NEW YORK, N.Y., August 4, 2021 – New York City FC today announced that defender James Sands was selected to the 2021 MLS All-Star team as one of Bob Bradley’s selections.
The Rye, NY native becomes the first NYCFC Homegrown player to be named to the MLS All-Star team. This is the 21-year-old's second inclusion in the league’s All-Star festivities as he played in the 2018 MLS Homegrown Game
Sands’ inclusion in the 2021 summer showcase makes it the sixth consecutive year a NYCFC player was selected (the 2020 All-Star Game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
The defender started the Club’s opening 10 matches in 2021 before being called into this summer’s Gold Cup squad where Sands made his U.S. Men’s National Team debut in the group stages against Haiti. He started the remaining five matches in defense as the USMNT won the tournament without conceding a goal from open play.
The 2021 MLS All-Star Game will be played in Los Angeles, CA on August 25th at 9:00 p.m. ET against the Liga MX All-Stars. The match will be broadcast live in English on FS1 and in Spanish on Univision.
The full 28-man MLS All-Star team is listed below:
Goalkeepers (2): Pedro Gallese (Orlando City SC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
Defenders (9): Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy), Jesus Murillo (Los Angeles FC), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders FC), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Alex Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC), James Sands (New York City FC), Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union), Yeimar Gomez Andrade (Seattle Sounders FC), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielders (7): Eduard Atuesta (Los Angeles FC), , Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Damir Kreilach (Real Salt Lake), Joao Paulo (Seattle Sounders FC), Emanuel Reynoso (Minnesota United FC), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC), Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew)
Forwards/Wingers (10): Gustavo Bou (New England Revolution), Tajon Buchanan (New England Revolution), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes), Javier Hernandez (LA Galaxy), Nani (Orlando City SC), Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas), Diego Rossi (Los Angeles FC), Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders FC), Daniel Salloi (Sporting Kansas City), Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC)
