KANSAS CITY (Monday, July 15) – Peter Vermes named FC Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez to his 20-man game day roster for the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star game today.
Fernandez earned the fan vote at his position earlier this month, getting his first All-Star nod as part of the Fan XI. The 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game will feature MLS’ best versus AS Roma on Wednesday, July 31 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. The match will be televised live on ESPN2, UniMas and in Canada on TSN and RDS at 8 p.m. CT.
Raul Fernandez FC Dallas player page
The Fan XI received the most votes at their respective positions from combined fan voting on three platforms – online at MLSsoccer.com, via text message, and via Twitter. The ballot consisted of at least six players from each club, as chosen by a panel of media members.
The Fan XI are not necessarily included on the game day roster. MLS All-Star coach Vermes selected the roster based on player availability and tactical considerations, choosing to include all eleven of the original fan-voted All-Stars. Nine roster selections are MLS All-Stars for the first time, with twelve of the 19 MLS teams represented.
WATCH: MLS Insider - Raul Fernandez: From Peru, to FC Dallas...to the World Cup?
The roster is below. Players are listed by the position they are most likely to play in the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, which is not necessarily the position they play for their respective clubs.
2013 MLS All-Star Gameday Roster
Goalkeeper:Raul Fernández (FC Dallas), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders:Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Aurélien Collin (Sporting Kansas City), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)
Midfielders:Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Patrice Bernier (Montreal Impact), Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Will Johnson (Portland Timbers), Mike Magee (Chicago Fire), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards:Marco Di Vaio (Montreal Impact), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Camilo Sanvezzo (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Raul Fernández Goalkeeper FC Dallas Nationality: Peru Born: October 6, 1985
As of July 15, the 27-year-old goalkeeper has 71 saves this season for second in MLS. Fernandez has made 3.94 saves per match through 18 games. Signed by FC Dallas on January 10, 2013, Fernández’s quick transition to MLS has him in the running for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award. He is just two clean sheets shy of the league lead in shutouts with a 1.44 goals against average. A native of Lima, Peru, Fernández has earned 23 Caps since March 26, 2008. This is Fernandez’s first MLS All-Star team selection.
