MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Defender Conde Selected to the 2009 MLS All-Star Squad

Published on July 13, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (July 13, 2009) - Major League Soccer (MLS) today announced that Chicago Fire defender Wilman Conde has been selected to the league's All-Star First XI. The 14th annual MLS midsummer showcase will bring together the best in MLS for a marquee match up against English Premier League club Everton FC. The game will be held on July 29th at Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah and televised nationally on ESPN2 and Telefutura at 8:30 p.m. CT. This is Conde's first MLS All-Star Team selection.

The Fire signed Conde in August 2007 from Millonarios in Colombia and the defender made an immediate impact playing in seven of the remaining league matches and all three of the squad's 2007 MLS Cup playoff games. In 2008, Conde played in 22 games and helped the Chicago defense earn 10 shutouts on the season. Conde is not only a defensive stalwart, but a threat in the attack as well. He has scored two goals this season while appearing in 12 of 16 contests. Born in Cali, Conde has represented his country at the U-23, U-20, U-17 and U-15 levels.

The First XI received the most votes at their respective positions from four groups - fans, players, media, and coaches/general managers. Joining Conde on the All-Star First XI are: goalkeeper Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders), defenders Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo) and Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), midfielders Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution). Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC), and forwards Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy) and Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids).

The First XI is reflective of Major League Soccer's diverse player pool, as seven nations are represented and the age range is from 23 years to 39 years. Holden, 23, is the youngest member of the First XI, 16 years younger than the First XI's most senior member, 39-year-old Keller. Five members of the First XI have played for the U.S. Men's National Team, while four others have represented their countries at the senior level -- Schelotto (Argentina), Ljungberg (Sweden), Joseph (Grenada) and De Rosario (Canada).

On Monday, July 20, Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear and his staff's selections will be announced. Two Commissioner's selections will complete the 18-man game-day roster. Kinnear earned the honor of coaching the MLS side by leading his team to the highest points per game average in the League through games on June 28.

The First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup. Kinnear will select the starters based on player availability and tactical considerations. If First XI selections are unavailable due to injury, international duty or other commitments, Kinnear will select alternates for the game day roster, but all First XI players are All-Stars. The inactive, or alternate All-Star roster, will be announced at a later date.

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.

Conde and the Fire return to action this Wednesday, July 15 as they face the New England Revolution in the SuperLiga semifinals at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA (6 p.m., TeleFutura). The team gets back to MLS action on Saturday, July 18, at TOYOTA PARK where the Fire will face the San Jose Earthquakes (7:30 p.m., My50 Chicago). Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, at the TOYOTA PARK Box Office, www.chicago-fire.com or by calling 888-MLS-FIRE.

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