Five Star Players Shockingly Left Out of 2025 MLS All-Star Game Selection
Following the conclusion of fan voting involving thousands of supporters, the 2025 MLS All-Star Game squad was revealed on Wednesday, showcasing 26 talented players from throughout the league.
Fan selections accounted for 12 players, while Austin FC and MLS All-Star head coach Nico Estévez personally selected another 12, with MLS Commissioner Don Garber making the final two choices. Despite this comprehensive selection process, numerous talented players failed to secure spots on the roster.
Although this squad aims to defeat the Liga MX All-Stars in both the MLS Skills Competition on July 22 and the MLS All-Star Game on July 23 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, they'll compete without several of MLS's finest talents who couldn't earn selection.
Here are Sports Illustrated's five most notable omissions from this year's MLS All-Star Game squad.
5. Sean Johnson (Toronto FC)
Toronto FC hasn't performed well during Sean Johnson's time with the club since his 2023 arrival. Nevertheless, he's been instrumental in preventing much worse outcomes, especially throughout the 2025 campaign.
Currently, Johnson tops MLS in post-shot expected goals saved with a +6.6 rating, showcasing his capability to deny more opportunities than typical goalkeepers given the caliber and volume of shots he faces. His 73 percent save rate places him 10th in MLS, despite Toronto FC consistently allowing numerous scoring chances.
However, at 36 years of age, Johnson likely welcomes the break rather than participating in the three-goalkeeper arrangement for a single match.
4. Kèvin Denkey (FC Cincinnati)
A debut season player who arrived as the league's second-most costly acquisition. Kévin Denkey's absence from the MLS All-Star Game roster seems puzzling, considering the excitement around his signing and his impressive start with FC Cincinnati.
While the striker competition is fierce and Sam Surridge might be considered a more significant oversight, Denkey has established himself as one of MLS's premier attackers this season, netting 11 goals in merely 1,409 minutes.
Including him in the All-Star Game would have also capitalized on his chemistry with attacking midfielder Evander, potentially helping restore their effectiveness after managing only one goal against Liga MX last season.
3. Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)
Defensive players always present challenges for MLS All-Star Game selection. Nevertheless, Philadelphia Union fullback Kai Wagner has remained an exceptional performer and previously received All-Star recognition in 2021 and 2022.
This campaign, he has flourished under new head coach Bradley Carnell, following his most successful MLS seasons under former Union manager Jim Curtin. Across 16 matches, he's contributed one goal and seven assists, establishing himself as the most productive defender in terms of offensive output.
Despite the quality of selected defenders, Wagner's omission, particularly considering some of Estévez's Coach's Picks, remains puzzling.
2. Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes)
While Cristian Espinoza's four goals and six assists may not appear spectacular statistically, his performances for a revitalized San Jose Earthquakes squad could have merited inclusion, especially given his league-leading 57 chances created.
Beyond his creative contributions, he leads MLS with 55 key passes, highlighting his ability to retain possession and facilitate transitions to forwards Josef Martinez and Chicho Arango, who despite their inconsistencies, have shown moments of brilliance this season.
However, considering San Jose's current eighth-place position in the Western Conference, his roster exclusion becomes more understandable.
1. Sam Surridge (Nashville SC)
Under debut head coach B.J. Callaghan, Sam Surridge is experiencing one of MLS's finest individual seasons. Partnering effectively with 2023 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar, the English forward has become the clinical finisher Nashville envisioned when signing him in 2023.
Surridge has netted 12 goals across 18 appearances, equaling his total from 28 matches last season, and sits just one goal behind MLS Golden Boot leader Tai Baribo. His 106 touches in the attacking penalty area lead the league, while his 112 duels won top all strikers.
Additionally, his 14 goal contributions rank third league-wide, trailing only selected players Anders Dreyer and Lionel Messi. Despite the exceptional depth at the striker position, Surridge represents the most obvious exclusion from the 2025 MLS All-Star Game roster.