Sporting KC’s Nielsen, Collin and Zusi named to MLS All-Star gameday roster

Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, defender Aurelien Collin and midfielder Graham Zusi were named to the gameday roster for the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, Major League Soccer announced on Sunday. The club’s three representatives, tied for most of any MLS team, will be available for selection to play against UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea FC on July 25 at PPL Park.

All three players were voted into the MLS All-Star First XI earlier this month and join the club’s list of 45 all-time All-Star selections (full list below).

"It's the fans who have been voting. I'm really happy that all three got through to the All-Star Game,” Nielsen said. “We could have even picked a few more to be All-Stars, but I'm very happy and very proud of our fans that we got three guys voted in. It's going to be extremely fun and I'm looking forward to that game."

"It will be a big honor to represent Sporting Kansas City at the All-Star Game,” Collin said. “At the same time, we’ll be representing MLS against the best team in Europe. It's a big challenge and I'm very happy to be included."

“I'm very thankful to those who voted,” Zusi said. “It's a very big honor to be recognized by your peers and the fans, as well. I'm extremely excited to be one of the few representing Major League Soccer and to play against a team of the caliber of Chelsea. It’s always a lot of fun when you can see where you stand against some of the best in the world.”

The 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and TeleFutura in the United States, with coverage in Canada on TSN and RDS.

In addition to the 18 MLS All-Stars on the gameday roster, 14 more players will be named 2012 MLS All-Stars as determined by player voting. Those selections will be unveiled on July 25.

2012 MLS All-Star Gameday Roster

Goalkeeper: Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA), Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting Kansas City)

Defenders: Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Aurélien Collin (Sporting Kansas City), Ramiro Corrales (San Jose Earthquakes), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Heath Pearce (New York Red Bulls), Carlos Valdes (Philadelphia Union)

Midfielders: Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders FC), David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake),  Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Forwards: Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls), Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC), Chris Pontius  (D.C. United), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Sporting Kansas City’s All-Star selections all-time (1996-2012)