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SANDY — As Real Salt Lake looks to make history by extending its unbeaten start to the season to what would be an MLS record 13 games, eight members of the team have been named to the 2014 MLS All-Star fan ballot.
Captain Kyle Beckerman looks to make his eighth-consecutive appearance on the All-Star roster. Joining him on this year’s ballot are two-time selectees Nick Rimando and Javier Morales and 2013 All-Star Tony Beltran, while Nat Borchers, Chris Schuler, Joao Plata and Alvaro Saborio look to get their first nod.
Fan voting will determine the initial 11 players named to the roster by choosing a hypothetical 3-4-3 formation — three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards — and a goalkeeper.
One additional forward will be added to the All-Star Fan XI by way of the AT&T/EA SPORTS “More than a Vote” challenge, which awards the MLS forward with the greatest amount of goals scored in the video game “FIFA 14.”
The game will be played at the Portland Timbers’ Providence Park Aug. 6, where the MLS All-Stars will meet German Bundesliga champion and UEFA Champions League semifinalist Bayern Munich. Timbers coach Caleb Porter will be leading the MLS side against Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Members of the media nominated the 152 players considered for what will eventually be 32 total All-Stars — four goalkeepers, eight defenders, 13 midfielders and seven forwards — with 18 players making the game day roster.
Porter will decide who makes the final 18, as well as the starting lineup.
