All Star Snubs

All Star selections are fun to debate in any sport. But the unique format and the status of the sport in the country make MLS All Star selections particularly difficult. Is the game a reward for the individuals putting together the best season? Or is it a chance to showcase the big names and the progress of the league to world?

The thing about the 23 man All Star squad this year, is that they all probably deserve it. I enjoy the format of putting our best squad against a world powerhouse, but I do wonder how long it will take before there are too many big names and top quality players in the league to stick with it.

Again… it probably comes down to how you view the game, but here are a few guys who have put together a great season and deserve to be rewarded:

Benny Feilhaber
The question with Benny before he got here, and even just last year in the playoffs, has always been can he be consistent. This year, he has looked like the best player on the field most of the time! He has been phenomenal all season and he was doing it without much help.  We all know the lineup woes SKC had, Benny was the rock the team needed. Fantastic work rate and incredible passing aside; the guy deserves it solely for The Benny Feilhaber Show.

Lee Nguyen
While he is only 27 and been in the league since 2012, Nguyen brings a veteran presence on a young Revolution side. He is smart on the ball and very creative. His style of play is very fun to watch and I think if the young talent on the team improves around him, Nguyen will really shine. He is dangerous on set pieces and has 8 goals this year. Moreover, he can take a football hit without pads:

Pedro Morales
His 7 goals and 8 assists are better than some of the midfielders who are on the squad, but Morales has (much like Nguyen) has put up these numbers with a very young squad. It is a shame that he won’t be playing because he is a guy that deserves it as a reward, and he also plays with a flare that draws oohs and ahhs:

Dom Dwyer
Yes I know he is replacing the injured Jermaine Defoe now. But the guy was still snubbed, and I still don’t get it. Dom deserved to be selected to the squad no matter how you view the game. He has become a big name and put the league in headlines all over the world with his big personality. When the roster came out, he had more goals than everyone in MLS except Bradley Wright-Phillips. But I digress, all is well now. I hope he is hungry and comes off the bench to put one in.

Is there anyone that doesn’t deserve to be playing? Anyone else you think was snubbed? Let us know.