Nikolic, Schweinsteiger, Bradley named to MLS All-Star Game

Posted July 07, 2017 1:01 am

By Anne M. Peterson AP Sports Writer

Chicago Fire forward Nemanja Nikolic has been selected to play in the MLS All-Star Game next month at Soldier Field. Associated Press

NYCFC's David Villa, Toronto's Michael Bradley and Chicago's Bastian Schweinsteiger are among the fan selections for next month's Major League Soccer All-Star Game at Soldier Field.

Schweinsteiger, who played on Germany's 2014 World Cup team, will be joined on the MLS squad by Fire teammate Nemanja Nikolic as first-time All-Stars.

The MLS team will face Real Madrid and possibly star Cristiano Ronaldo on Aug. 2 at Soldier Field (7:30 p.m. FS1 / UniMas).

Nikolic, who joined the Fire this season, leads MLS with 16 goals through 19 games.

"It's really a fantastic feeling that I will be part of this team and we can represent the league. We will play against the best team in the world with the best player in the world, and I hope everybody will enjoy this," Nikolic said. "We can be proud."

It will also be a homecoming for midfielder Bradley, who grew up in Palatine and played for Sockers FC Chicago when his father, Bob Bradley, coached the Chicago Fire.

Atlanta United defender Greg Garza and teammate Miguel Almiron are also first-time All-Stars.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the Chicago Rapids will anchor a back line that includes fellow U.S. national players DaMarcus Beasley of the Houston Dynamo and Graham Zusi of Sporting Kansas City. Beasley played 4 ½ seasons for the Fire earlier in his soccer career.

Orlando's Kaka completes the 10 fan selections. The 11th starter is Toronto's Sebastian Giovinco, who was picked in a vote tied to EA Sports' FIFA 17 video game.

All-Star XI at Soldier FieldGoalkeeper: Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids).

Defenders: Greg Garza (Atlanta United), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City), DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo).

Midfielders: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire), Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United), Kaka (Orlando City SC), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC).

Forwards: David Villa (New York City FC), Nemanja Nikolic (Chicago Fire), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC).

Tickets: call 888-MLS-Fire or tickets@chicago-fire.com.

Chicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, left, has been selected to play in the MLS All-Star Game next month at Soldier Field. Associated Press

Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley, who grew up in Palatine, has been selected to play in the MLS All-Star Game next month at Soldier Field. Associated Press

New York City FC forward David Villa has been selected to play in the MLS All-Star Game next month at Soldier Field. Associated Press

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