Major League Soccer today announced that Minnesota United captain and defender Francisco Calvo has been named to the MLS All-Star squad that will face Juventus in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target. Calvo is one of the 14 players selected by All-Star Head Coach, Gerardo “Tata” Martino. The match will take place at Atlanta United’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 1 at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN, UniMás, TSN and TVA Sports.
MNUFC vs. FC DALLAS TICKETS — JUNE 29
“We are really pleased for him and it shows the level of respect he has in the league,” said MNUFC Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I know from talking to other coaches in the league and around the world that he has a lot of admirers. We like the way that he plays, he is a really comfortable center back, really comfortable on the ball and great in the air in both boxes. It’s nice for the club to have a player on that stage; when you are selecting him for this game, it’s nice when they recognize him as one of the best players in the league.”
Calvo has played 39 matches for Minnesota United –– 37 as captain –– scoring twice and adding one assist since joining the team in December 2016. His nomination to the MLS All-Star squad arrives following his participation in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with the Costa Rica national team, where he started and played a full 90 minutes in a tough 1-0 defeat to Serbia and appeared off the bench in a 2-0 loss to Brazil for a total of 106 minutes played. Los Ticos drew their final group-stage match 2-2 against Switzerland to end their World Cup run.
The 2018 MLS All-Stars will face off against Juventus, the Italian giants who won their seventh consecutive Serie A title earlier this year. Juventus are the most decorated club in Italy, winning more Serie A and Coppa Italia titles than any other Italian club. Juventus also reached the UEFA Champions League final in two of the past four years (2015, 2017). The team is managed by Massimiliano Allegri, who just completed his fourth season with the club.
Tickets to the 2018 MLS All-Star Game against Juventus are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.
Minnesota United celebrates Pride at its next home match on Friday, June 29 at 7:00 p.m. against FC Dallas. With 14,500 season ticket holders for 2018, MNUFC has started a 2019 waiting list for season tickets at Allianz Field. Get on the list today with mini plans starting at five matches for this season, now available at MNUFC.COM or by calling 763.4SOCCER.
FULL ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan^ (Atlanta United), Zack Steffen* (Columbus Crew SC)
Defenders: Francisco Calvo* (Minnesota United), Laurent Ciman^ (Los Angeles Football Club), Alphonso Davies# (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Matt Hedges* (FC Dallas), Aaron Long* (New York Red Bulls), Michael Murillo* (New York Red Bulls), Michael Parkhurst^ (Atlanta United), Graham Zusi^ (Sporting Kansas City)
Midfielders: Miguel Almirón^ (Atlanta United), Ezequiel Barco^ (Atlanta United), Jonathan dos Santos* (LA Galaxy), Alberth Elis* (Houston Dynamo), Ignacio Piatti* (Montreal Impact), Alexander Ring* (New York City FC), Ilie Sanchez* (Sporting Kansas City), Diego Valeri^ (Portland Timbers), Yoshimar Yotún* (Orlando City SC), Wilfried Zahibo* (New England Revolution)
Forwards: Sebastian Giovinco* (Toronto FC), Zlatan Ibrahimović^ (LA Galaxy), Josef Martínez^ (Atlanta United), Carlos Vela^ (Los Angeles Football Club), David Villa* (New York City FC), Bradley Wright-Phillips# (New York Red Bulls)
^Fan XI selection
*Gerardo “Tata” Martino selection
#Commissioner Don Garber selection
