In his first season in Major League Soccer, Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon has been selected as one of 22 MLS All-Stars.
The Colombian captain, who transferred from a Germany's FC Koln before this season, currently ranks third in the league with a 0.84 goals against average. Behind Mondragon, the Eastern Conference-leading Union have posted seven shutouts in 19 games thus far.
Mondragon was the lone Union player selected by All-Star coach Hans Backe of the New York Red Bulls. Backe chose all eight of the players, picked by fans, who were available for the game.
A league-high four Houston players were named to the team, including Tally Hall, the other goalie on the roster. Former USA goalkeeper Kasey Keller will be unavaiable because he has a CONCACAF Champions League game that week.
Led by the the Red Bulls' Thierry Henry and the Galaxy's Landon Donovan and David Beckham, the MLS All-Stars will take on English Premier League powerhouse Manchester United on July 27 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.
The All-Star nod is the latest honor in a productive career for Mondragon. He has been capped 50 times by the Colombian national team, including appearances in the 1992 Summer Olympics and 1998 FIFA World Cup.
As a pro, he has played for clubs in Colombia, Argentina, Spain, France and Turkey.
