SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski was among the 10 names announced by Major League Soccer for the 2013 MLS All-Star Game’s Fan XI on Sunday. The selection is Wondolowski’s third in as many years and the third of his career.
Wondolowski, 30, leads the Earthquakes with five goals and is second on the club with three assists. Three of his goals were game winners. He is currently in camp with the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The AT&T MLS All-Star Game is slated for Wednesday, July 31 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas. The MLS All-Stars wlll face Italian giants AS Roma at 6 p.m. PT on ESPN2 and UniMas.
The Fan 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 at least six players from each club, as chosen by a panel of media members. The 11th player – a forward – on the Fan XI will be decided July 11, as part of the AT&T MLS All-Star ‘In the Game’ Challenge. Among the remaining forwards on the ballot, the player with whom fans score the most goals in FIFA Soccer 13, with one goal equaling one vote, from July 3-July 10 will be named to the Fan XI. A 3-4-3 formation was selected for this year’s Fan XI.
Players who were close to the leading vote-getters at their positions, but finished outside the Fan XI included, in alphabetical order by last name: Victor Bernardez (SJ), Tim Cahill (NY), Sam Cronin (SJ), Matteo Ferrari (MTL), Jimmy Nielsen (KC) and Luis Robles (NY).
The Fan XI are not necessarily included on the game day roster. MLS All-Star coach Peter Vermes 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 Vermes’ complete 18-man game day roster, will be announced on Monday, 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 31.
2013 MLS All-Star Fan XI
Goalkeeper: Raul Fernández (FC Dallas)
Defenders: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Aurelien Collin (Sporting Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)
Midfielders: Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Will Johnson (Portland Timbers), Mike Magee (Chicago Fire), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), AT&T ‘In the Game’ forward (TBA – July 11)
