Earthquakes’ Cristian Espinoza selected to MLS All-Star team

San Jose Earthquakes’ Cristian Espinoza (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against Los Angeles FC in the first half at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

Cristian Espinoza’s stellar season has earned the forward a spot on Major League Soccer’s All-Star team.

The Argentine forward will be one of 26 MLS players suiting up in the 2023 MLS All-Star Game, where the league’s top players will take on Premier League power Arsenal.

Espinoza, 28, has already scored a career-high eight goals and added six assists so far for the Earthquakes. He was chosen as the MLS Player of the Month in April when he scored five goals and added an assist.

His strong start has been a key piece of San Jose’s early season success. Through 20 matches, the Quakes have earned 27 points (seven wins, six draws, seven losses), putting them in fifth place in the Western Conference. San Jose hasn’t finished a season with a winning record since 2013

Espinoza is just the third Earthquake to make the MLS All-Star team in the last six seasons. Midfielder Cade Cowell was chosen as an All-Star in 2021 and Quakes legend Chris Wondolowski received his fifth and final nod in 2019.