Time is running out to send LAFC players to the 2018 MLS All-Star Game in Atlanta.
Voting wraps up Wednesday at 11:55pm PT. If you haven’t voted yet, make sure you fill out your ballot below – seriously, you wouldn’t want the entire team to be Atlanta United players.
EA SPORTS "More Than a Vote" challenge:
One goal equals one vote.
Cast your vote for the MLS All-Stars' third forward by scoring goals in EA SPORTS FIFA 17 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One or Xbox 360. Every time you score a goal using a forward on the MLS All-Star ballot that player will receive a vote. Each goal scored equals one vote. (Voting ends June 20 at 11:55 PM PT.)
Just in case you need more convincing. I dove into the numbers, and here’s my take on the eight LAFC players on the ballot. And if you don’t want to take my word for it, I asked some of the LAFC players to give their best pitches for their teammates’ all-star credentials:
Carlos Vela
Even the most casual of observers can see Carlos Vela’s class on the pitch. He scores absolute golazos – I don’t think we’ve seen him score anything but beautiful goals. He glides past markers with ease. He has an eye for a defense-busting passes. And he leads LAFC in scoring this season.
Vela seven goals before leaving for the World Cup have him still in the top 10 in MLS. Combine that with his five assists, and you’ve got a surefire All-Star.
Benny Feilhaber on Carlos: “Carlos deserves to be an All-Star because he can do this over and over again.” – by this, he was referring to Carlos’ penchant for bending balls into the top corner of opposing keeper’s goals.
Tyler Miller
Prior to this season, Tyler Miller had a total of 180 minutes in MLS. Taking the reins in goal for LAFC, Miller has four shutouts in 14 matches. He single-handedly held the Seattle Sounders at bay in the Club’s first match of the season, earning the first win and shutout in LAFC history.
Walker Zimmerman on Tyler: “Tyler Miller deserves to be an All-Star because this is really his breakout season. He’s shown that he can come in, capture a No. 1 role, and help lead us from the back to become a team that competes for the top spot in the West.”
Marco Ureña
Before an injury kept him out of action for a month, Marco Ureña was the most influential attacker on LAFC’s squad. And this is on a team with Carlos Vela.
It’s the tireless work Ureña provides every match that allows the likes of Vela and Diego Rossi the freedom and space to work their magic on the pitch. But if you need numbers, too. In just seven matches, Ureña has five assists. His assists per 90 minutes played is still near the top of the league, and he hasn’t played in a match since April 29.
Diego Rossi on Marco: “Marco deserves to be an All-Star because he’s a great person and performs at a high level.”
Diego Rossi
Diego Rossi is just 20 years old and in his first MLS season, but already he’s one of the most exciting players in the League.
Rossi has five goals and six assists this season, adding another goal in LAFC’s first Open Cup match against Fresno FC. In LAFC’s second match against Real Salt Lake, the Uruguayan scored or assisted on all five of his side’s goals – just the sixth time in MLS history a player has accomplished that feat.
Steven Beitashour on Diego: “Diego Rossi should be on the All-Star Team because he scored the first goal in LAFC history. What more need I say?”
Laurent Ciman
The man that never saw a slide tackle he didn’t like, Laurent Ciman is the indomitable leader of LAFC.
Partnering with Walker Zimmerman in the LAFC backline, the General wears his heart on his sleeve on the pitch. He’s good for a goal line clearance, last ditch tackle, and piledriving free kick in nearly every match. His rocket against Montreal is probably the hardest hit shot of the season, and he followed that up with the game-winner in the Club’s first-ever home match.
Tyler Miller on Laurent: “Laurent deserves to be an All-Star this year because he’s been a full professional on and off the field. And he’s got a great haircut.”
Walker Zimmerman
After an injury kept him out of LAFC’s first three matches, Walker Zimmerman has been a fixture at the back for the Club ever since.
Zimmerman’s steady play at the back provides a platform for LAFC to take risks higher up the pitch. He’s adept with the ball at his feet for a center back, and he’s always a danger on set pieces. The defender has one assist this season, coming in the 90th minute of LAFC’s comeback win over San Jose – and of course, it was the result of a set piece.
Dejan Jaković on Walker: “Walker deserves to be on the All-Star Team because he’s been a stud for us. He’s the All-Stars’ best chance to score a goal off a set piece.”
Steven Beitashour
For my money, the best right back currently in MLS.
The former Toronto FC defender has been in the form of his life with LAFC. Bombing down the right flank, Beitashour covers more ground in one half than most players do over an entire match. And yet, he never seems to be out of position.
Beitashour’s four assists are top among MLS defenders this season. Add to that two goals, and Beitashour is the epitome of the modern attacking full back.
Jordan Harvey on Beitashour: “Steven Beitashour deserves to be an All-Star because throughout the course of this season, he’s contributed to this team on and off the field in ways that only this group really knows. The stats speak for themselves, but he’s not just a quality player, he’s a quality guy.”
Benny Feilhaber
Benny Feilhaber has quietly been the driving force of the LAFC midfield this season.
Tasked with balancing play going forward and keeping LAFC connected in transition, Feilhaber has two goals and two assists this season. Much of his work doesn’t find its way onto the scoresheet, so he doesn’t have the flashiest numbers. But Feilhaber’s work as the link between defense and attack for LAFC is vital to Bob Bradley’s game plan.
The midfielder is averaging one key pass per match and is second on the team with an 87.9 percent pass completion rate.
Mark-Anthony Kaye on Benny: “Benny deserves to be an All-Star because he deserves at least one vote. Vote for Benny.”
