MLS announces 'All-Star' starters

9 July 2004
San Jose midfielder Landon Donovan was one of five Earthquakes selected to start in the MLS All-Star game.

The league announced the 22 starters Friday, with defending MLS Cup champion San Jose and runner-up Chicago Fire each sending five players. The MetroStars and Los Angeles Galaxy each have three starters.

The ninth annual All-Star game is July 31 at Washington's RFK Stadium.

Donovan will make his fourth straight All-Star appearance, while Earthquake defender Jeff Agoos is the only player to be selected to all nine all-star games. Goalkeeper Pat Onstad, midfielder Richard Mulrooney and forward Brian Ching were also picked.

Also starting for the Western Conference are league scoring leader and last year's All-Star MVP Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles); Andreas Herzog (Los Angeles); Ronnie O'Brien (Dallas); Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado); Cory Gibbs (Dallas); and Chris Albright (Los Angeles).

The Fire's Chris Armas was selected for the seventh straight year. He was joined by teammates forward Damani Ralph, midfielder DeMarcus Beasley, defender Jim Curtin and goalkeeper Henry Ring.

Eddie Gaven, a 17-year-old midfielder for the MetroStars, became the youngest All-Star ever, while teammate Eddie Pope earned his eighth straight spot.

Other Eastern Conference players earning starting spots include Jaime Moreno (D.C. United); Amado Guevara (MetroStars); Ryan Nelsen (D.C. United); and Frankie Hejduk (Columbus).

Starters were determined through voting by fans, media, players, coaches and general managers.