The 2015 MLS All-Star game was an unforgettable one, and the 2016 edition promises to be just as great.
Fans voted Lions captain Kaká as the MLS captain against English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, and he didn’t disappoint. Kaká led the MLS All-Stars – featuring Gyasi Zardes, David Villa, Clint Dempsey and Kei Kamara – to a 2-1 over Spurs with a goal and an assist, earning himself MLS All-Star MVP.
“To have a chance to play in one of these games is amazing,” Kaká said ahead of last year’s game. “I’m excited to take Orlando City’s flag to the MLS All-Star and be a part of the team. To play with the best players in America will be nice, it will be a great game and a great experience for everybody.”
Participating in an all-star game was always a dream of his. He grew up watching the NFL and NBA all-star games but never had an opportunity to play in one himself, as MLS is the only soccer league in the world to host an all-star game.
Cast your 2016 All-Star Ballot
This year’s opponent is Arsenal FC. The Gunners finished second in the EPL this year and feature Mesut Özil, Alexis Sánchez, Olivier Giroud and legendary goalkeeper Petr Čech.
Kaká was the only Lion selected last year, but that’s sure to change in 2016. Eight Orlando City players are on the fan ballot: goalkeeper Joe Bendik – who is second in MLS in saves – defenders Brek Shea, Seb Hines, midfielders Kaká, Darwin Cerén, Cristian Higuita, Kevin Molino, and forward Cyle Larin – the reigning MLS Rookie of the Year and the Lions’ leading goal-scorer. A total of 32 players will make the team.
The top ten vote getters – a goalkeeper, three defenders, four midfielders and two forwards – will make the All-Star Fan XI. The other forward will be selected through the AT&T/EA Sports “More Than a Vote” challenge. Fans will cast their votes by scoring goals on EA Sports FIFA 16 on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 from May 26 through July 4. Each goal scored counts as one vote for that player.
And there’s more than just the All-Star game for fans to enjoy. The six days leading up to the match will feature a concert at San Pedro Square on Monday, community service initiatives through MLS WORKS, a Special Olympics Unified soccer match and All-Star training on Tuesday. Wedensday will feature the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game – Orlando City defender Tyler Turner played in last year’s game – and plenty of pregame festivities leading up to the game on Thursday.
The game will take place on Thursday, July 28, at Avaya Stadium, home of the San Jose Earthquakes, and televised nationally on ESPN and Univision, as well as TSN and the RDS family of networks.
