Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni today was named to the 18-man Major League Soccer all-star team, which will play Celtic FC 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.
MLS roster for All-Star Game
Goalkeepers
Matt Reis (New England), Kevin Hartman (Kansas City)
Defenders
Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City), Michael Parkhurst (New England), Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake)
Midfielders
Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado), Ricardo Clark (Houston), Dwayne De Rosario (Houston), Christian Gomez (D.C. United), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles), Shalrie Joseph (New Eng.), Ronnie O’Brien (Toronto FC), Juan Toja (FC Dallas)
Forwards
Juan Pablo Angel (New York), Brian Ching (Houston), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City)
