Darlington Nagbe Named to MLS All-Star Game Fan XI

Darlington Nagbe is an All-Star.

I knew it, you knew it, and now fans from all around Major League Soccer have made it official in Nagbe's sixth year in the league.

Nagbe has been central to the Timbers in 2016, providing a goal and three assists for the Timbers so far this season. Recognized around the league for his accurate passing and explosive dribbling ability, however, it is Nagbe's less flashy stats that have earned him his place on the Fan XI.

Of course, it probably helps that Nagbe has made regular appearances for the United States Men's National Team since becoming eligible late last season, making getting his tenth cap during the US's semi-final run in the Copa America Centenario.

Nagbe's inclusion in the Fan XI does not guarantee him a spot in the game day roster for the MLS All-Star Game, which will be held on July 28th in San Jose, but it is a good start.

The Timbers' press release:

TIMBERS’ DARLINGTON NAGBE VOTED TO 2016 AT&T MLS ALL-STAR FAN XI
Portland midfielder selected to Fan XI as one of MLS’ top vote-getters

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe has been voted to the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Fan XI, it was announced today during halftime of ESPN’s broadcast of the Seattle Sounders FC-LA Galaxy match.

As part of the Fan XI, Nagbe was one of the top vote-getters for the 2016 MLS All-Star squad based upon fan voting online at MLSsoccer.com. The All-Star ballot featured a total of 160 players, as chosen by a panel of media members.

The 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star game features a contest between the MLS All-Stars and English Premier League club Arsenal FC at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif., on Thursday, July 28, at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific), live on ESPN, UniMás, UDN, TSN, and RDS. 

The selection marks Nagbe’s first nomination to the All-Star Fan XI since joining MLS in 2011. The Timbers career-leader in appearances across all eras (since 1975), Nagbe, 25, has made 12 starts in 12 appearances for the Timbers in 2016, compiling 172 appearances (161 starts) since beginning his MLS career with Portland in 2011. Prior to joining the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2016 Copa America Centenario in June, Nagbe recorded one goal and three assists over a six-game stretch (April 27-May 22) with Portland, extending his career tally to 24 goals and 23 assists with the Timbers. Across all eras in club history (since 1975), Nagbe is ranked 10th for goals and sixth for assists, while ranking eighth for points (71).

Additionally, Nagbe ranks first in MLS for passing accuracy in the opponent’s half (88.86) among players who have played at least 12 games this season, while ranking third for overall passing accuracy (90.42 percent), according to Opta. Nagbe has also been named to the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week two times this season (Week 10 and 13), winning MLS Goal of the Week in Week 13.

The 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star game day roster will be announced on Sunday, July 17, and include the two Commissioner’s Picks as well as 20 players selected by All-Star team head coach Dominic Kinnear. While the players named to the Fan XI are not guaranteed a spot on the game day roster, the outcome of fan voting is taken into consideration as the 22-man roster is decided.

2016 MLS All-Star Fan XI
Goalkeeper: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)

Defenders: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Laurent Ciman (Montreal Impact), Keegan Rosenberry (Philadelphia Union)

Midfielders: Kaká (Orlando City SC), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy)

Forwards: Didier Drogba (Montreal Impact), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), David Villa (New York City FC – AT&T/EA SPORTS™ "More Than a Vote" Challenge)