PORTLAND, Ore.– Major League Soccer today revealed that Portland Timbers midfielder and captain Jack Jewsbury has been selected to the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star First XI; it was announced during halftime of ESPN’s broadcast of the Timbers’ match against Seattle Sounders FC.
As part of the First XI, Jewsbury was one of the top vote-getters at the midfield position for the 2011 MLS All-Star squad based upon combined fan voting on three platforms – online at MLSsoccer.com, via text message and Twitter. The online and text voting ballot consisted of six players from each club, as chosen by a panel of media members.
The 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game pits the MLS All-Stars against English Premier League champions Manchester United at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, July 27, live on ESPN2, Galavisión and TSN at 5:30 p.m. (PT).
Jewsbury, 30, receives his first MLS All-Star selection. In his ninth season in MLS, Jewsbury leads the Timbers in scoring this season with four goals and six assists. His 14 points on the season is a new career high and his assists total ranks among league leaders. Jewsbury, who played in his 200th career MLS match earlier this season, has started all 17 games, including today’s match against Seattle, and played every minute of the Timbers’ inaugural MLS season. Between April 30 and May 21, Jewsbury had four consecutive games with an assist.
The First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup for the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game. MLS All-Star coach Hans Backe (New York) will select the game’s starters based on player availability and tactical considerations. The complete game day roster will be announced on Monday, July 18, with the final list of this season’s 32 All-Stars announced Monday, July 25.
A 12th member of the 2011 MLS All-Star team will be announced today on MLSsoccer.com following the Portland-Seattle match. The 12th All-Star will be the top vote-getter from the text voting.
2011 MLS All-Star First XI
Goalkeeper: Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounder FC)
Defenders: Sean Franklin (LA Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Rafa Marquez (New York Red Bulls), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)
Midfielders: David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Jack Jewsbury(Portland Timbers), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
Forwards: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
