Aidan Morris, Lucas Zelarayan will represent Crew at MLS All-Star Game next month
Midfielders Aidan Morris and Lucas Zelarayan will represent the Crew at the MLS All-Star Game next month.
The All-Star rosters were announced Tuesday afternoon.
Morris will be making his All-Star Game debut. He was among 12 players selected in voting by fans, players and media. Zelarayan earned All-Star honors in 2021. He was among the 12 players selected by D.C. United coach Wayne Rooney.
The All-Star Game will be played July 19 in Washington, D.C.
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The 21-year-old Morris is a homegrown player and Crew Academy product. He has three goals and three assists in 18 games this season. His 92.1% passing completion percentage is among the best in the MLS. He also is on the United States team participating in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
“It’s an honor to be an MLS All-Star for the first time, but I still have a lot more work to do to accomplish my goals, most importantly winning as a team and bringing championships to our city,” Morris said in a statement released by the Crew. “The Crew have believed in me from the beginning and continue to help me improve, and I’ll always be thankful for the club’s and my teammates’ support, as well as the fans. I look forward to representing our club in D.C. and finishing this season strong.”
Zelarayan, 31, is one of only five MLS players with at least eight goals and seven assists this season. The Argentinian ranks third in game-winning goals with four and is tied for second in game-winning assists with three in 16 starts. One of his game-winners came on a shot from beyond midfield that gave Columbus a 2-1 win over Chicago earlier this month.
Zelarayan recently returned from international play for Armenia.
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“It is great to be an MLS All-Star again this year, but I’m always focused on the team," Zelarayan said. "I couldn’t do it without them. Whether it’s goals or assists, I just want to help us win. For me, it’s special to represent the Crew and also my fellow Latin American players on this stage. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, the entire club and the fans for their support.”
Morris and Zelarayan are the 26th and 27th Crew players to be selected for an MLS All-Star Game.
“Aidan and Lucas earned their place on the MLS All-Star team this year based on their hard work and commitment to the club on and off the pitch,” Crew president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko said. “Everyone has embraced our desired style of play under Wilfried Nancy, and that buy-in ultimately leads to team and individual success.
"Both players have continued to develop this year in our system due to their team-first mindset, and we are excited about their opportunity to showcase their talents during the league’s week-long celebration of soccer.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Morris, Zelarayan to represent Crew at MLS All-Star Game next month
