Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, defender Aurelien Collin and midfielder Graham Zusi were announced as members of the 2012 MLS All-Star First XI on Sunday.
The First XI are the 11 MLS players who received the most fan votes at their respective positions from the 2012 MLS All-Star ballot. Sporting’s three selections are the most of any MLS team. While Nielsen, Collin and Zusi are not guaranteed a spot in the starting XI to face Chelsea FC on July 25 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa., they will be considered for the 18-man gameday roster to be selected by MLS All-Star and D.C. United coach Ben Olsen.
A total of 32 players will be named 2012 MLS All-Stars, with 21 additional participants selected by Olsen, MLS Commissioner Don Garber or MLS player voting. Sporting’s three representatives are the most for the club since 2007, and that number could increase when the remaining All-Star selections are announced.
Based on the data, 2012 may be Kansas City’s most impressive All-Star showing yet. Although the Wizards featured five All-Stars in both 1997 and 2000, significantly fewer MLS franchises existed at the time (compared to the current 19) and a greater number of All-Stars were selected during the East vs. West format(now reduced to 32).
Year-by-year look at KC's MLS All-Star representation
| YEAR | KC All-Stars | Total All-Stars | MLS Teams | Game Format |
| 1996 | 3 | 36 | 10 | East vs. |
| West | ||||
| 1997 | 5 | 36 | 10 | East vs. |
| West | ||||
| 1998 | 3 | 41 | 12 | MLS USA vs. |
| MLS World | ||||
| 1999 | 2 | 40 | 12 | East vs. |
| West | ||||
| 2000 | 5 | 42 | 12 | East vs. |
| West | ||||
| 2001 | 1 | 45 | 12 | East vs. |
| West | ||||
| 2002 | 4 | 40 | 10 | MLS All-Stars vs. |
| U.S. National Team | ||||
| 2003 | 2 | 33 | 10 | MLS All-Stars vs. |
| CD Guadalajara (MEX) | ||||
| 2004 | 4 | 41 | 10 | East vs. |
| West | ||||
| 2005 | 2 | 32 | 12 | MLS All-Stars vs. |
| Fulham (ENG) | ||||
| 2006 | 2 | 31 | 12 | MLS All-Stars vs. |
| Chelsea (ENG) | ||||
| 2007 | 3 | 32 | 13 | MLS All-Stars vs. |
| Celtic (SCO) | ||||
| 2008 | 1 | 32 | 14 | MLS All-Stars vs. |
| West Ham United (ENG) | ||||
| 2009 | 2 | 32 | 15 | MLS All-Stars vs. |
| Everton (ENG) | ||||
| 2010 | 1 | 31 | 16 | MLS All-Stars vs. |
| Manchester United (ENG) | ||||
| 2011 | 2 | 29 | 18 | MLS All-Stars vs. Manchester United (ENG) |
| 2012 | 3* | 32 | 19 | MLS All-Stars vs. |
| Chelsea (ENG) |
Kansas City’s MLS All-Stars by Season
| SEASON | PLAYERS |
| 1996 | Preki |
| Vitalis “Digital” Takawira | |
| Mo Johnston | |
| 1997 | Preki |
| Vitalis “Digital” Takawira | |
| Mo Johnston | |
| Mark Chung | |
| Richard Gough | |
| 1998 | Preki |
| Uche Okafor | |
| Mo Johnston | |
| 1999 | Preki |
| Alexi Lalas | |
| 2000 | Preki |
| Tony Meoloa | |
| Chris Henderson | |
| Peter Vermes | |
| Matt McKeon | |
| 2001 | Matt McKeon |
| 2002 | Preki |
| Tony Meola | |
| Mike Burns | |
| Chris Klein | |
| 2003 | Preki |
| Chris Klein | |
| 2004 | Kerry Zavagnin |
| Jimmy Conrad | |
| Chris Klein | |
| Josh Wolff | |
| 2005 | Jimmy Conrad |
| Chris Klein | |
| 2006 | Jimmy Conrad |
| Jose Burciaga, Jr. | |
| 2007 | Jimmy Conrad |
| Eddie Johnson | |
| Kevin Hartman | |
| 2008 | Jimmy Conrad |
| 2009 | Jimmy Conrad |
| Davy Arnaud | |
| 2010 | Jimmy Nielsen |
| 2011 | Matt Besler |
| Omar Bravo | |
| 2012 | Jimmy Nielsen |
| Aurelien Collin | |
| Graham Zusi |
