CARSON, Calif. (Sunday, July 8, 2012) – LA Galaxy midfielders David Beckham and Landon Donovan were each named to the MLS All-Star First XI this afternoon. The announcement was made at halftime of the Galaxy’s 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. 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.
WATCH: 2012 MLS All-Star Game First XI
Beckham, Donovan and the rest of the MLS All-Stars will face reigning European Champions Chelsea in the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 25. That game will be played at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. and can be seen live on ESPN2 and TeleFutura in the United States with kick off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
The 11 players named to the First XI will not necessarily be 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.
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.
For Donovan, this is the MLS record 12th time that he has been named to the All-Star Team, surpassing the former record of 11, which was held by Eddie Pope. Tied for the team lead in goals and assists this season, Donovan has six goals and five assists on the year for LA with the club going 6-1-0 in games when he has a goal or an assist. The Galaxy captain, Donovan has four goals and two assists in six games since June 17 as LA have gone 4-2-0 to climb into fifth place in the Western Conference.
Beckham will join Donovan in the All-Star Game for the second straight season and for the third time since signing with the Galaxy in 2007. Tied for the team lead with five assists to go along with three goals on the season, Beckham continues to show why he is one of the best dead ball specialists in the world. Two of his three goals coming directly from freekicks while two of his five assists have come from set pieces. He finished second in MLS last season with 15 assists and then recorded one in all four of LA’s postseason games as he helped the Galaxy win their third MLS Cup and first since 2005.
Beckham, Donovan and the rest of the Galaxy will be back in action on Saturday, July 14 when they travel north to face the Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field. That game, which will be shown live on the NBC Sports Network, kicks off at 8 p.m. and will be the second game in the club’s current three-game road trip. That road trip will conclude in Vancouver against the Whitecaps on Wednesday, July 18 before the Galaxy return home for the second leg of the SuperClasico against Chivas USA on Saturday, July 21 at The Home Depot Center. For more information about these games, or to purchase tickets to any Galaxy home game, please visit lagalaxy.com/tickets or call 877-342-5299.
2012 MLS All-Star First XI
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)
