PORTLAND, Ore. – Major League Soccer announced today that Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chara has been named to the 26-man roster for the 2019 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target.
Chara is among the 26 MLS players selected to compete against La Liga side Atlético de Madrid at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday, July 31, at 5 p.m. (Pacific), live on FS1, UniMás, TSN and TVA Sports. Today’s announcement included 13 selections – including Chara – by MLS All-Star head coach James O’Connor, players from the previously announced MLS All-Star Fan XI presented by Target and two Commissioner’s picks. The announcement marks the first time Chara, who originally signed with the Timbers for their inaugural MLS season in 2011, has been named to the MLS All-Star roster.
Making his MLS debut on April 23, 2011, after joining the Timbers from Colombian first-division side Deportes Tolima, Chara has established himself as one of the most consistent and talented players in MLS. Since his debut, no other player in the league has more regular-season starts with one club (242), and no MLS player has recorded more tackles (853) and tackles won (677) in regular-season play than Chara during that span.
In his ninth season with the Timbers, Chara, 33, is Portland’s all-time leader in MLS regular-season appearances (244), games started (242) and minutes played (21,412) across all eras (1975-current). Chara, a three-time Timbers Players’ Player of the Year, has appeared in at least 27 matches in eight consecutive seasons.
In 2015, Chara made 28 regular-season appearances (28 starts) and played in four postseason matches to help lead the Timbers to their first MLS Cup championship, also helping lead Portland to a second MLS Cup appearance in 2018.
2019 MLS All-Star Roster
Goalkeepers: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC)^, Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)#
Defenders: Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls), Romain Metanire (Minnesota United FC), Leandro González Pírez (Atlanta United FC)^, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire), Walker Zimmerman (Los Angeles FC)^, Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)^
Midfielders: Ezequiel Barco (Atlanta United FC)^, Diego Chara (Portland Timbers), Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy)^, Mark-Anthony Kaye (Los Angeles FC), Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders FC), Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez (Atlanta United FC)^, Maxi Moralez (New York City FC), Nani (Orlando City SC)^, Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas)#, Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC), Diego Rossi (Los Angeles FC)
Forwards: Zlatan Ibrahimović (LA Galaxy – EA SPORTS™ “More Than a Vote” Challenge)^, Josef Martinez (Atlanta United FC), Wayne Rooney (D.C. United)^, Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)*, Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC)^
