MLS Tickets - First IX Picked by Brent Warnken
Before the entire All-Star team is picked, the MLS announced their list of the first 11 players. Those players are called the MLS All-Star First XI and this year's team held more than a few surprises. One of the biggest surprises was that seven of the 11 players selected were newcomers to the All-Star team. The 11 are the first players announced for the All-Star team that will take on English Premier League's Everton FC on July 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Each player of the First XI is profiled below alphabetically, and fans can see these players live with MLS tickets online.
Geoff Cameron, Defender, Houston Dynamo: Cameron was nearly named rookie of the year last year. As a third-round draft pick, Cameron wasn't supposed to be a top contributor, but he has exceeded all expectations in his short career.
Conor Casey, Forward, Colorado Rapids: Conor Casey's first All-Star selection is surely even sweeter considering that he fought back from a rough ACL surgery during the 2007 season. He has also been a top contributor for the U.S. Men's National Team.
Wilman Conde, Defender, Chicago Fire: Before he came to the MLS, Conde made waves in his native Columbia. He has been a key player in all of the Fire's shutouts both this season and last season.
Dwayne De Rosario, Midfielder , Toronto FC: This year marks De Rosario's first with Toronto FC, and he is one of the scoring leaders on his team with give goals as well as three assists. He has been an MLS Cup MVP twice and this is his fourth time being part of the First XI.
Landon Donovan, Forward, Los Angeles Galaxy: Donovan is one of the most well-known names in the league, especially because of his work with David Beckham. He was second in overall voting for the First XI with six goals and four assists in 12 games. Donovan is no stranger to the All-Star team as this marks his ninth selection.
Stuart Holden, Midfielder, Houston Dynamo: Holden has been with the Dynamo for four seasons, and it doesn't look like they are going to want to get rid of him anytime soon. He impresses everyone with his aggressive style of play and is also making waves for the U.S. Men's National Team.
Shalrie Joseph, Midfielder, New England Revolution: Joseph is also no stranger to the All-star team, as he has been selected to six consecutive different All-Star teams. He hails from Grenada, where he was named the team's Footballer of the Year in 2003.
Kasey Keller, Goalkeeper, Seattle Sounders FC: Keller has had quite the professional career even before coming to the MLS, appearing on teams in England, Germany and Spain. Even with his stellar record, this is his first All-Star selection as he has only been in the league since 2009.
Freddie Ljungberg, Midfielder, Seattle Sounders FC: Ljungberg hails from Sweden, where he has been a star on their national team. He has also played professionally in England and Sweden.
Chad Marshall, Defender, Columbus Crew: From the beginning of his career, big things were expected from Chad Mashall, as he was the second overall pick in 2004. He hasn't disappointed and was even last year's MLS Defender of the year.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Midfielder, Columbus Crew: Schelotto was named the Volkswagen Most Valuable Player as this season's leading scorer and was the top vote-getter for the First XI. He hails from Argentina and is in his third season in the MLS.
This article was sponsored by StubHub.com. StubHub sells tickets to sporting events, concerts and theater productions. Go to StubHub.com for MLS tickets.
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