Blake, Rosenberry Named to MLS All-Star XI

Report From Philadelphia Union

CHESTER, Pa. – Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake and defender Keegan Rosenberry were voted to the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Fan XI, the league announced Saturday. The MLS All-Star Team will take on English Premier League club Arsenal FC at Avaya Stadium, on Thursday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET, live on ESPN, UniMás, UDN, TSN, and RDS.

Blake has been sensational for the Union in the 2016 campaign. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft has posted a 5-1-2 record with three shutouts and 1.25 goals-against average at Talen Energy Stadium this season. This is Blake’s first all-star selection.

This season Blake has turned heads with his human highlight reel saves, being nominated for MLS Save of the Week eight times in his 2016 campaign. Blake missed time with his MLS club during the Copa America Centenario as he served as the starting goalkeeper for Jamaica.

Rosenberry has been a cornerstone for the Union in 2016. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft has played every minute for Philadelphia this season. Not only is he the only Union player to accomplish that feat, but he’s also the only rookie in MLS to do so as well.

Rosenberry becomes the first rookie to be named an MLS All-Star since 2013 and only the second since 2005. The Georgetown product recorded his first MLS goal in dramatic fashion against the LA Galaxy. Rosenberry found the back of the net to give the Union a 2-2 draw.

This will be just the second time the Union have had two representatives at the MLS All-Star Game. In 2012, Carlos Valdes and Michael Farfan represented the Union during a 3-2 win at Talen Energy Stadium. Other Union players in appear in the MLS All-Star Game are Sebastien Le Toux (2010), Faryd Mondragon (2011), Jack McInerney (2013) and Maurice Edu (2014).

The 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star game-day roster will be announced on Sunday, July 17, and include the two Commissioner’s Picks, as well as 20 players selected by All-Star team head coach Dominic Kinnear.

The Union return to MLS action on Sunday, July 17, against New York Red Bulls with the match to be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 1. Single game and group tickets are still available by visiting PhiladelphiaUnion.com/tickets or by calling 1-877-21-UNION.

2016 MLS All-Star Fan XI

Goalkeeper: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)

Defenders: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Laurent Ciman (Montreal Impact), Keegan Rosenberry (Philadelphia Union)

Midfielders: Kaká (Orlando City SC), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy)

Forwards: Didier Drogba (Montreal Impact), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), David Villa (New York City FC – AT&T/EA SPORTS™ “More Than a Vote” Challenge)