The very fact that you’re pissed your boy didn’t get on made me vote Yes.

That said, if any DCU guy should have gotten in, it should have been Najar. Guessing this is a farewell thing more than anything else, since the Bolivian team is coming here to play in a couple weeks.

Commissioner’s picks are the Don’s to do with as he pleases. It is not for us mere mortals to question the Don on this, the day of his daughter’s wedding…

Personally, I don’t much like the All-Star Game, especially mid-season (If you’re going to be pissed about something, be pissed about that). Regardless, I don’t have a problem giving the all-time leading everything guy one last resume line. Like an honorary Ph.D, he really didn’t earn the honor the way everybody else did, but that doesn’t mean he’s not deserving on other criteria.

Besides, most United fans I’ve talked to over the years actually get annoyed when our guys make the squad - injuries are waaay to frequent (See Namoff, Pontius, Wallace, Jakovic, Emilio, Pontius again, Jakovic again…) to risk our best players’ health in a meaningless midsummer matchup (excuse the alliteration). The trick is to be named to the “inactive all star” list, where you still get your performance bonus (30 players total get one) but don’t actually have to show up to the festivities.

Eh, all things being equal, maybe he shouldn’t have made it. But it’s only the All-Star Game—it’s just meant to be fun, and he’s the only DCU player to make the squad, so I’m happy. I voted No, but I’m not pissed off about it.

I think we all made some assumptions heading in.

We assumed first that Don Garber would use his two selections to take exciting players that fans like to watch. That’s why we thought Najar would get picked. Or even Fredy Montero would be a justifiable pick. But Moreno is no longer that sexy player, and Ching definitely isn’t either.

Secondly, we assumed that Garber has a clue what the fans want. It seems to me like he had his own agenda that he was trying to carry out with his two picks. And that agenda was definitely not giving the fans what they want.

Regardless of Garber’s reasoning, don’t hate on Jaime Moreno. He’s pure class on and off the field, and he doesn’t need to be mocked for his stats this season. Blame Garber. Don’t blame Jaime.

denz, I can see why this would bug you, since RSL is one of the best teams in the league and plays great soccer. However, I think you’re overreacting here while totally ignoring Moreno’s contributions to MLS history (for example, Moreno has 134 league goals in MLS, the same number as the entire RSL roster). Let’s not forget that just last year, Garber’s picks were exclusively RSL players, despite the fact that RSL was a middling 5-6-5 at that point, and one of those picks (Javier Morales) had a rather disappointing opening half to the season. Seems to me you’re getting a little greedy, even if Saborio would have made my squad.

Plus, if we look back a few years, MLS screwed Moreno over in 2004 by ridiculously giving the MVP to Amado Guevara, who had a superb first half of the season followed by a second half that ranged from “adequate” to “indifferent.” Moreno, meanwhile, was fantastic all season long. This also wipes away the talk of bonuses in my book, since Moreno would have gotten a bonus for that MVP award but did not.

This is a lifetime achievement award. Moreno may have only had one season where he was the outright best player in MLS, but he’s had easily the best career in MLS history. It also seems highly likely that he’ll retire at the end of the season. MLS should recognize guys like Moreno when they get the chance, and letting him into this all star game is probably the last real opportunity they’ll get.

Finally, the commissioner’s picks are generally indulgent (Freddy Adu was once an MLS all star, for example). There’s also usually a hometown pick in there (or two, if you’re especially lucky!). This is no different, and really shouldn’t be come as much of a surprise.