A World Cup pedigree may not mean a place in the starting 11 at the MLS All-Star game, according to D.C. United coach Peter Nowak.
The All-Star team announced Wednesday includes five U.S. national team members who played in the World Cup. But Nowak, who will coach the team against English Premier League champion Chelsea on Aug. 5, is not required to start all 11 first-team selections.
“I always feel like even the players are national team players, but they actually didn’t play many games in our league,” said Nowak. “We’re supposed to reward these guys who really play in this league, who during this 10-week period make really good progress and show in a good way. It’s always going to be players who are going to be disappointed, but this is a very competitive game.”
Three United players – Jaime Moreno, Christian Gomez and Troy Perkins – are All-Stars and Nowak could add more when he announces five reserve selections on Monday. MLS commissioner Don Garber will add two picks, and 14 alternates also will be chosen. Players from Chivas USA and the New England Revolution won’t participate due to a league contest on Aug. 6.
