All-Star
Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy played 45 minutes in the 2012 MLS All-Star Team's 3-2 victory over English Premier League's Chelsea FC today in PPL Park in Philadelphia.
Chivas USA’s own goalkeeper Dan Kennedy will participate in tonight’s 2012 MLS All-Star game against English Premier League’s and FA Cup Champion Chelsea FC at 5:30 p.m. PT in PPL Park in Philadelphia. Dan received his first call-up to the All-Star Team on Sunday, July 15, when Head Coach Ben Olsen selected the Yorba Linda native. The match will be televised live on ESPN2 and Telefutura.
So far in the season, Dan has made 61 saves for the Red-and-White and has 1.11 goals against average, maintaining himself among the top five goalkeepers in the league.
On behalf of everyone at Chivas USA, good luck Dan!
After being named to the 2012 MLS All-Star Team, Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy’s schedule has turned quite the busy one. The Yorba Linda, California native must now prepare for a busy schedule ahead: tomorrow’s match vs Portland Timbers, Saturday’s second SuperClásico of the Year, his birthday the following day (he wants to celebrate it with a win on Saturday), then flying out to Philadelphia to prepare for Wednesday’s MLS All-Star game vs FA Cup Champion Chelsea FC. Before going into all the chaos, Dan spoke to FS West about his All-Star selection at yesterday’s Dodger game at Dodgers Stadium. Check out what the MLS All-Star had to say:
Like many, successful people like to give back to their community. Jesse Torres is one of them. Born and raised in the streets of East Los Angeles, Jesse grew up to become a successful banker. Since he started playing soccer at the young age of five, he later became a soccer couch and founded the Hermosa Beach Soccer Club, and has chaired the L.A. Watts Summer Games soccer tournaments since 2006, organization that promotes competition among high schools in the area of athleticism. Jesse is also gives back to East Los Angeles as he serves as current President of the Rotary Club of East Los Angeles.
Now, Jesse is working to earn $10,000 for the local Boys Scouts chapter in his nomination to MLS W.O.R.K.S Community MVP. Not only will Jesse earn the money for the organization, but a trip to Philadelphia to represent Chivas USA in the 2012 MLS All-Star game.
You can vote for Jesse Torres by clicking here. Polls close Friday, July 13, so hurry and vote now! And now, a word from the man himself, Jesse Torres:
It has been a real battle for the MLS All-Star goalkeeper spot between Chivas USA’s Dan Kennedy and Sporting Kansas City's Jimmy Nielsen since the voting opened earlier this month, but luckily, Kennedy is currently leading the poll! So far in the season, Kennedy has had 49 saves in the season, ranking among the top four in the league in comparison to Nielsen’s 29 saves. Since his integration to Major League Soccer in 2008, Kennedy has made 194 saves, landing him in the 38th all-time goalkeeping spot, and is just one save away from tying with legendary Mexican goalkeeper (and forward) Jorge Campos. The 29 year-old Kennedy is also 94 saves from matching former Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who currently sits in 29th place with 288 saves. On average, Kennedy makes 3.5 saves per match.
Even though Kennedy is leading in the votes, it’s up to you to keep him up there and get him to that MLS All-Star Team! You can continue voting for him online (click here), but since you already have your phone in your hand, send a text with the player’s last name to 22442. You may also vote via Twitter from June 21-22 by sending your candidates full name and using the hashtag #MLSAllStar and you MUST be following @MLS. There are plenty of ways you can vote for Kennedy and all the other Chivas USA players. You just gotta do it… NOW!
Venezuelan forward Alejandro Moreno receives an MLS All-Star nomination as he enters his 11th season in MLS. In his career, Moreno has played 259 games (209 starts), notching 51 goals and 37 assists. In his second season with Chivas USA, Moreno has disputed nine games (eight starts) missing the first three games of the season due to a broken nose in the preseason. Upon his return to the starting line-up, the team captain made an immediate impact in the team’s attacking front, scoring his first goal of the season in the team’s 2-1 win over Portland Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field on April 7. With that goal, Moreno tied as the top Venezuelan goal scorer in MLS along with Giovanni Savarese. Check out Moreno’s 51st career goal:
Colombian forward Juan Pablo Angel receives his fourth nomination to MLS All-Star Team after stellar performances in the six games (four starts) he has played this season with the Red-and-White after missing five games early this season due to concussion symptoms. The first MLS All-Star Team participation for Angel came in 2007, just as the 36 year-old striker began his MLS career with New York Red Bulls. In his first All-Star game, Angel faced Scottish Premier League Celtic FC, scored one goal and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Angel received his second consecutive call-up in 2008 and later in 2010. So far this season, Angel has scored two goals with the Goats, the latest being against his former team New York Red Bulls on May 23 at Red Bull Arena and leads the team with 19 shots and eight shots on goal. His performance and goal in the 1-1 draw with the Red Bulls earned him a nomination to MLS Goal of the Week and named him Futbol MLS’ Latino of the Week.
Ecuadorian midfielder Oswaldo Minda joined Chivas USA in the offseason, just days after being crowned league champion in his native country. Since then, Minda has made a strong impact in the Red-and-White midfield, proving to be just what the team needed. So far in the season, Minda has played 11 games (all starts), missing only two games due to accumulation of yellow cards and international duty (CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers.) Just last April 16, Minda scored his first MLS career goal (23rd career goal), which led to Chivas USA's 1-0 win over Toronto FC in BMO Field. For that goal, Minda was named Futbol MLS' Latino of the Week for Week 6. Check out Minda first goal with the Red-and-White:
Nick LaBrocca receives his second consecutive MLS All-Star Team nomination as the midfielder has proven himself on the field this season, playing 12 games (all starts) with Chivas USA before a hamstring injury paused his season. Just last year, LaBrocca finished the season with eight goal scores, sharing the top spot with Justin Braun. Currently, LaBrocca sits behind forward Juan Pablo Angel with most shots (17) and shots on goal (6) and has already began scoring this year. His first goal of the season came on April 7th, as the New Jersey native scored the winning goal in Chivas USA’s second consecutive road win at Portland Timbers. Check out his goal: