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De Rosario, DeMerit highlight MLS First XI

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Jay DeMerit

Jay DeMeritThis season’s MLS All-Star Game may hold more interest for Canadian soccer fans than any of these summer exhibtions have since the 2008 edition was played at BMO Field. The league named its First XI Sunday, and there are two selections of note: Reigning MVP and Canadian national-teamer Dwayne De Rosario was named to the squad. And Vancouver Whitecaps’ central defender Jay DeMerit, who is enjoying an outstanding season after an injury-riddled 2011 campaign, is also in the First XI. Being selected to the First XI is an honour, but it is not a guarantee that the players selected will make the starting lineup. Coach Ben Olsen has the power to start the lineup he thinks will be the most effective when the All-Stars face European champs,Chelsea, July 25 in Philadelphia. Selected media nominees made a shortlist of six candidates each per team, and fans selected the First XI from those players. The last several All-Star Games had been held in direct competition with the preliminary round of the CONCACAF Champions League, which meant a Canadian club was in action, as well as two other MLS teams. That meant fan loyalties were split between the All-Star Game and matches that actually mattered — and many of the top players in the league weren’t available for the ASG because of their CCL commitments. Now that the CCL has abolished the qualifying round, the ASG is free of those conflicts. Goalkeeper: Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting Kansas City) Defenders: Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Aurelien Collin (Sporting Kansas City), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Heath Pearce (New York Red Bulls) Midfielders: David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City) Forwards: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

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