MLS Major League Soccer

First XI Announced for 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game

Published on July 8, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK (Sunday, July 8, 2012) - Major League Soccer announced the 2012 MLS All-Star First XI today.

On Wednesday, July 25 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa., the MLS All-Stars will face European Champions Chelsea FC in the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game (live on ESPN2, TeleFutura, and in Canada on TSN and RDS starting at 8:30 p.m. ET).

The First XI received the most votes at their respective positions from combined fan voting on three platforms - online at MLSsoccer.com, via text message, and via Twitter. The ballot consisted of six players from each club, as chosen by a panel of media members.

A 4-4-2 formation was selected for this year's First XI. Bios for the 11 All-Stars named today are at the bottom of this release.

2012 MLS All-Star First XI - As voted by fans

Goalkeeper: Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting Kansas City)

Defenders: Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Aurélien Collin (Sporting Kansas City), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Heath Pearce (New York Red Bulls)

Midfielders: David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Forwards: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen was the winner of the AT&T Text Voting, receiving 27% of all text votes submitted between June 8 and July 2.

This is the 12th consecutive season Donovan has been named an MLS All-Star, making him the outright leader for the most All-Star nods in MLS history, surpassing Eddie Pope.

Players who were close to the leading vote-getters at their positions, but finished outside the First XI included, in alphabetical order by last name: Kyle Beckerman (RSL), Eric Brunner (POR), Marvin Chavez (SJ), Andy Gruenebaum (CLB), Dan Kennedy (CHV), Fredy Montero (SEA) and Brek Shea (DAL).

The First XI are not necessarily included on the game day roster. MLS All-Star coach Ben Olsen will select the roster based on player availability and tactical considerations, but all First XI players are All-Stars.

Two selections by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, and Olsen's complete 18-man game day roster, will be announced on Sunday, July 15 during ESPN's broadcast of the New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders FC game that begins at 4 p.m. ET.

Under the CBA, a total of 32 players will be named All-Stars. After the game day roster, the remaining players receiving the All-Star honor will come from voting among MLS players and will be announced July 25.

Bios for 2012 MLS All-Star First XI:

(Listed by position in a 4-4-2 formation)

Jimmy Nielsen Goalkeeper Sporting Kansas City Nationality: Denmark Born: August 6, 1977

Nielsen has led his team to a 10-5-3 record through Sporting Kansas City's first 18 matches of 2012, and is ranked first in the League for goalkeeper wins (10) and goals against average (min. of 10 games) with a 0.94. Since joining the league in 2010, Nielsen has recorded 23 shutouts and a 32-26-19 record. Sporting Kansas City's captain began his professional career with his hometown club AaB Aalborg, helping the team to the 1999 Danish Superliga championship. Named Danish Goalkeeper of the Year in 1998 and 2004. This is Nielsen's second MLS All-Star team selection.

Steven Beitashour Defender San Jose Earthquakes Nationality: USA Born: February 1, 1987

A Bay Area product and a third-year pro, Beitashour has emerged as one of the top right backs in MLS. This year, he has helped lead the Earthquakes to the League's best record (11-4-3) through July 6, contributing six assists in 18 games - tied for fourth-best in MLS.. Selected in the second round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft out of San Diego State, Beitashour led the Quakes with seven assists in 2011. This is his first MLS All-Star selection.

Aurélien Collin Defender Sporting Kansas City Nationality: France Born: March 8, 1986

A tenacious central defender, Collin has anchored Sporting's defense this season starting all 18 matches of 2012, while scoring three goals. He joined Sporting Kansas City as a trialist last March, and after signing with the club, he appeared in 23 games, starting 21, and contributed three goals in 2011. The Frenchman has played professionally in the Scottish Premier League (2007-2008), Greek Super League (2008-2009) and the Portuguese top flight (2009-2011). This is his first MLS All-Star Team selection.

Jay DeMerit Defender Vancouver Whitecaps FC Nationality: USA Born: December 4, 1979

DeMerit has helped lead Whitecaps FC to a League-leading nine shutouts and an 8-4-6 record this season, playing in 17 games and scoring one goal. DeMerit became Whitecaps FC's first MLS signing and captain in November 2010, coming to Vancouver after six seasons with England's Watford FC. The U.S. international appeared in every match of his country's campaign at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This is his first MLS All-Star team selection.

Heath Pearce Defender New York Red Bulls Nationality: USA Born: August 13, 1984

Pearce, one of the elite defenders in MLS, is having a strong debut season with New York. Pearce first came to MLS in late 2009, signing with FC Dallas, where he played the bulk of the 2010 season at right back, and finished second on the team in assists (6). He then spent the 2011 and the first part of 2012 with Chivas USA before being sent to New York May 17 in exchange for Juan Agudelo. His pro career began after three seasons at the University of Portland when he joined FC Nordsjælland of Denmark, then moved to German side Hansa Rostock. Pearce has represented the United States on 35 occasions. This is his third MLS All-Star team selection.

David Beckham Midfielder LA Galaxy Nationality: England Born: May 2, 1975

Beckham joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 after completing a championship season with Real Madrid. As of July 6, 2012, Beckham had three goals and five assists in 15 regular season games this year. Last season, Beckham helped the Galaxy win MLS Cup and claim the Supporters Shield for the second consecutive year. For England's national team, Beckham has appeared in 115 games, scoring 17 times. More than 50 of Beckham's caps have come as the England captain. This is his third MLS All-Star selection.

Dwayne De Rosario Midfielder D.C. United Nationality: Canada Born: May 15, 1978

De Rosario, the 2011 Volkswagen MLS MVP and winner of the 2011 MLS Budweiser Golden Boot, finished last season with 16 goals and 12 assists. So far this year, he has five goals and League-leading 10 assists while helping D.C. United achieve first place in the Eastern Conference at midseason with a 10-5-3 record as of July 6. In 2006, De Rosario scored the lone goal in the MLS All-Star game, a 1-0 win over Chelsea FC. De Rosario has 19 goals in 67 appearances for the Canadian national team. This is his seventh MLS All-Star team selection.

Landon Donovan Midfielder LA Galaxy Nationality: USA Born: March 4, 1982

Donovan, the 2008 Golden Boot Winner and 2009 Volkswagen MLS MVP, has earned his League-record 12th consecutive All-Star selection dating back to 2001, his first season in the League. In 2011, Donovan captained the Galaxy to its third MLS Cup title - scoring the final's only goal - and the Supporters' Shield for the second straight season. This season, Donovan has six goals and four assists in 15 games. Donovan has 143 caps for the U.S. Men's National Team and is the all-time leader in goals (49).

Graham Zusi Midfielder Sporting Kansas City Nationality: USA Born: August 18, 1986

The 23rd overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, Zusi secured his starting spot with Sporting Kansas City last season, notching five goals and a team-high seven assists. This season, Zusi has two goals for Sporting and is second in the League with assists (8) as of July 6. In his four seasons at the University of Maryland, Zusi helped the Terapins win the National Championship in 2005 and 2008. Earlier this year, Zusi earned his first two caps with the U.S. men's national team, scoring the game winner against Panama on Jan. 25. This is his first MLS All-Star team selection.

Thierry Henry Forward New York Red Bulls Nationality: France Born: August 17, 1977

Last year, the French World Cup champion shined in his first full season with the New York Red Bulls, scoring 14 goals and adding four assists in 26 games. This season, Henry has nine goals and five assists in eleven games. Henry's pro career began in 1990 with AS Monaco (France), and included successful stints at Juventus (Italy), Arsenal (England) and FC Barcelona (Spain) before he joined the Red Bulls midway through 2010. Henry has 123 caps for France, and is the all-time leading scorer with 51 goals. This is his second MLS All-Star Team selection.

Chris Wondolowski Forward San Jose Earthquakes Nationality: USA Born: January 28, 1983

The eight-year MLS veteran has established himself as one of the league's top goal-scorers with 48 regular-season tallies since the start of 2010, more than any other player. The American striker led the Earthquakes in scoring in 2011 with 16 goals (tied for most in MLS) and had three assists. He won the MLS Golden Boot in 2010 with 18 goals, and has started 2012 strong, leading the League in goals with 14 in 16 games, as of July 6, putting him on pace to tie or break the all-time single-season goals record of 27 set by Roy Lassiter in 1006. In 2012, Wondolowski earned his first call-up to the U.S. National Team, and has since appeared in eight games. This is his second MLS All-Star team selection.

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