June 11, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Former University of Notre Dame men’s soccer standouts Matt Besler (’09), Justin Morrow (’10) and Dillon Powers (’13) appear on the 2013 AT&T Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game online voting ballot.
The All-Star Fan XI will be revealed July 7 during the ESPN broadcast of Chicago Fire vs. Sporting Kansas City. The gameday roster, chosen by All-Star head coach Peter Vermes, will be announced July 15. Fans can also vote via SMS by texting the player’s last name to 22442.
The 2013 MLS All-Stars will face Italian giants AS Roma July 31 in the AT&T MLS All-Star Game in Kansas City. The match is scheduled for 9 p.m. (ET) and can be seen live on ESPN2.
Besler, a Sporting Kansas City defender, became Notre Dame’s first-ever MLS All-Star when he won the AT&T fan voting for the 2011 contest. Besler and the MLS All-Stars dropped a 4-0 decision to Manchester United from the English Premier League (EPL). Besler, who is in his fifth MLS season, has emerged as one of the league’s top players. He was named the 2012 MLS Defender of the Year and he has appeared in 10 matches, all starts, with Sporting KC this season.
Besler currently is on the United States roster for the latest stretch of World Cup qualifying matches. He played all 90 minutes in Friday’s 2-1 victory at Jamaica. The team returns to action tonight against Panama. The game is set for 10 (ET) in Seattle, Wash., and it can be seen live on ESPN.
Last season, Morrow started the MLS All-Star Game and helped the squad top EPL power Chelsea, 3-2. The San Jose Earthquake defender is in his fourth season in the league. He has started 13 of the 14 matches he has appeared in this season and has one goal.
Powers, a midfielder, is enjoying a solid rookie campaign with the Colorado Rapids. He has played in 13 of the club’s 14 matches and has notched 12 starts. Powers has two goals and one assist.
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