The MLS ' All Stars'

[Rosco]

NEW YORK -- The Major League Soccer team that will face Roma in the league's All-Star game will have an international flavor.

Former France striker Thierry Henry of the New York Red Bulls, Irish striker Robbie Keane of the Los Angeles Galaxy and Italian striker Marco Di Vaio of the Montreal Impact were selected Monday for the match against the Italian club in Kansas City, Kansas, on July 31.

Landon Donovan, for the first time in his MLS career, will not be playing in the All-Star game. The Galaxy superstar was not included when the roster for the MLS showpiece fixture was announced, ending his streak of 12 straight All-Star selections.

Also named to the MLS roster were defenders Corey Ashe (Houston), Matt Besler (Kansas City), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Aurelien Collin (Sporting KC), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles), and DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle); midfielders Brad Davis (Houston), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Patrice Bernier (Montreal), Tim Cahill (New York), Brad Davis (Houston), Will Johnson (Portland) and Mike Magee (Chicago); and forwards Camilo Sanvezzo (Vancouver) and Chris Wondolowski (San Jose).

The goalkeepers will be Raul Fernandez (FC Dallas) and Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).



The league clearly has some way to go if a number of past it Europeans are amongst the best out there

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Until the $$$s players can earn match the big leagues, they'll always struggle to get the best athletes sticking with 'soccer' ...

 

[Ryan]

The 'bigger' names are in that squad for TV purposes.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Until the $$$s players can earn match the big leagues, they'll always struggle to get the best athletes sticking with 'soccer' ...

I don't think the travel helps any. Despite knowing full well the logistics of it, when you hear a player explaining about travelling for a full day to get to a match as a matter of course it seems like a helluva lot more hassle compared to a European league.