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The MLS All-Star Fan XI has been released, and none of the eleven players that received the most fan votes (or goals on FIFA17 for one of the spots) is a Loon.
Rich Campbell from the Chicago Tribune reported the Fan XI players:
Nemanja Nikolic - F - Chicago Fire
David Villa - F - New York City FC
Sebastian Giovinco* - F - Toronto FC
Bastian Schweinsteiger - M - Chicago Fire
Michael Bradley - M - Toronto FC
Kaká - M - Orlando City
Miguel Almiron - M - Atlanta United
DaMarcus Beasley - D - Houston Dynamo
Greg Garza - D - Atlanta United
Graham Zusi - D - Sporting Kansas City
Tim Howard - GK - Colorado Rapids
*Giovinco was named to the MLS All-Star Fan XI after fans scored the most goals with him on FIFA17 during the voting period. (MNUFC is still not playable in FIFA17 so they never really stood a chance in this one)
Not a single Minnesota United player received enough fan votes to land in the top ten, and for that we here at E Pluribus Loonum feel partially responsible, but that does not mean that there will not be any Loons in Chicago to take on Real Madrid on August 2nd at Soldier Field. Chicago Fire coach Veljko Paunovic will name 11 additional players later this month to play for the MLS side. Two additional players will be named to the squad by league commissioner Don Garber.
It is hard to imagine (though possible) there will not be a single Loon on the roster, and our money is on Christian Ramirez to be named as a forward. With 10 goals, he currently sits tied for fifth in the Golden Boot race. A productive Gold Cup campaign for defender Francisco Calvo with Costa Rica could launch him into the public eye and could help him make his case for a spot (especially after notching his first goal for the club against Vancouver Whitecaps a few weeks ago). Bobby Shuttleworth could also be a long shot for a spot, having helped turn around United’s dismal start of the season and he currently sits 4th in MLS in saves with 62.
We will have to wait to see if any Loons will line up against the Champions League champs, Real Madrid in Chicago come August 2.
Which Loon do you think deserves a spot in the All Star Game? Let us know below!