The premise of an All-Star game has traditionally been rebuffed by the European game. From a competitive standpoint it’s difficult to argue its worth. Gathering a group of players who have never trained together in the middle of the regular season for a friendly match against an illustrious European opponent appears an exercise in marketing, more than anything else.
However, for the sake of debate it does provide a compelling benchmark, the fundamental question being: is the MLS All-Star team, voted for by supporters, that will take on Roma at Sporting Park on July 31 indeed the best line-up the league can offer?
DEFENCE
Given their partnership at club level (NBC even produced a documentary about it) it’s unsurprising to see both Matt Besler and Aurelien Collin of Sporting Kansas City in the squad.
If average tackles per game is to be taken as a gauge of performance Gonzalo Segares is the best to be left out of the All-Star roster, making a league-high average 4.1 tackles per game.
Of course this doesn’t always indicate the best defenders, as the best defenders tend to play for the best teams that may not face as many defensive situations as lesser teams.
But perhaps the most notable omission from the squad is New York Red Bulls centre back Jamison Olave, who according to the WhoScored seasonal team of the season so far would make the line-up thanks to an average match rating of 7.4.
Considering the New England Revolution’s impressive defensive record (Jay Heaps’ side have conceded just 18 goals, the lowest in MLS) this season the neglect of Jose Goncalves, Stephen McCarthy and Andrew Farrell (a contender for Rookie of the Season) is somewhat surprising.
MIDFIELD
By selecting Kyle Beckerman, Patrice Bernier and Will Johnson the All-Star roster includes three of MLS’ finest central midfielders, giving coach Peter Vermes a natural mix of ‘regista,’ midfield anchor and box-to-box midfielder.
Midfield is where the biggest name has been omitted, with Landon Donovan’s 12-year All-Star streak coming to an end.
Besides Donovan, Vermes might rue the absence of Javier Morales, Real Salt Lake’s accomplished and classy midfield playmaker who has been so integral for MLS’ second placed team.
Indeed Morales is a high-flyer in most statistics columns, averaging 64.8 passes per game this season – only Beckerman (69.1) has played more in MLS this season. And if passes are measured by their effectiveness Morales comes out shining too, making an average of 3.8 per game, trailing only Federico Higuain (4.3).
There appears to be a lack of midfield creativity in Vermes’ squad, with Sebastien Le Toux also overlooked despite making seven assists for the Union this season, sustaining an average of 2.4 key passes per game.
FC Dallas’ Jackson and David Ferreira have also been overlooked, despite both players displaying the sort of creativity Vermes might struggle without against Roma. The dribbling ability of Jackson, who completes a league-high average of 2.5 dribbles per game, in particular could be of worth to the All-Stars.
While Bernier is extremely accomplished at recycling possession in the centre of midfield the defensive capacity of LA Galaxy anchor Marcelo Sarvas could have been of some use to Vermes, making an average of 3.8 tackles per game. It could be said the All-Stars are without a true defensive midfielder, something that could prove a problem as they face up to Roma’s high attacking line.
ATTACK
Jack McInerney has carried the Philadelphia Union for much of the season, netting 10 goals in the process to make him the league’s third top scorer, but finds himself omitted from Vermes’ roster. While his performances so far this season were enough to earn him a place in Jurgen Klinsmann’s USA squad for the Gold Cup, it wasn’t enough to warrant a place in the MLS All-Star team.
In his place Robbie Keane, Thierry Henry, Mike Magee and Chris Wondolowski were selected instead, yet neither have scored as many as McInerney. In fact Wondolowski has found the net just five times in 17 appearances.
So why have these players been voted into the roster ahead of McInerney?
Where Keane excels is in the assists column - no player has accumulated more than Keane (7) this season - his contribution this season is unquestionable and in fact many believe the Republic of Ireland to be the MLS MVP-elect.
In Magee’s case, his seasonal statistics have suffered from a staggered start, sparking into life since his switch from the LA Galaxy to hometown team the Chicago Fire where he has scored five goals in seven outings.
Since making the move to the Fire, Magee’s key pass rate has increased from 0.7 with the LA Galaxy to 2.6 per game, demonstrating how the 28 year old’s all-round game has improved as well.
Perhaps if McInerney had wanted a place in the All-Star team he should’ve shot at goal more often, with five of Vermes’ attackers occupying the top six spots in the average shots per game column (Camilo leads the league with 3.8 shots on goal per game).
