For the second consecutive season, Sounders forwards Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins have been selected to the 2015 MLS All-Star Game Fan XI, joining Sporting Kansas City as the two teams with multiple players.
Dempsey, 32, makes his fourth MLS All-Star appearance after starting in 2005 and 2006 with the New England Revolution. Dempsey has seven goals (tied for ninth in MLS) and is tied for fifth with six assists in 12 matches, in addition to three goals in two matches for the USMNT at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Because of a suspension and international play, Dempsey hasn’t been on an MLS pitch in more than a month.
Martins, 29, earned his second selection since joining the Sounders in March 2013. The 2014 MLS MVP runner-up is tied with Dempsey for the team lead with seven goals, and his 32 career MLS goals ranks second in club history.
Due to injuries, he hasn’t played since June 13 and is likely to miss the game.
The All-Star team faces English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and ex-Sounder DeAndre Yedin at 6 p.m. PT July 29 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO.
While 10 of the 11 players are determined by combined fan voting on two platforms — online at MLSsoccer.com and via social media (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) — the 11th player is determined through the All-Star “More Than a Vote” Tournament. For the second consecutive year, Martins earned that spot.
The Sounders have earned multiple All-Star selections in each of the seven years in the league. Dempsey and Martins become the sixth and seventh Seattle players to be selected to multiple All-Star games, joining Kasey Keller (2009-2011), Freddie Ljungberg (2009-2010), Fredy Montero (2009-2010), Osvaldo Alonso (2011-2013) and DeAndre Yedlin (2012-2013).
The All-Star Gameday roster will be announced Saturday and will include the two Commissioner’s Picks, English midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard — despite the fact that neither of the newcomers has played in an MLS game — as well as 20 players selected by All-Star head coach Pablo Mastroeni. While the players named to the Fan XI are not guaranteed a spot on the roster, the outcome of fan voting is taken into consideration as the 22-man roster is decided.
2015 MLS ALL-STAR FAN XI
Goalkeeper: Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Defenders: Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo)
Midfielders: Kaká (Orlando City SC), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Sporting Kansas City), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
Forwards: Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), David Villa (New York City FC), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders FC)
