SBNation.com - MLS All-Star Game 2011: Previewing The Playershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2011-07-27T18:48:07-04:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20628392011-07-27T18:48:07-04:002011-07-27T18:48:07-04:00MLS All-Star Game 2011: Revolution, Timbers, Union All Have One Rep
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<h5><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a></h5>
<p><span>Brek Shea</span> is Dallas' lone All-Star representative as FCD will be traveling to El Salvador on Tuesday to face off against Alianza in their first leg CONCACAF Champions League qualifier. Shea has been a revelation for Dallas this season with nine goals in 21 games, all the more impressive considering he spent the first four games of the season at central defense. The Texas native has an MLS-leading 5 game winning goals and has been carrying the FCD offense without <span>David Ferreira</span>.</p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.bigdsoccer.com/" target="_blank">Daniel Robertson, Big D Soccer</a></p>
<h5><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a></h5>
<p><span>Shalrie Joseph</span> will be the lone representative from the New England Revolution in this exhibition, without much surprise, and will bring along with him not only many years of experience in MLS, but also 3 years of experience in the MLS All-Star game itself as well as playing experience against Manchester United from the very beginning of their 2011 US summer tour. Careful play construction and smart choices will be his strengths in this match and hopefully the Rev skipper will get his hands in some action in the attacking third, too. </p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.thebentmusket.com/" target="_blank">Corey Major, The Bent Musket</a></p>
<h5><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a></h5>
<p>Jewsbury is a great midfielder. He's solid, he's been consistent, and he's a great set piece/corner kick taker. I haven't seen every team play this year, but I'd be surprised if he wasn't in the top 5 for set piece distribution accuracy. He hasn't been perfect for the Timbers, but I'd say were the team to not have him in the squad right now the season would have gone far worse. For this reason, his inclusion into the All Star squad is no surprise and I applaud him for that. But, despite all this, we can't expect him to perform in the same way as he does with the Timbers, it's not going to happen.</p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.stumptownfooty.com/" target="_blank">Geoff Gibson, Stumptown Footy</a></p>
<h5>Philadelphia Union</h5>
<p><span>Faryd Mondragon</span> made the 2011 MLS All Star team not because of spectacular saves or being the league's best goalkeeper. Rather it is the former Colombian international's ability to organize the defenders in front of him that has placed him among the top MLS goalkeepers. The Philadelphia Union have conceded only 16 goals this year, a drastic change from last season's porous defense and Mondragon, along with his compatriot <span>Carlos Valdes</span>, has been the root of that facelift. At 40-years-old, Mondragon isn't the most nimble of players, but a goalkeeper with his positioning and organizational skills doesn't need to be. </p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.brotherlygame.com/" target="_blank">Scott Kessler, Brotherly Game</a></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/27/2298895/mls-all-star-game-2011-revolution-timbers-union-all-have-one-repJeremiah Oshan2011-07-27T18:42:23-04:002011-07-27T18:42:23-04:00MLS All-Star Game 2011: Red Bulls Will Play A Large Part
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<p>Hans Backe, manager of the 2011 MLS All-Stars, will have three players from his <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> on the pitch against Manchester United. Young USA internationals <span>Tim Ream</span> and <span>Juan Agudelo</span> are joined by former Arsenal striker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110250/thierry-henry">Thierry Henry</a>, who will be looking to score against United yet again.<br><br>Tim Ream was an integral piece of a Red Bulls defense that was among the best in MLS last season, and while New York have been shipping goals at an amazing rate this year, his individual performances have been fairly good. A good ball-playing left-footed centerback who can anticipate attacks and make good tackles, the main piece missing his game is on the attacking end: like most of the Red Bulls team, he doesn't provide much from set-pieces.<br><br>Many Red Bulls fans (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/3/13/2033980/red-bulls-juan-agudelo-looks-to-continue-his-metoric-rise">myself included</a>) had very high expectations for Juan Agudelo at the beginning of this season. It seems now that they were probably too high, and as Agudelo has gotten more playing time, more of his inadequacies have become apparent. While he has good individual skills and is one of few Red Bulls players who can score from headers, the American starlet tends to make poor choices, go for the spectacular too often, and dribble down dead ends. He may get on SportsCenter's Top 10 by scoring a spectacular goal in the All-Star Game, but Red Bulls fans will probably remember his performances this season for the expletives they shout whenever he runs into three defenders and loses the ball instead of passing.<br><br>Anyone who has paid even a small bit of attention to European football in the last ten years knows plenty about Thierry Henry, but many of the South Ward faithful were more than a bit skeptical about his commitment to the Red Bulls after a poor opening season and an even worse start to this campaign. However, since scoring late against San Jose back in April after missing a hatful of chances earlier in that game, Henry has been on a tear. He leads the Golden Boot race with 11 goals, and has used his full set of skills to score, with clinical penalty area finishes, a few poacher's goals, some brilliant distance strikes, and even a couple of headed goals. As always, he tends to drift in and out of games, a tendency for which he has received criticism, but his goal return and overall play have been excellent and Henry will likely be a major contender for league MVP come the end of the season. </p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.onceametro.com/" target="_blank">Ben Schneider, Once a Metro</a></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/27/2298887/mls-all-star-game-2011-red-bulls-will-play-a-large-partJeremiah Oshan2011-07-27T18:40:03-04:002011-07-27T18:40:03-04:00MLS All-Star Game 2011: Earthquakes Send Pair Of Reborn Stars
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<p><span>Chris Wondolowski</span>: After rising from the anonymity deservedly bestowed upon a player who tallied a total of 7 goals in his first five MLS seasons, Chris Wondolowski burst into the public consciousness with a stunning 18 goal campaign last season that saw him collect the MLS Golden Boot. Narrowing missing out to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a> midfielder <span>David Ferreira</span> on being named MLS MVP, Wondolowski capped off his remarkable year by scoring the last 10 goals for the Earthquakes and leading his team into the postseason. In the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, he scored the aggregate series winner against New York in a 3-1 victory at Red Bull Arena. His selection as a forward to the MLS All-Star game First XI as voted on by the public - the first invite of his career - comes as Wondolowski again leads his team in scoring with 8 goals and recently completed a spell with the U.S. National Team at the 2011 Gold Cup.</p>
<p><span>Bobby Convey</span>: Only 28 years old, Bobby Convey started his MLS career in 2000 with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/dc-united">DC United</a> before spending five seasons with Reading FC in the top two tiers of English football. Upon his return to MLS in 2009, Convey has become a fixture for the Earthquakes on the left side, splitting his time between the wing and the outside back position. A solid 2010 season, which saw Convey score 1 goal and tally 10 assists, earned the Philadelphia native the MLS Comeback Player of the Year award. His selection as a defender by coach Hans Backe to the All-Star roster marks the fourth time he as been selected to play in the MLS summer classic, and is the second straight season the Earthquakes highest priced player has made the team. In last season's first round playoff series against New York, Convey had his most complete game of his Earthquakes tenure, notching two goals in the second leg at Red Bull Arena as San Jose advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. </p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.quakerattleandgoal.com/" target="_blank">Robert Jonas, Quake, Rattle & Goal</a></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/27/2298878/mls-all-star-game-2011-earthquakes-send-pair-of-reborn-starsJeremiah Oshan2011-07-27T18:34:00-04:002011-07-27T18:34:00-04:00MLS All-Star Game 2011: Dynamo Well Represented
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> got four players on the 2011 MLS All-Star roster...I'm not completely sure how. <span>Brad Davis</span> deserves to be there, much like he deserves attention from Bob Bradley for the national team. Davis has been one of the few offensive bright spots for Houston, leading both the team and all of MLS with 9 assist and it's great to see him get the laurels his play deserves. <span>Tally Hall</span> certainly deserves his spot as well, in his first season as the Dynamo's first choice goalkeeper, Hall has been outstanding saving the team's bacon on multiple occasions and helping them steal points in several games where they likely deserved less.</p>
<p>Then there's <span>Corey Ashe</span> and <span>Geoff Cameron</span>. Nothing against either player but why are they on the All-Star team? Cameron is having a mediocre season at best playing out of position and Ashe is having a decent season playing out of position. If you wanted a defender from Houston, why not <span>Andre Hainault</span> who is clearly the team's best defender and is having an outstanding year. In all honesty, with the problems the Dynamo are having, the idea of four starters being gone for a pointless mid-week exhibition ahead of an absolute must win game is nothing to be excited about. </p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/" target="_blank">Zach Woosley, Dynamo Theory</a></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/27/2298865/mls-all-star-game-2011-dynamo-well-representedJeremiah Oshan2011-07-27T18:32:07-04:002011-07-27T18:32:07-04:00MLS All-Star Game 2011: Kasey Keller Will Be There, Osvaldo Alonso Won't
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<p><strong><span>Kasey Keller</span></strong>: He may be aging, but he is the face of US Soccer for a generation and so there is little surprise that he was elected to the First XI. While he may not get the reflex saves that he once did he still has the leadership and experience to be a top 5 keeper in the League. Keller also managed to strong-arm the league back onto the active roster and will fly into the game from the match in Panama the day before the All-Star Game. Keller has a 0.95 Goals Against Average with a 72.8 Save Percentage. </p>
<p><strong><span>Osvaldo Alonso</span></strong>: He wants the ball back, and he don't care who has it. Affectionately nicknamed the Honey Badger out in Seattle he is one of the best ball winners MLS has seen over the past three seasons. The Cuban political refugee also adds the threat of a long range shot to the Sounders arsenal and is becoming a much better passer. He is one of the Inactive All-Stars. Alonso has 3 Goals and 2 Assists in 21 Appearances, all starts. </p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.sounderatheart.com/" target="_blank">Dave Clark, Sounder at Heart</a></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/27/2298860/mls-all-star-game-2011-kasey-keller-will-be-there-osvaldo-alonso-wontJeremiah Oshan2011-07-27T18:27:17-04:002011-07-27T18:27:17-04:00MLS All-Star Game 2011: Heath Pearce, Nick LaBrocca Heading To NY
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<p>When <span>Nick LaBrocca</span> was obtained in a trade for Alan Gordon from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> in March, few expected more than a squad player. But he took an opportunity to restart his career on a rebuilding team with a new coach, has been involved in one-third of the team's goals to this point, and provides some grit in the midfield as well. His rise this season has been surprising, but LaBrocca deserves the plaudits he's receiving with an MLS all-star selection.<br><br><span>Heath Pearce</span> was traded to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://delete.sbnprivate.com/">Chivas USA</a> from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a> in the offseason, and the plans had a new backline being created around him and <span>Jimmy Conrad</span>. But with Conrad going down with a concussion in the second game of the season, Pearce has picked up the slack and rejuvenated Chivas' defense. Moving from right back to central defense, even though he's never played the position, Pearce has proved to be a steady presence for a young team. He may be under the league's radar, but Pearce's MLS all-star selection is much deserved.</p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.thegoatparade.com/" target="_blank">Alicia Ratterree, The Goat Parade</a></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/27/2298849/mls-all-star-game-2011-heath-pearce-nick-labrocca-heading-to-nyJeremiah Oshan2011-07-27T18:24:22-04:002011-07-27T18:24:22-04:00MLS All-Star Game 2011: David Beckham Repping For LA Galaxy
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<p>The story for the LA Galaxy players left in the MLS All-Star game is the one you'd expect for a team formed at midseason: fitness. While <span>David Beckham</span> is scheduled to be in New York, speaking on behalf of MLS with the former team angle, many of the other LA players are staying away. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110934/landon-donovan">Landon Donovan</a> suffered a right calf injury in practice, and will not be in the gameday lineup, and <span>Omar Gonzalez</span> suffered a fractured nose in practice so will also be out. <span>Sean Franklin</span> made the gameday roster, he's a great left or right back (he's flipped many times) who is capable of running up the sideline to participate in the offensive attack.</p>
<p>- <a href="http://lagconfidential.com/" target="_blank">Josie Becker, LAG Confidential</a></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/27/2298842/mls-all-star-game-2011-david-beckham-repping-for-la-galaxyJeremiah Oshan2011-07-27T18:21:43-04:002011-07-27T18:21:43-04:00MLS All-Star Game 2011: Quick Look At Real Salt Lake's Entrants
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> will be sending two players to the All-Star match this week, first up is RSL's captain <span>Kyle Beckerman</span>. <br>Kyle is the cornerstone of Real Salt Lake's team is the star mentality, he has taken control of the team as their captain, and in matches he imposes his control with his no holds barred approach to the game. He isn't the biggest, or the fastest, but he is one of the best soccer minds that play central defense in Major League Soccer, he understands his role in being the stop gap used to disrupt opposing teams from being able to go on offense and then being able to quickly change roles and become an offensive threat via his passes and ability to create for others, he has 5 assists so far this year. He also has been known to take a shot or two and so far this year he has found the back of the net twice, but it is his ability to simply be a disruptive force in the midfield that has made him one of the very best defensive midfielders in the league today.</p>
<p>Kyle will be joined in New York by <span>Jamison Olave</span>, the 2010 defensive player of the year and one of the stalwarts of the RSL defense. Most people have a hard time seeing past his physical presence and for a player who is about 6'2 and 220 lbs it is easy to understand why, but what is lost is the fact that Olave is probably one of the 10 fastest players in MLS and that speed makes him a very dangerous player. The ability to move forward on set pieces and still be able to get back to break up counter attacks, makes him double dangerous he already has 2 goals and 1 assist this year and the RSL defense has allowed just 12 goals in 18 matches. While he is only in his 4th season with Major League Soccer he is quickly becoming the standard by which other center backs are measured.</p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.rslsoapbox.com/" target="_blank">Denzel Eslinger, RSL Soapbox</a></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/7/27/2298837/mls-all-star-game-2011-quick-look-at-real-salt-lakes-entrantsJeremiah Oshan