Captain Frankie Hejduk and Midfielder Robbie Rogers were named to the MLS First XI today that will take on West Ham United in the annual All-Star game at BMO Field in Toronto on July 24. While the First XI will not necessarily be the starting lineup against West Ham, the honor of being recognized as one of the eleven best of the first half of the season is a worthwhile achievement. Most likely, Robbie Rogers will miss the game due to Olympic duties, but Hejduk most likely will be in the starting lineup for the game. The rest of the First XI are as follows:
Forwards:
Kenny Cooper-FC Dallas
Landon Donovan-Los Angeles Galaxy
Midfielders:
Robbie Rogers-Columbus Crew
David Beckham-LA Galaxy
Sacha Kljestan-Chivas USA
Cuauhtemoc Blanco-Chicago Fire
Shalrie Joseph-New England Revolution
Defenders:
Frankie Hejduk-Columbus Crew
Michael Parkhurst-New England
Jimmy Conrad-Kansas City Wizards
Goalkeeper:
Matt Reis-New England Revolution
I dont have many qualms with these selections, but I would have liked to have seen Chad Marshall make the First XI over Conrad. I think Conrad has lost a step and Chad Marshall has been a rock defensively all season for the Crew. I also could see an argument for Guillermo Barros Schelotto in the First XI, but all of the midfielders on the list have had solid seasons and deserve to be recognized for their play so far. The Bench has not been released yet, but according to Soccer by Ives a bench could look like this.
The Bench
Jon Busch-Chicago Fire-GK
Gonzalo Segares-Chicago Fire-D
Dwayne DeRosario-Houston Dynamo-M
Steve Ralston-New England-M
Luciano Emilio-DC United-F
Commissioners Picks
Guillermo Barros Schelotto-Columbus Crew
Jim Brennan-Toronto FC
Overall, 2 Crew players make the lineup, with the only player getting snubbed being Chad Marshall.New England Revolution and LA Galaxy also have 2 members of the First XI.
In a cruel twist of fate, Toronto FC, the host club, has no picks as of now. I would expect a Commissioners Pick to be a notable TFC player such as Jim Brennan or Maurice Edu.
From this group of players, my lineup would be this:
Cooper----------Donovan
Rogers Blanco Joseph Beckham
Segares Parkhurst Conrad Hejduk
That is a really strong lineup and should be a good match up against West Ham United.
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