CARSON, Calif. (Wednesday, July 16, 2014) – LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer announced today that Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez have been named to the MLS Fan XI that will face German-champions FC Bayern Munich in the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game. The match will kick off at 6:30 p.m. PT August 6 at Providence Park in Portland and be broadcast live on ESPN2, UniMas, and in Canada on TSN and RDS.
This is Donovan’s MLS-record 14thconsecutive All-Star selection dating back to 2001, his first season in the league. The all-time leader in goals and assists for the Galaxy, Donovan has scored three times and added four assists while making 13 appearances in the league this season. With 137 career MLS goals, he is also the all-time leading scorer in MLS history, surpassing Jeff Cunningham earlier this year.
Gonzalez’ selection marks the fourth time the defender has been named an MLS All-Star. Drafted third overall by the Galaxy in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, he has been named MLS Rookie of the Year (2009), Defender of the Year (2011) and to three MLS Best XI’s (2010, 2011, 2013), while helping the Galaxy win two MLS Cups (2011, 2012) and two Supporters’ Shields (2010, 2011). In addition to his six appearances for the Galaxy this year, Gonzalez also was a member of U.S. Men’s National Team in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Fan XI received the most votes at their respective positions from combined fan voting on two platforms – online at MLSsoccer.com and via Twitter. The ballot consisted of eight players from each club, as chosen by the media.
Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders) earned his place on the Fan XI through the innovative AT&T/EA SPORTS MLS All-Star ‘More Than a Vote’ Challenge. Fans scored more than one million goals with Martins in FIFA 14, with one goal equaling one vote. Other players who finished in the top five of ‘More Than a Vote’ Challenge were Eddie Johnson (D.C. United), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls) and Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy).
A 3-4-3 formation was selected for this year’s Fan XI:
2014 MLS All-Star Fan XI
Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders FC – AT&T/EA SPORTS “More than a Vote” Challenge winner)
The Fan XI are not necessarily included on the game day roster. MLS All-Star coach Caleb Porter will select the roster based on player availability and tactical considerations, but all Fan XI players are All-Stars.
Two selections by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, and Porter’s complete 20-man game day roster, will be announced on Saturday, July 19 during ESPN2’s broadcast of Sporting Kansas City vs. LA Galaxy.
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.
