Nicol Finalizes MLS All-Star Roster, Commissioner Picks Unveiled

Steve Nicol added five more players to the MLS All-Star roster, while MLS Commissioner Don Garber named two of his own to complete the side that will face West Ham United on July 24 in Toronto.

U.S. National Team veteran Pablo Mastroeni headlines a list of five players added to the MLS All-Star Team by Steve Nicol on Tuesday. He’ll join New York’s Juan Pablo Ángel, Toronto FC’s Jim Brennan, Colorado’s Christian Gomez and Houston’s Pat Onstad for the 2008 MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and West Ham United on July 24, 2008 at BMO Field in Toronto.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber added his two “Commissioner Picks” as well, opting for L.A. Galaxy’s high-scoring striker Edson Buddle (forward, Los Angeles Galaxy) and Houston playmaker Dwayne De Rosario, who is playing in his third straight All-Star Game.

With an Olympic roster that could potentially include Sacha Kljestan, Robbie Rogers and Michael Parkhurst, alternates are expected to be named by Nicol later this week.

Those left off the MLS roster include D.C. United’s Luciano Emilio (10 goals), Columbus’ Guillermo Barros Schelotto (MLS leader with 8 assists), FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper (8 goals, 4^th in MLS), Real Salt Lake’s Javier Morales (second in MLS in assists with 7) and Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch (MLS-leading 0.93 goals-against-average).

MLS All-Star Roster:

Goalkeeper: Pat Onstad (Houston Dynamo), Matt Reis (New England Revolution)

Defenders: Jim Brennan (Toronto FC), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution)

Midfielders: David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Dwayne De Rosario (Houston Dynamo), Christian Gomez (Colorado Rapids), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

Forwards: Juan Pablo Angel (forward, New York Red Bulls), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)