time winner of the Colombian First Division's Golden boot was signed by Seattle Sounders FC on loan in January from Deportivo Cali, where Sounders FC and All-Star teammate Jhon Kennedy Hurtado also played before joining MLS. He has started 15 games for Sounders FC and has scored nine goals and tallied six assists to lead Seattle to second place in the Western Conference as of July 20. Born in Campo de la Cruz, Colombia, Montero joined Deportivo Cali in 2005 and led the club in scoring in the first division in 2007 and 2008. The 21-year-old striker has appeared four times for the Colombian National Team.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. MLS kicked off its 14th season on March 19, and will feature 15 teams each playing 30 regular season matches. They include Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Toronto FC and, in its inaugural season, Seattle Sounders FC. The Philadelphia Union will debut in 2010, while expansion teams in Vancouver and Portland will debut in 2011. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official website at www.MLSnet.com.
ABOUT THE HOUSTON DYNAMO
The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer franchise that won two MLS Cup championships in its first three seasons and qualified to represent the United States in four consecutive regional championships. Be sure to ask about the new Texas Children's Health Plan Family Section. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.
