Sometimes a league gets their All-Star selection process right, now matter how hard the fans try to screw it up, in this case MLS has it right.
We in Seattle though, are probably getting it wrong.
Currently eight Sounders are in line for the fan vote XI. Eight of eleven for a team that is in second place. While certainly the fanbase is as large in Seattle as for any club in MLS, should Sounders FC really have eight players on the 28 man roster?
Certainly not.
Arguments could be made for some of the players, particularly on the defensive end. Sounders FC has a solid defense led by Keller and the triangle of Hurtado, Marshall and Alonso. Where it gets a bit funny is in the attacking players that are currently leading.
An argument could be made for Steve Zakuani (though Chris Pontius may be a better rookie choice). Two goals, three assists and the consistent displays of excitement on the Left Wing are certainly worthy of respect league wide.
But Fredy Montero? Freddie Ljungberg? Face it the Freddyain haven't been that good. Between them they don't have the goals of seven other players. Montero earned the Player of the Month for March, but one month shouldn't make an All-Star. Ljungberg is one of the league DPs, but has he been the best CAM so far? Or would you give the nod to Blanco, GBS or DeRo?
And Seba? He's a fan favorite, but he hasn't earned it yet. He may, as he continues to play more, but the proof isn't there, except that he wears Rave Green.
Oddly, the Sounders only offensive player on the leader board for either goals or assists isn't on the list. Nate Jaqua is tied for third in the league for assists. For Sounders fans that isn't good enough.
I understand that we want to support our boys/men. And I say Keep at It.
Because MLS gets the All-Star game right. Fans get 25% of the overall vote. GMs/Coaches, media and players also get 25% of the vote. This means that the All-Star game's 28 players are going to be quite close to the 28 best players from the first half of the season.
It means that Brian McBride will be beating Everton's ass. This means that Paulo Nagamura will get the respect that he's earned leading Chivas USA to their great start. Zach Thornton will almost certainly be the second keeper. The MLS roster will be stocked with talent. Probably enough for two Championship clubs.
They will win the game.
And while the Sounders should likely have 4 or 5 players at the game based on their play right now, keep voting for them. Show Philly, Portland, Vancouver and Montreal how its done. Sounders Fans, continue to make the fan vote a joke, and know that the league will get it right, but also that our team will get our love.