SANDY, Utah / NEW YORK – Major League Soccer has announced that Captain Kyle Beckerman and GK Nick Rimando have been named to the MLS Fan XI for the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game. The AT&T MLS All-Stars will face the 2014 Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday, August 6 at 7:30 p.m.. MT. The summer showcase will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and UniMas.
This is the eighth consecutive season that Beckerman has received MLS All-Star recognition in his 15-year career in the league. The RSL Captain has had a fantastic year for the Claret-and-Cobalt and the United States Men’s National Team. After being named to the U.S.’s final World Cup roster, Beckerman made his World Cup debut in Brazil, starting all three group stage games for the U.S. and helping the team advance to the Round of 16. The Claret-and-Cobalt veteran has two goals and two assists in 12 MLS appearances this year.
Real Salt Lake’s longest-tenured player, Rimando has also had a momentous year as he was named to the U.S.’s World Cup roster along with Beckerman; the 35-year-old goalkeeper did not feature in any World Cup matches in Brazil. Rimando has been steady as ever between the posts for the Claret-and-Cobalt this year and is now one shutout shy of tying the all-time MLS shutout record at 112 clean sheets. This is the fourth time that Rimando had received All-Star recognition.
Media members nominated a total of 152 players to the fan ballot. Fans could vote for 11 players via an online ballot and Twitter. The 10 players with the highest combined votes from these two methods will be named to the All-Star Fan XI.
The 11th player – a forward – on the Fan XI was chosen by the fans via the AT&T MLS All-Star ‘More Than a Vote’ Challenge. The forward with whom fans score the most goals in FIFA 14, with one goal equaling one vote, will be named to the Fan XI. The game day roster – as chosen by All-Star Head Coach Caleb Porter of Portland Timbers – and the Commissioner’s two picks will be revealed on Saturday, July 19 during halftime of the Sporting Kansas City-LA Galaxy game on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
Real Salt Lake returns to action this Saturday when it hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 8:00 p.m. MT at Rio Tinto Stadium. Tickets to Saturday’s expected sell-out can be purchased at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office, online at www.RealSaltLake.com/Tickets or over the phone at 801-727-2700.
