First XI Revealed for 2012 All-Star Game: A Fan’s Reaction

On Monday, July 9, 2012, MLS revealed the results of the fan votes for the First XI. These 11 players will be participating in the All-Star game. Though six players from each team appeared on the ballot, only 11 total would be selected by fans. Unfortunately for Philadelphia Union fans, none of the six Union players were selected. Sporting Kansas City will be represented by three players. The New York Red Bulls, San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy will each be represented by two players. The Vancouver Whitecaps and D.C. United will each be represented by one player. LA Galaxy player Landon Donovan will be participating in his 12th All-Star game.

The MLS All-Star game will take place on Wednesday, July 25, 2012. This game will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at PPL Park Stadium, home of the Philadelphia Union. Although originally Peter Nowak was to serve as the coach for the game, he was fired from the Union and now Ben Olsen will serve as the coach. Olsen is the manager for the D.C. United. The interim manager for the Union, John Hackworth, will also be involved with team, though he was not chosen to be the coach for the match. Hackworth took over after Nowak was fired and has been working hard to help the team turn the season around. So far, he has been doing pretty well.

While I am disappointed to see that the Philadelphia Union is not represented, I cannot say that I am surprised. No Union players were voted into the game in 2011 either. The voting certainly favors those teams that are doing the best and that have the most active fans. Although the Union have a lot of fans, they probably can't compare to an established team like the LA Galaxy or the New York Red Bulls. Also, the team has fallen on hard times recently and is just beginning to get back in the swing of things. Hopefully at least a couple of members of the team will be chosen to play in the match. It would be very disappointing to tune in for the All-Star game at PPL Park Stadium and not see the Union represented.

Kristin Watt lives in central Pennsylvania and has no local major league sporting teams in the area. She has chosen to adopt Philadelphia's teams, including the Philadelphia Union, as her own home teams. Philadelphia is close enough to make a daytrip out of a game and still not have to get a hotel room.