Sporting Kansas City striker Omar Bravo was selected to the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on Saturday as one of two picks made by Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber.
“Omar Bravo is a player with big-game experience, and that was a key factor in my decision to name him as one of my commissioner’s picks,” Garber said. “His quickness and unpredictable nature will create scoring chances, and that will be critical to our success against Manchester United.”
WATCH: Garber reveals his picks live on FOX Soccer
Bravo, 31, leads Sporting Kansas City with four goals this season and has added two assists, including one game-winner in each category. The club’s second-ever Designated Player, he earned MLS Player of the Week honors after scoring twice in his debut at Chivas USA and was named FutbolMLS.com’s “Latino de la Jornada” this week after scoring the game-tying goal in the 93rd minute of the team’s 1-1 draw last Saturday.
“It is an honor to be one of Commissioner Garber's picks for the 2011 AT&T All-Star Game,” Bravo said. “I missed the trip to New York earlier this season; it is one of my favorite places to visit. It will be also be great to see friends like Chicharito (Javier Hernandez), Rafa (Marquez) and the other All-Stars. I will represent my team well and I know the game will be very competitive."
The former Mexico National Team icon earns the All-Star recognition in his first season in Major League Soccer after arriving from Mexico’s Chivas Guadalajara, where he ranks second on the club’s all-time goal scoring chart.
“Omar Bravo is deserving of this selection,” Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes said. “Not only has he been an impactful player for Sporting Kansas City, but he has also been important for Major League Soccer.”
Bravo joins Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler, an overwhelming winner in the AT&T Text Voting, among the 14 MLS All-Star selections announced to date. All-Star coach Hans Backe and his staff will select the entire game day roster, which will be unveiled on MLSsoccer.com on Monday, July 18.
The 2011 MLS All-Stars will go up against English Premier League champions Manchester United at 7:30 p.m. CT on July 27th at Red Bull Arena, and will be shown live on ESPN2, Galavision and TSN2.
New York Red Bulls striker Juan Agudelo was the second selection made by Garber on Saturday.
