Sporting KC's Dwyer, Zusi named to roster for MLS All-Star Game
Sporting Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer is a second-time MLS All-Star while defender Graham Zusi is a fifth-timer after both were named to the MLS All-Star Game roster on Tuesday.
Dwyer and Zusi are part of a 24-man squad that will play Spanish giant Real Madrid in the 2017 MLS All-Star Game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Aug. 2.
The MLS All-Star roster consists of the All-Star Fan XI, which was announced July 7, as well as two commissioner's picks and 11 additional players selected by All-Star coach Veljko Paunovic of the Chicago Fire. Zusi was one of three defenders voted to the Fan XI, while Dwyer joined FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta as one of MLS Commissioner Don Garber's two selections.
The full roster is a mix of 16 All-Star veterans as well as eight All-Star newcomers, representing 13 MLS clubs and hailing from 13 different countries, the most diverse group in All-Star history. Additionally, 20 of the 24 players named to the roster have represented their countries at the senior national team level.
Dwyer, 26, also was an MLS All-Star in 2014. He has recorded six goals and one assist in all competitions this season for Sporting KC. His 55 regular-season goals over the last four seasons are second-most across the league.
Zusi, 30, was previously an MLS All-Star from 2012-15. He has started 15 of 16 MLS appearances this season for a Sporting KC side that has kept nine clean sheets and boasts a league-low 0.70 goals-against average. Zusi is representing the United States at the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup alongside teammate Matt Besler.
The 2017 MLS All-Star Game roster:
Goalkeepers: Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders FC), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids).
Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo), Greg Garza (Atlanta United FC), Hernán Grana (FC Dallas), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Johan Kappelhof (Chicago Fire), Michael Parkhurst (Atlanta United FC), Jelle Van Damme (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City).
Midfielders: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United FC), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Kaká (Orlando City SC), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire), Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers).
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Dom Dwyer (Sporting Kansas City), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), Nemanja Nikolic (Chicago Fire), David Villa (New York City FC).
