Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard named in MLS All-Star squad
Tuesday 14 July 2015 11:41, UK
Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have been picked for the MLS All-Star Game against Tottenham – despite not yet making their league debuts.
Fans took to social media to vote for their XI for the match on July 29 at 9pm local time, before MLS commissioner Don Garber selected the two English midfielders as his additional picks.
Garber opted to include the duo to add their global appeal, quality and Premier League experience to the ranks ahead of the test against Spurs.
Gerrard has made his LA Galaxy debut after playing 45 minutes in the International Champions Cup win over Club America last weekend, but he has yet to feature in an MLS fixture.
Lampard, meanwhile, was ruled out of the 4-4 draw with Toronto due to a calf injury, but does bring All-Star Game experience with him after he played in the match with Chelsea in 2006, before scoring when he featured again in 2012.
Orlando City’s Kaka and David Villa, Lampard’s team-mate at New York City, make the side for the first time after earning spots in the XI, which was revealed on Monday night.
Spurs travel to the US to face the All-Star XI in Commerce City, Colorado, where former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins and USA forward Clint Dempsey will also be in action.
Martins was awarded the final place in the Fan XI after supporters used him to score the most goals in the game FIFA 15 during the voting period.
Five players from the United States’ CONCACAF Gold Cup squad – including Dempsey and captain Michael Bradley – earned their spots in the All-Star Game after receiving the most support through a combined tally of online ballots and Facebook, Instagram and Twitter votes.
Also in the side are goalkeeper Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), defenders Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City) and DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo), and midfielders Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City) and Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City).
Colorado Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni will take charge for the game and is set to announce the starting line-up on Sunday.
MLS All-Star Game Fan XI
Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo)
Midfielders: Kaka (Orlando City SC), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), David Villa (New York City FC), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders FC)
Commissioner’s Picks: Steven Gerrard (LA Galaxy), Frank Lampard (New York City FC)
