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MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Keller Voted to 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star First XI

July 10, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


NEW YORK - Kasey Keller of Seattle Sounders FC has been named to the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star First XI after receiving the most votes among goalkeepers by the fans. It is the second time Keller has been voted to the All-Star First XI and the third time he has made the team in his three seasons in MLS.

Keller, 41, is playing his 20th and final professional season. He was voted to the All-Star XI along with Freddie Ljungberg in 2009 and last year Keller was named an inactive reserve.

On Wednesday, July 27 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., the MLS All-Stars will face the defending English Premier League champions Manchester United in the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game (live on ESPN2, Galavision, and TSN 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 online and text voting ballot consisted of six players from each club, as chosen by a panel of media members.

A 4-3-3 formation was selected for this year's First XI because the third-ranked forward received more than twice as many votes as the fourth-place midfielder. Bios for the 12 All-Stars named today are at the bottom of this release.

2010 MLS All-Star First XI

Goalkeeper:Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounder FC)

Defenders:Sean Franklin (LA Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Rafa Marquez (New York Red Bulls), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls).

Midfielders:David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Jack Jewsbury (Portland Timbers), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)

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

AT&T Text Voting Winner:

Defender: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)

Fan participation in All-Star voting increased by 53% this year compared to 2010.

The MLS All-Star First XI includes three of the top four goal scorers through July 8, 2011 - Thierry Henry, Landon Donovan and Brek Shea, who combined have netted 25 goals in the first half of the season. Donovan's selection ties him with Eddie Pope for the most All-Star nods in MLS history - each have 11.

Besler received an astounding 30 percent of all text votes submitted between June 8 and July 5 and he received nearly three times as many text votes as the next closest player.

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: Danny Califf (PHI), Charlie Davies (DC), Dwayne De Rosario (DC), Justin Mapp (PHI), Donovan Ricketts (LA), and Nick Rimando (RSL).

The First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup. MLS All-Star coach Hans Backe 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, Backe will select alternates for the game day roster, but all First XI players are All-Stars.

Two selections by MLS Commissioner Don Garber will be announced July 16. The complete game day roster will be announced on Monday, July 18.

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 be announced July 25.

Bios for 2011 MLS All-Star First XI:

(Listed by position in a 4-3-3 formation)

Kasey Keller Goalkeeper Seattle Sounders FC Nationality: USA Born: November 29, 1969

In what Keller has said will be his last professional season, he led his team to an 8-4-8 record through the Sounders' first 20 matches of 2011, and ranked second in the league for goalkeeper wins (8) and save percentage (75.7). Beginning his professional career in England with Millwall F.C. before moving to Leicester City F.C., La Liga Rayo Vallecano, and EPL team Tottenham Hotspur F.C., Keller made his MLS debut on Mar 19, 2009, in the Sounders 3-0 victory. Keller also won MLS Save of the Year for his stop vs. KC (Apr 17, 2009) and six of his 82 saves were voted MLS Save of the Week. This is Keller's third MLS All-Star team selection.

Omar Gonzalez Defender LA Galaxy Nationality: USA Born: October 11, 1988

A 2010 MLS Best XI selection and MLS Defender of the Year finalist, Gonzalez has quickly become one of the best central defenders in the league. While appearing in 18 of 21 matches this season, Gonzalez has helped LA maintain the second fewest goals allowed, (16), and has helped lead the Galaxy to the League's best record (10-2-9) as of July 10. Gonzalez scored the game-winning goal against Chicago on April 17. Gonzalez was the 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year after starring at the University of Maryland. Gonzalez has two caps with the U.S. National Team, making his debut in a friendly against Brazil on Aug 10, 2010. This is Gonzalez's second selection to the MLS All-Star Team, and his second XI.

Sean Franklin Defender LA Galaxy Nationality: USA Born: March 21, 1985

The No. 4 overall selection in the 2008 SuperDraft has spent his four-year career with the LA Galaxy. Franklin has been in a leader in the Galaxy's 2011 campaign, appearing in all 21 of the Galaxy's games (tied for first in the league among field players), starting 18. Last season he set a career-high with six assists, finishing third on the club. A four-year star at Cal-State Northridge, Franklin started all 67 games of college career. Franklin represented the U.S. at the Under-20 and Under-23 levels. He made his senior national team debut in a 1-1 draw with Chile (Jan 22, 2011). Franklin was the 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year. This is Franklin's first MLS All-Star Team selection.

Rafael Márquez Defender New York Red Bulls Nationality: Mexico Born: February 13, 1979

Mexican National Team captain Márquez joined the New York Red Bulls during the 2010 season as a Designated Player. A savvy defender with excellent distribution abilities, Márquez has helped the Red Bulls to a 6-4-10 record, second in the Eastern Conference, as of July 10. He has contributed one assist while starting in nine games this season. By winning the 2006 UEFA Champions League with FC Barcelona, he became the first Mexican to win the honor. During the 2008-09 season, Márquez made 37 appearances for an FC Barcelona side that won the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Supercopa de Espana, Copa del Ray, and FIFA Club World Cup titles. During the 2010 World Cup, Márquez captained the Mexico national team, leading them to the Round of 16. On Mar 29, 2011, Marquez became the eighth player in history to reach 100 caps for Mexico in a friendly match against Venezuela where Mexico drew 1-1 against Venezuela. During the 2010 season, Márquez appeared in ten matches for the Red Bulls, scoring a goal and an assist. He led the club to a 5-2-3 record in the 10 matches he played in. This is Márquez's first MLS All-Star Team selection.**

Tim Ream Defender New York Red Bulls Nationality: USA Born: October 5, 1987

Ream, a finalist for the 2010 Rookie of the Year award, has been a consistent presence on the New York Red Bulls back line. He has started and played in 14 of the Red Bulls' 20 games this year. Between April 9, 2011 and May 7, 2011, Ream anchored a Red Bulls defense that did not allow a goal in 333 consecutive minutes. During his four seasons at Saint Louis University, Ream earned the 2009 Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award after scoring a career-high six goals and contributing five assists. He made his international debut for the United States National Team on Nov 17, 2010, starting and playing 67 minutes in a 1-0 victory over South Africa in Cape Town. In 2010, Ream was voted Red Bulls Defender of the Year. He led the league and club in games played (30) and minutes played (2700), leading the Red Bulls to a single-season franchise record 13 shutouts. This is Ream's first MLS All-Star Team selection.

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

Beckham joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 and was the first MLS player signed under the Designated Player rule. As of July 10, 2011, Beckham is ranked second in the league in assists (8), first in game-winning assists (4) and has scored two goals while leading the Galaxy's attack which has tallied 27 goals in 21 games. In 2008, his first full season in MLS, Beckham had a team-best 10 assists to go along with five goals in 25 games. Beckham spent 12 years with Manchester United, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the 1999 UEFA Champions League. He was named the runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1999 and 2001. In 2003, Beckham joined Real Madrid C.F., helping lead the club to the 2006-07 La Liga title in his final year with the club. Beckham played in nearly 150 games in his four years with the club scoring 11 goals in all competitions. Beckham has appeared in 115 career games for England, scoring 17 times.

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

Donovan is currently tied with New York's Thierry Henry for the lead Budweiser Golden Boot Award (top goal scorer) with nine goals, while leading the Galaxy to the league's best overall record. Donovan, the 2008 Golden Boot Winner and 2009 Volkswagen MLS MVP, has earned his 11th All-Star selection dating back to 2001, his first season in the League, and tying him for the all-time lead with Eddie Pope. With five goals scored, Donovan is tied with Brian McBride for the most goals scored in MLS All-Star Game history. In 2010, Donovan set a new career-high with 16 assists while captaining the Galaxy to the Supporters' Shield for the first time in his career. Donovan also tallied seven goals that season, second most on the team. Last summer, Donovan electrified the FIFA World Cup audience with one of the greatest goals in U.S. history, securing a victory over Algeria in the 91st minute. Donovan's three World Cup goals helped lead the U.S. team to the Round of 16.

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

The French soccer legend has shined in his first full season with the New York Red Bulls, currently tied with Landon Donovan for most goals in MLS (9 each). As of June 2011, Henry was ranked first in MLS on the Castrol Index. Between April 16, 2011 and May 25, 2011, Henry had six consecutive games with a goal or assist. Henry made his MLS debut on July 31, 2010 in a 2-2 draw against Houston, assisting both goals to Juan Pablo Angel. In 2010, he had two goals and three assists in 11 regular season appearances. Henry began his career in 1990 with AS Monaco FC, followed by one year with Serie A Juventus F.C (1999), EPL Arsenal F.C. (1999-2007), and La Liga FC Barcelona (2007-2010). Henry has a total of 123 caps for the France National Team, and is the country's all-time leading scorer with 51 goals. Henry was the European Golden Boot winner in 2004 and 2005, and was the top goal-scorer in the Premier League for four seasons (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006). This is Henry's first MLS All-Star Team selection.**

Jack Jewsbury Midfielder Portland Timbers Nationality: USA Born: April 13, 1981

After years in Kansas City, the veteran midfielder moved to the expansion Portland Timbers in the off-season, and is now enjoying a career season as captain of his new team. He has been the Timbers' most consistent performer this season, tallying four goals and six assists (tied for fourth in the league) from his central midfield position. Between April 30, 2011 and May 21, 2011, Jewsbury had four consecutive games with an assist, first in the league. He is also ranked second with three game-winning assists. A Joplin, Missouri native, he played at St. Louis University for four seasons, earning Conference USA Player of the Year honors his senior year. He was drafted in 2003 by Kansas City, and spent eight seasons with the club, playing in 195 MLS games, and contributing 14 goals and 20 assists.

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

The seven-year MLS veteran is establishing himself as one of the league's top goal-scorers. The American striker struggled to find playing time early in his MLS career, but won the MLS Golden Boot in 2010 with 18 goals, and has started 2011 strong with six goals in 13 games. Wondolowski currently sits tied for fourth in the standings for the Budweiser Golden Boot with six goals, and has contributed to a San Jose club with 22 goals, as of July 6. The California native had a successful college career at Division II Chico State, and later earned a place on the Earthquakes roster, where he led the reserve team in goals in the 2005 season. He stayed on the roster following the team's move to Houston, but scored just four goals in 37 appearances over the next three seasons, before being re-acquired by San Jose in 2009. At his goal-scoring best in late 2010, he recorded two hat-tricks in less than a month, and eventually earned his first call-up to the U.S. National Team. This summer, he was named to the U.S. roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Brek Shea Midfielder FC Dallas Nationality: USA Born: February 28, 1990

The young FC Dallas winger has always been noted for his speed and versatility, but he is arriving as a goal-scorer in a big way this season, as he currently sits tied for second in the standings for the Budweiser Golden Boot with eight goals, and ranks first in the league for game-winning goals (4). Shea has also led an explosive FC Dallas offense to 26 goals, first in the Western Conference as of July 6. Shea did not play college soccer and instead turned professional straight out of high school, and was the second overall selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. While playing at the U.S. residency program in Bradenton, Florida, Shea played extensively for the United States U-17 team. He later moved to the U-20 national team, whom he has represented at the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Shea received his first appearance with the full U.S. Men's National Team on Oct 12, 2010 when he played the first half of a 0-0 draw with Colombia. He was the first player born in the 1990s to make an appearance for the full U.S. National Team. This is Shea's first MLS All-Star Team selection.

Bio for AT&T Text Voting Winner:

Matt Besler Defender Sporting Kansas City Nationality: USA Born: February 11, 1987

After receiving an astounding 30 percent of all text votes submitted, Besler joins the All-Star team from resurgent Sporting Kansas City, where he has been the team's MVP so far this season. Deployed as a central defender or left-back, Besler helped his club follow a taxing 10-game road trip to start the season with an eight-game unbeaten streak entering Week 17. Besler scored his first career goal on Mar 26, 2011 against the Chicago Fire. Besler has started in three of Kansas City's shutouts this season. A native of the Kansas City area, Besler played four seasons at the University of Notre Dame, and was named an All-American his senior season. Sporting Kansas City gave him the opportunity to return to his hometown when they drafted him 8th overall in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. He earned immediate playing time in his rookie season when he made 26 starts, and has since solidified his place as a first-team defender for Sporting.

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