Colorado Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni today was named to the 18-man Major League Soccer All-Star team, which will play Celtic F.C. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July 19. Mastroeni, an All Star for the sixth consecutive year, was named to the squad by All-Star team coach Steve Nicol, who coaches the New England Revolution.
A midfielder and defender, Mastroeni has been a mainstay of the U.S. national team and played in the past two World Cups. He missed the Rapids past two games with a groin injury but may be healed sufficiently by next week to make a cameo appearance in the All-Star Game.
The first 11 players on the roster were chosen in voting involving fans, players and coaches. In addition to Mastroeni, Nicol today added Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, Toronto midfielder Ronnie O’Brien, Los Angeles forward Landon Donovan and Houston forward Brian Ching. Commissioner Don Garber exercised his discretionary picks by adding Los Angeles midfielder Cobi Jones and Real Salt Lake defender Eddie Pope, both of whom are retiring at the end of this season.
