|
A trio of World Cup-winning players highlights the 2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI, who along with the rest of the MLS All-Stars, will take on reigning La Liga and UEFA Champions League titleholders Real Madrid in Chicago on Aug. 2. The lineup includes Chicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, reigning league MVP David Villa of New York City FC and Orlando City midfielder Kaka. Including 2015 MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC, these players have combined for three FIFA World Cup titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, three Club World Cup titles, two Confederations Cups, one UEFA Euro win, and 15 European league crowns (Bundesliga, 8; La Liga, 4; Serie A, 3). While 10 of the 11 players on the Fan XI were determined by fan voting online, the 11th player was determined through the EA SPORTS "More Than a Vote" Challenge. Giovinco finished first as fans scored more than 1.1 million goals for the Toronto FC star in EA SPORTS FIFA 17. Other players who finished in the top five were Jozy Altidore of Toronto FC, the LA Galaxy's Giovani dos Santos, Nemanja Nikolic of the Chicago Fire and Villa. There is a solid U.S. presence in the fan XI as well, with 2014 World Cup veterans Michael Bradley of Toronto FC, Sporting Kansas City defender Graham Zusi, Houston Dynamo midfielder DaMarcus Beasley, and Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard all included. Atlanta United defender Greg Garza was also voted in. In addition to Schweinsteiger and Garza, the lineup also contains two players who are brand new to MLS this season. Nikolic, who leads the league in scoring with 16 goals in 19 appearances, was voted in, as was Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron, who currently has eight goals and eight assists this season. His combined total of goals and assists ranks fourth in MLS in 2017. The 2017 MLS All-Star game day roster, consisting of 24 players, will be announced in mid-July and will include the 2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI, two Commissioner's Picks, and 11 players selected by All-Star Head Coach Veljko Paunovic, whose Chicago Fire have the most points in MLS.
|
