Shalrie Joseph and the MLS All-Star Game

As the MLS world prepares for the 9th annual MLS-Allstar game against the champions of England, Manchester United, we thought we'd provide you with some brief bullet points on our New England Revolution representative and mighty captain, Shalrie Joseph:

• Shalrie is the fifth oldest player selected for Hans Backe’s 23-man roster (3^rd oldest if you exclude keepers Kasey Keller and Faryd Mondragon; He’s right behind DP megastars David Beckham and Thierry Henry). So, much like his role with our beloved Revs, Shalrie will be bringing his wisdom and experience to a team that is peppered with a number of newer and younger faces in MLS.
• Along those lines, with the help of Shalrie and Beckham (along with veteran midfielders Kyle Beckerman, Jack Jewsbury, and Brad Davis), this All-Star squad's midfield has an average age of 30(.5). Chivas USA’s Nick LaBrocca is the youngest at 26. This means that Backe will most likely be planning on (or hoping for) an experienced and strong midfield that will execute good passing and help the younger defensive side of the pitch (who sport an average age of 25(.9)). Age ain’t nothing but a number, right?
• Joseph started and played the entirety of the MLS All-Star game in 2008 against the now freshly relegated English side West Ham United. The MLS All-Stars won that game 3-2. He was also on the All-Star squad in 2009 against Everton FC, which the MLS side lost on penalty kicks 4-3, as well as last year’s All-Star game against Manchester United with fellow Rev Kevin Alston. The All-Stars lost 5-2. Basically, Shalrie is no stranger to this annual event.
• Additionally, Joseph is no stranger to this current Manchester United squad either. The Revolution played the Red Devils earlier this month back home at Gillette Stadium. The Revs lost 4-1.
• This match will be played at Red Bull Arena, home of Revolution rival club New York Red Bulls, located in Harrison, New Jersey. Having grown up in Brooklyn, NY, this game will be somewhat of a homecoming for Shalrie where friends and family will get an opportunity to see the 6’3" Grenadian play against one of the world’s most storied clubs alongside the best that MLS has to offer (arguably); that is of course if they are lucky enough to be attending.
• Shalrie is going into the game with 6 goals on the year, the same as Sporting Kansas City forward Omar Bravo, 2 goals shy of San Jose’s forward Chris Wondolowski, and 5 shy of Henry. Nick LaBrocca is also going into this match with 6 goals on the 2011 season, making the two midfielders and Bravo tied for the 3^rd highest scorers on the roster (fourth if you include Landon Donovan at 9 goals, who was recently reported to not be participating in the match due to a calf injury).  So, while it is not exactly likely that we will see a Shalrie Joseph goal on Wednesday night, I can imagine him getting involved in some of the attacking action if the All-Stars are able to move the ball up  the field against United.

Give 'em hell, Shalrie..

The 2011 MLS All-Star Game will air Wednesday night at 8:30pm EST on ESPN2.