Kaka, David Villa, Nick Rimando included in MLS All-Star Game Fan XI
Ahead of the United States Men's National Team 1-1 draw versus Panama at the Gold Cup on Monday, Major League Soccer unveiled the first group of players who will feature at the 2015 MLS All-Star Game.
The event will take place at the home of the Colorado Rapids, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, July 29 and will feature the MLS All-Stars taking on Tottenham Hotspur.
Among the first group of players, known as the the Fan XI list since it's voted on by supporters, are a mix of international names and Americans:
- Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
- Defender: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)
- Defender: Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)
- Defender: DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo)
- Midfielder: Kaka (Orlando City SC)
- Midfielder: Michael Bradley (Toronto FC)
- Midfielder: Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City)
- Midfielder: Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
- Forward: David Villa (New York City FC)
- Forward: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders)
- Forward: Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders) - "More than a Vote" winner
It should be noted that Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, who could never play together in England's starting XI and have both yet to play a single game since crossing the Atlantic Ocean, will also take part in the MLS All-Star Game as commissioner Don Garber's picks.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Giovinco, who is arguably the most talented player that MLS has seen, was somehow omitted from the Fan XI. For those wondering how just a travesty could unfold, media members nominated a total of eight players from each club and supporters then voted through online balloting and via social media.