NYCFC’s David Villa headlines a trio of FIFA World Cup winners featured in the impressive 2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI presented by Target.
The MLS All-Star Team will take on Spanish giants and reigning UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid in the 2017 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target in Chicago on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET, live on FS1, UniMás, TSN, and TVA Sports.
Alongside David Villa in the Fan XI will be fellow FIFA World Cup Champions Kaká (Orlando City SC) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire). Along with Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco, the EA SPORTS™ “More Than a Vote” Challenge winner, these international players account for an impressive three FIFA World Cup titles, three UEFA Champions League titles, three Club World Cup titles, two Confederations Cup titles, one UEFA Euro title, 15 European league titles (Bundesliga, 8; La Liga, 4; Serie A, 3), and two MLS MVP awards.
Reigning MLS MVP David Villa is shining for NYCFC once again this season. With 12 goals in 18 games, El Guaje is on pace for more than 20 goals for the second season in a row, and is in second place in the 2017 MLS Golden Boot race.
While 10 of the 11 players on the Fan XI are determined by fan voting online at MLSsoccer.com, the 11th player is determined through the EA SPORTS™ “More Than a Vote” Challenge. In a closely contested tournament, Giovinco, the 2015 Landon Donovan MLS MVP, took the top prize as fans scored more than 1.1 million goals for the Toronto FC star in EA SPORTS FIFA 17. Giovinco narrowly edged out Villa, who finished in the top five along with Toronto FC’s Jozy Altidore, LA Galaxy’s Gio dos Santos, and Chicago’s Nemanja Nikolic.
The full 2017 MLS All-Star gameday roster, consisting of 24 players, will be announced in mid-July and will include the 2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI presented by Target, two Commissioner’s Picks, and 11 players selected by All-Star Head Coach Veljko Paunović, whose Chicago Fire are leading the Eastern Conference, sitting five points above NYCFC.
The 2017 MLS All-Stars will face off against Real Madrid, the reigning La Liga and UEFA Champions League title holders. One of the most successful clubs in the world, Real Madrid have claimed a record 33 La Liga championships and 12 UEFA Champions League titles, as well as capturing the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup on multiple occasions. Under the direction of the legendary Zinedine Zidane, the club is home to international superstars such as four-time Ballon d’Or recipient Cristiano Ronaldo, 27-year-old star Gareth Bale, and four-time La Liga Best Defender Sergio Ramos.
The best way to guarantee your ticket to the 2017 MLS All-Star Game against Real Madrid is to contact the Chicago Fire at 888-MLS-Fire or tickets@chicago-fire.com. For the ultimate fan experience visit MLSsoccer.com/allstarfor VIP ticket package details.
2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI presented by Target
Goalkeeper:Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids)
Defenders:Greg Garza (Atlanta United), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City),DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo)
Midfielders:Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire), Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United), Kaká (Orlando City SC), Michael Bradley(Toronto FC)
Forwards: David Villa (New York City FC), Nemanja Nikolić (Chicago Fire), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC – EA SPORTS™ “More Than a Vote” Challenge)
