David Villa Named to MLS All-Star Fan XI
David Villa has been named to the 2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI as the New York City FC forward takes on Real Madrid in the MLS All-Star Game. Reigning MLS MVP David Villa is shining for NYCFC once again this season. With 12 goals in 18 games, El Guaje is on pace for more than 20 goals for the second season in a row, and is in second place in the 2017 MLS Golden Boot race.
MLS Soccer News: New York City FC’s David Villa joins a trio of FIFA World Cup winners featured in the impressive 2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI.
The MLS All-Star Team will take on Spanish giants and reigning UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid in the 2017 MLS All-Star Game in Chicago on Wednesday, August 2, at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Alongside David Villa in the Fan XI will be fellow FIFA World Cup Champions Kaká (Orlando City SC) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire). Along with Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco, the EA SPORTS™ “More Than a Vote” Challenge winner, these international stars account for an impressive three FIFA World Cup titles, three UEFA Champions League titles, three Club World Cup titles, two Confederations Cup titles, one UEFA Euro title, 15 European league titles (Bundesliga, 8; LaLiga, 4; Serie A, 3), and two MLS MVP awards.
While 10 of the 11 players on the Fan XI are determined by fan voting online at MLS’ website, the 11th player is determined through the EA SPORTS™ “More Than a Vote” Challenge. Giovinco, the 2015 Landon Donovan MLS MVP, took the top prize as fans scored more than 1.1 million goals for the Toronto FC star in EA SPORTS FIFA 17. Giovinco narrowly edged out Villa who finished in the top five along with Toronto FC’s Jozy Altidore, LA Galaxy’s Gio dos Santos and Chicago’s Nemanja Nikolic.
The full 2017 MLS All-Star game day roster, featuring 24 players, will be announced in mid-July and will include the 2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI, two Commissioner’s Picks, and 11 players selected by All-Star head coach Veljko Paunović, whose Chicago Fire are leading the Eastern Conference, sitting five points above NYCFC.
The 2017 MLS All-Stars will take on Real Madrid, the reigning LaLiga and UEFA Champions League title holders. Under the guidance of the legendary Zinedine Zidane, the club is home to international superstars such as four-time Ballon d’Or recipient Cristiano Ronaldo, 27-year-old star Gareth Bale, and four-time La Liga Best Defender Sergio Ramos.
2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI presented by Target
Goalkeeper: Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids).
Defenders: Greg Garza (Atlanta United), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City), DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo).
Midfielders: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire), Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United), Kaká (Orlando City SC), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC).
Forwards: David Villa (New York City FC), Nemanja Nikolić (Chicago Fire), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC – EA SPORTS™ “More Than a Vote” Challenge).