Didier Drogba, Andrea Pirlo, Kaka: MLS All-Stars set to face Arsenal

By James Kilpatrick

Image: Didier Drogba and Andrea Pirlo are in the MLS All-Stars squad

Imagine the proposition of taking on Didier Drogba, Andrea Pirlo, Kaka and David Villa. We pick the MLS All-Star line-up who could face Arsenal.

The MLS All-Stars will play last season's Premier League runners-up Arsenal in a friendly on Thursday (live coverage on Sky Sports 2 HD from 00.50am on Friday).

The squad was announced on July 17 with All-Star head coach, and San Jose Earthquakes boss, Dominic Kinnear choosing 24 of the 26 selected players.

League commissioner Don Garber was given two squad picks, and decided to opt for FC Dallas playmaker Mauro Diaz and Real Salt Lake stalwart Kyle Beckerman rather than the big names of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

Arsenal will face the best of MLS in the 2016 MLS All-Star Game on Thursday, July 28 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose

However, there are still plenty of great players on the roster. The question is, who will make the starting XI? Here, we pick what we think is the strongest line-up of those players named in the squad to face Arsenal...

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Andre Blake

Image: Andre Blake has been one of the league's standout goalkeepers

Andre Blake has earned rave reviews throughout the 2016 season for his dominant displays in goal for the impressive Philadelphia Union.

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A first round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, the Jamaica international was a substitute for the majority of his first professional season.

But one year on, Blake has gone on to become Philadelphia's undisputed starting choice in goal, making a number of highlight-reel worthy saves throughout the campaign.

Steve Birnbaum

Image: Birnbaum's performances in MLS has resulted in call-ups to the national team

Steve Birnbaum has been a regular in a D.C. United's defence throughout the season, and impressed enough to be called into Jurgen Klinsmann's USA squad for the Copa America.

The 25-year-old has attracted interest from Europe for his performances, and is regarded as one of the league's brightest defensive talents.

Laurent Ciman

Image: Laurent Ciman has played a vital role in Montreal Impact's backline

Since joining Montreal Impact during the 2015 season, Ciman is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the MLS and has been given the nod for the All-Star game for the second successive year.

The Belgium international has been an integral part of the Impact side, and was named MLS defender of the year in 2015.

Kendall Waston

Image: Kendall Waston is one of the league's most uncompromising centre backs

One of the most physically-imposing defenders around, standing at 6ft 5in, Waston has established himself as a no-nonsense centre back for Vancouver Whitecaps. The Costa Rica international was the club's Player of the Year last season and was nominated to the MLS Best XI.

Kaka

Image: Kaka is Orlando City's captain

The Brazil midfielder is the key playmaker for Orlando, having been the club captain since joining before their first ever MLS season in 2015.

Injuries have limited Kaka's number of appearances this season, playing and starting in just nine matches and scoring three goals.

However, the winner of the 2007 Ballon D'or has still impressed in the game's he has featured in, contributing five assists. That's just two fewer than his total in 2015.

Andrea Pirlo

Image: Andrea Pirlo has scored one goal during his time in MLS

Despite a rocky start, Pirlo looks to have finally settled down in a slightly more advanced midfield role with eight assists to his name in 2016 for New York City.

Playing alongside Frank Lampard and former Athletic Bilbao defender Andoni Iraola acting as the holding midfielder, Pirlo has been able to play with greater creativity. The Italian scored his first goal in MLS with a free-kick against Philadelphia Union on June 18.

Giovani dos Santos

Image: Giovani dos Santos is LA Galaxy's top scorer this season

Giovani dos Santos has been the most productive attacking player for LA Galaxy this season with seven goals and six assists. Only Steven Gerrard has more assists than Dos Santos with seven overall.

Dos Santos had his most successful period this season between the end of April and the start of May where he scored five goals in four matches.

Jermaine Jones

Image: USA international Jermaine Jones has enjoyed a good start to life with Colorado Rapids

Having joined Colorado from New England Revolution just days before this season starting, Jones had to begin with a six-match ban for his conduct towards a referee after being sent off in the knockout round of the play-offs against D.C United the previous season.

But his displays since then have helped take Colorado to a surprise second place in the Western Conference standings. The combative midfielder could be a strong defensive influence in what is sure to be an attack-heavy All-Stars team lining up against Arsenal.

Sebastian Giovinco

Image: Sebastian Giovinco scored a hat-trick against DC United on Saturday

Giovinco was in the midst of an eight-game goal drought, but ended the run with a hat-trick against D.C. United on Saturday night. The dry spell was surprising, considering last season he was the league's leader in goals and assists.

However, despite the mid-season slump, the 29-year-old is still enjoying a successful campaign. He has scored 11 goals and added seven assists in 19 matches. Recently, he won the ESPY award for best MLS player.

Didier Drogba

Image: Didier Drogba has quickly become a fan favourite in Montreal

Arsenal may be fearful of the former Chelsea talisman who boasts a record of 15 goals in 15 Premier League games against the Gunners.

And in MLS, Drogba has had an immense impact on the league having scored 19 goals in 23 appearances during the end of the 2015 campaign and the start of 2016. In his first 11 matches with the Impact, he scored 11 goals and most recently scored a hat-trick against Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.

David Villa

Image: David Villa is currently MLS' top goalscorer

Villa is currently the top goalscorer in MLS with 13 goals for New York City. The former Spain international predominantly operates as the lone striker in Patrick Vieira's 4-3-3 formation, and with an impressive support cast of Lampard, Pirlo and young Englishman Jack Harrison providing goal opportunities, Villa has every chance of beating his goal tally of 13 goals last season.

Notable Absentees

Bradley Wright-Phillips - Has scored 11 goals this season but they have come in patches. Wright-Phillips started the season with a seven-game goal drought.

Robbie Keane - Struggled for minutes this season after battling injury and being part of Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 squad, but still has six goals in nine matches.

Image: Frank Lampard has been in strong form for New York City in recent weeks

Frank Lampard - Did not start his first league game this season until June 16 because of injury, but now has an impressive five goals in his last seven matches.  

Steven Gerrard - Has three goals and seven assists in 14 games played this season.

Watch the MLS All-Star team v Arsenal in a live Major League Soccer special on Sky Sports 2 HD from 00.50am on Friday.

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