Goalkeeper Kasey Keller and midfielder Freddy Ljungberg were both named to the MLS All Star First XI Team yesterday.
It was the first time making the squad for both players who are both in their first season of the MLS. Both players played long careers overseas before signing with the Sounders FC for the inaugural season in Seattle.
Voting was done by fans online and by coaches, general managers and the media. The votes were then combined to get the top players for the squad. The coach, Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear, will put together his starting lineup which may or may not include the top vote getters.
Kasey Keller has had five shutouts this year while allowing 13 total goals in 16 games played. This averages out to .085 goals per game, good for third best statistically in the league. Paired with defender Tyronne Marshall, Keller has led one of the better defenses in the MLS.
Freddy Ljungberg has two goals and five assists in 13 games so far this year. His veteran savvy and leadership in the front has solidified the Sounders attacking.
Overall, seven first-time All-Stars are in the 11-player list while seven different nations are represented. The team will face Premier League club Everton on July 29 in Rio Tinto Stadium.
2009 MLS All-Star First XI Team
Goalkeeper: Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC)*
Defenders: Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo)*, Wilman Conde (Chicago Fire)*, Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew)*
Midfielders: Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo)*, Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders FC)*, Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew)
Forwards: Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids)*, Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
* Denotes first selection to the MLS All-Star Team
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