MLS has released an update on the state of play in the voting for the All-Star roster, which is to be coached by Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy.
Bryan ArellanoBryxn_AWilliam AllenWAS_AllenUpdate: Jun 6th, 2024 05:26 EDT0
MEGAN BRIGGSAFP
Several Inter Miami men are among the players who lead the MLS All-Star vote, with under a week to go until the ballot closes. Having helped Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are all frontrunners in the race to be voted into the roster for the 2024 All-Star Game, which will see the MLS All-Stars take on an ideal XI from Mexico’s Liga MX.
How does the MLS All-Star vote work?
The vote, which opened on Wednesday 29 May, gives fans, media and MLS players the chance to make their picks for the All-Star roster, which is to be coached by Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy. Weighted evenly been the three voting groups, the All-Star vote will account for 12 members of the 26-man squad.
A further 12 players will be selected by Nancy, with MLS commissioner Don Garber choosing the roster’s final two members. Fans, media and players nominate 11 men in a 4-2-3-1 formation: a goalkeeper, a right-back, two center-backs, a left-back, a defensive midfielder, two attacking midfielders and three forwards/wingers.
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Wilfried Nancy (right) will coach the 2024 MLS All-Stars.John David MercerUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
MLS issues update on progress of All-Star vote
On Wednesday, MLS offered an update on the voting results as things stand, releasing a list of the five most-nominated players in each position. Messi is the top-voted forward/winger, and Busquets and Alba are the most popular picks at defensive midfield and left-back, respectively. Suárez is third in the list of forwards/wingers.
Miami’s total of four players across the seven top fives is second only to fellow Eastern Conference pace-setters FC Cincinnati, who have six (Roman Celentano, Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga, Luca Orellano, DeAndre Yedlin and Luciano Acosta). Columbus, the 2023 MLS Cup winners, are alongside Miami with four players (Rudy Camacho, Mohamed Farsi, Aidan Morris and Darlington Nagbe).
This season’s MLS leading scorer, Cristian Arango, whose 16 goals have fired Real Salt Lake to first place in the Western Conference standings, is one of three RSL stars among the league’s most-voted players. Salt Lake are also represented by Emeka Eneli and Justen Glad. The leaders in the MLS All-Star vote also include a trio of Atlanta United players: Caleb Wiley, Brooks Lennon and Thiago Almada.
MLS All-Star roster: the most-voted players
Forwards/wingers
1. Lionel Messi – Inter Miami CF2. Cristian Arango – Real Salt Lake3. Luis Suárez – Inter Miami CF4. Christian Benteke – D.C. United5. Dénis Bouanga – LAFC
Attacking midfielders
1. Luciano Acosta – FC Cincinnati2. Riqui Puig – LA Galaxy3. Thiago Almada – Atlanta United4. Emil Forsberg – New York Red Bulls5. Robin Lod – Minnesota United FC
Defensive midfielders
1. Sergio Busquets – Inter Miami CF2. Aidan Morris – Columbus Crew3. Kellyn Acosta – Chicago Fire FC4. Darlington Nagbe – Columbus Crew5. Emeka Eneli – Real Salt Lake
Right-backs
1. Aaron Herrera – D.C. United2. DeAndre Yedlin – FC Cincinnati3. Mohamed Farsi – Columbus Crew4. Miki Yamane – LA Galaxy5. Brooks Lennon – Atlanta United
Left-backs
1. Jordi Alba – Inter Miami CF2. Luca Orellano – FC Cincinnati3. John Tolkin – New York Red Bulls4. Kai Wagner – Philadelphia Union5. Caleb Wiley – Atlanta United
Centre-backs
1. Miles Robinson – FC Cincinnati2. Moise Bombito – Colorado Rapids3. Matt Miazga – FC Cincinnati4. Justen Glad – Real Salt Lake5. Rudy Camacho – Columbus Crew
Goalkeepers
1. Matt Freese – New York City FC2. Kristijan Kahlina – Charlotte FC3. Hugo Lloris – LAFC4. Roman Celentano – FC Cincinnati5. Maarten Paes – FC Dallas
When is the 2024 MLS All-Star Game? Date, time, how to watch
The 2024 MLS All-Star Game takes place on Wednesday 24 July 2024, and will be held at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm ET/5pm PT.
