SANDY, Utah/NEW YORK (Wednesday, July 25, 2012) – Real Salt Lake had three players named to the MLS All-Star Inactive Roster on Wednesday, with GK Nick Rimando, DF Jámison Olave and FW Fábian Espíndola joining MF Kyle Beckerman – who, unlike his three teammates, will be on the gameday roster for Wednesday’s AT&T All-Star game against Chelsea FC – as RSL’s All-Star honorees.
The Inactive Roster was chosen by a league-wide player vote.
Rimando, 33, is having another stellar year between the posts, allowing just 24 goals in 20 games, notching eight shutouts and recently moving into second-place on the all-time MLS career wins list. This is the third time Rimando has been named an All-Star and the first time he’s been on the Inactive Roster. The UCLA product was also on the All-Star squad in 2001 and 2010.
One of the most physically gifted players in all of MLS, Olave has performed very well in 2012. The Colombian center back has started 18 games and is just one of two players – along with DF Tony Beltran –to feature in all 13 of RSL’s wins this year. This is Olave’s third-consecutive All-Star appearance and his first time on the Inactive Roster.
Now in his sixth-year with the team, Espíndola is enjoying his finest season with RSL. He has shined alongside strike partner Álvaro Saborío, placing second on the team with six goals and tying for the team lead with four assists in 19 games. This is his first All-Star nod of any kind.
RSL’s four total All-Stars is the third-most amongst all MLS teams. Only league-leading San Jose (six) and Sporting Kansas City (five) have more All-Stars than the Claret-and-Cobalt.
Beckerman and the other MLS All-Stars on the gameday roster will take on reigning UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea FC on Wednesday night at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and TeleFutura starting at 6:30 p.m. MT.
The entire MLS All-Star roster is listed below:
2012 MLS All-Star Gameday Roster
Goalkeeper: Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA), Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting Kansas City)
Defenders: Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Aurélien Collin (Sporting Kansas City), Ramiro Corrales (San Jose Earthquakes), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Heath Pearce - Injured (New York Red Bulls), Carlos Valdes (Philadelphia Union), Justin Morrow (San Jose Earthquakes)
Midfielders: Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders FC), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
2012 MLS All-Star Inactive Roster
Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Jon Busch (San Jose Earthquakes)
Defenders: Jámison Olave (Real Salt Lake), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo)
Midfielders: Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Marco Pappa (Chicago Fire), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Roger Espinoza (Sporting Kansas City), Marvin Chavéz (San Jose Earthquakes)
Forwards: Fabián Espíndola (Real Salt Lake), Kenny Cooper (New York Red Bulls), Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders FC), Kei Kamara (Sporting Kansas City)
