If there’s one thing MLS is lacking, it’s certainly not big-name star power to populate the league’s 2016 All-Star squad, announced on Saturday, to face Arsenal at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on July 28.
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Many of the usual suspects — Sebastian Giovinco, David Villa and Didier Drogba, to name a few — are present, while voting fans came together to nominate the usual few “whoa, really?” selections — Keegan Rosenberry or Matt Besler, anyone? (Rosenberry is having a fantastic rookie season and is undoubtedly worthy of consideration. The fact that fans actually voted him is the astonishing part.)
Notably absent: surefire MLS MVP candidate Ignacio Piatti of the Montreal Impact. In short, a criminal oversight by the fans.
Dominic Kinnear’s final All-Star roster will be announced next Sunday, July 17.
FULL 2016 MLS ALL-STAR FAN XI
Goalkeeper: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)
Defenders: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Laurent Ciman (Montreal Impact), Keegan Rosenberry (Philadelphia Union)
Midfielders: Kaka (Orlando City SC), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy)
Forwards: Didier Drogba (Montreal Impact), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), David Villa (New York City FC)
