MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids' Conor Casey Selected to 2009 MLS All-Star Game First XI

Published on July 13, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Monday, July 13, 2009) - Colorado Rapids forward Conor Casey was among those unveiled as the MLS All-Star First XI this afternoon on MLSnet.com's ExtraTime.

Casey will join the other MLS All-Stars for their match vs. Everton FC of the English Premier League on Wednesday, July 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium - home of Real Salt Lake - in Sandy, Utah. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 and Galavision at 7:30 p.m. MT.

Casey earns his first MLS All-Star team selection by leading the Rapids with eight goals on the season so far, which ranks third in the Budweiser MLS Golden Boot race, one behind Seattle's Fredy Montero and two behind Columbus' 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.

Just last month, Casey appeared in four games for the U.S. National Team in their successful FIFA Confederations Cup run. He has appeared 14 times for the U.S. and has scored one goal.

In August of 2008, Casey scored a goal during a Rapids vs. Everton FC friendly, and will look to duplicate that feat against goalkeeper Tim Howard at this year's MLS All-Star Game.

The MLS All-Star First XI - consisting of one goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards - received the most votes at their respective positions from four groups - fans, players, media, and coaches/general managers.

Columbus Crew midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto led all players in combined voting, followed by Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, and Casey.

On Monday, July 20, Houston 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.

2009 MLS All-Star First XI

Goalkeeper: Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC)*

Defenders: Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo)*, Wilman Conde (Chicago Fire)*, Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew)*

Midfielders: Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo)*, Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution) Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders FC)*, Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew

Forwards: Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids)*, Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

* Denotes first selection to an MLS All-Star Team

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 13, 2009


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