Sporting KC defender Matt Besler voted to MLS All-Star Fan XI
It’s been quite a week for Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler.
Six days after scoring his first goal since 2011, Besler was named part of the MLS All-Star Fan XI, the fifth selection in his career, which is the third most in Sporting KC history. Preki was selected seven times.
The fan vote, revealed Saturday, does not technically guarantee Besler a spot on the roster for the midseason game on July 28, when the MLS All-Stars face English Premier League club Arsenal FC in San Jose, Calif. But the players voted by the fans are typically included on the game-day roster, which will be announced July 17.
Besler, 29, has played 11 MLS matches this season on Sporting Kansas City’s back line. He mixed in a five-week stint with the United States men’s national team. Sporting KC has allowed a league-low 9.5 shot attempts per game this season.
On Sunday, Besler scored his first goal in five seasons, a stoppage-time header that lifted Sporting KC to a dramatic 3-2 victory against visiting Columbus Crew.
Sam McDowell: 816-234-4869, @SamMcDowell11
The MLS All-Star Fan XI:
Goalkeeper: Andre Blake (Philadelphia)
Defenders: Matt Besler (Sporting KC), Laurent Ciman (Montreal), Kegan Rosenberry (Philadelphia)
Midfielders: Kaka (Orlando City), Darlington Nagbe (Portland), Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy)
Forwards: Didier Drogba (Montreal), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto), David Villa (New York City FC)
This story was originally published July 9, 2016 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Sporting KC defender Matt Besler voted to MLS All-Star Fan XI."