SEATTLE, WASH.
- Major League Soccer (MLS) today announced that Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei has been named to the 24-man roster that is taking on Real Madrid in the 2017 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target. 13 players have been added today to the gameday roster today, with Frei being one of 11 selections by All-Star and Chicago Fire Head Coach Veljko Paunović to go alongside two Commissioner's Picks. The All-Star Fan XI was announced earlier this month.
Frei, 31, earns his first MLS All-Star recognition in his ninth professional season. The University of California, Berkeley product has played every minute so far in 2017, compiling five shutouts with a 1.47 goals against average. After earning 2016 MLS Cup MVP honors in December against Toronto FC - his former club - Frei has further cemented himself in Sounders FC lore by passing Kasey Keller for the franchise's record for shutouts. In total, Frei is now the Sounders FC record-holder in goalkeeper appearances (117), wins (54), saves (352) and shutouts (32).
The full roster is a mix of 16 All-Star veterans as well as eight All-Star newcomers, representing 13 MLS clubs and hailing from 13 different countries, the most diverse group in All-Star history. Additionally, 20 of the 24 players named to the roster have represented their countries at the full national team level.
The 2017 MLS All-Stars are set to face Real Madrid, the reigning La Liga and UEFA Champions League title holders. One of the most successful clubs in the world, Real Madrid has claimed a record 33 La Liga championships and 12 UEFA Champions League titles, as well as 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, 28-year-old star Gareth Bale and four-time La Liga Best Defender Sergio Ramos.
The best way to purchase tickets 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/allstar
for VIP ticket package details. Media interested in covering the 2017 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target can apply for credentials by
CLICKING HERE
and submitting their application by
Friday, July 21
.
2017 MLS ALL-STAR ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS:
Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders FC)
, Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids)
DEFENDERS:
DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo), Greg Garza (Atlanta United), Hernán Grana (FC Dallas), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Johan Kappelhof (Chicago Fire), Michael Parkhurst (Atlanta United), Jelle Van Damme (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS:
Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Kaká (Orlando City SC), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire), Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers)
FORWARDS:
Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), Nemanja Nikolić (Chicago Fire), David Villa (New York City FC)
