Union’s José Andrés Martínez named MLS All-Star; will represent team in D.C.

Union midfielder José Andrés Martínez, long one of the team’s most underrated players, is finally getting his due.

The 28-year-old Venezuelan has earned a trip to this year’s MLS All-Star Game, as part of a 26-player squad that will face English power Arsenal on July 19 at D.C. United’s Audi Field.

Martínez was informed Tuesday at practice by Union manager Jim Curtin, who gathered his team together to make the announcement. As he finished speaking, Martínez’s wife, Carolina, and their newborn baby, Jack, walked onto the field, with the latter wearing a tiny Union jersey bearing “ALL-STAR 8,” Martínez’s number, on the back.

He also was shown a video with congratulatory messages from family and friends in Venezuela.

» READ MORE: José Andrés Martínez got a new contract from the Union earlier this month

Voting concluded on June 14, a week before Martínez’s viral blast of a goal from 35 yards in Orlando. That it didn’t take the social media spotlight for him to get the honor is a sign that he’s finally getting the praise he deserves. Not only is he a tenacious tackler, but he is elite at winning the ball and passing it forward quickly to start attacks.

“Hopefully we have a couple more of these meetings this week, because I know we have a lot of players that are deserving of accolades,” Curtin said. “When the team has success, the individual awards and honors start to come.”

» READ MORE: José Andrés Martínez’s first goal for the Union is one to remember forever

But it ruffled some feathers in Chester that Martínez is the Union’s only All-Star this year. Voters passed over Andre Blake, a four-time All-Star and three-time Goalkeeper of the Year; and Kai Wagner, a two-time All-Star and team of the season honoree last year at left back. Julián Carranza was also passed over at striker, even though he had nine goals and four assists in league play when voting closed.

Twelve players were picked by a vote of fans, media, and players; 12 more by D.C. manager Wayne Rooney, a former star for Manchester United, Everton, D.C., and England; and two by MLS commissioner Don Garber.

Martínez was one of Rooney’s picks. Columbus’ Aidan Morris, a U.S. national team rising star, won the popular vote.

» READ MORE: Andre Blake’s key role for the Union should never be overlooked

Blake was beaten in the popular vote by St. Louis City’s Roman Bürki, the starting netminder for the expansion team in a longtime soccer hotbed. Rooney’s goalkeepers were New England’s Djordje Petrović and D.C.’s Tyler Miller, a hometown shout-out. (Albeit with a Philly connection, as Miller is from Woodbury, Gloucester County.)

Wagner was beaten in the popular vote by FC Cincinnati’s Álvaro Barreal. Rooney’s pick went to the New York Red Bulls’ high-profile American prospect John Tolkin.

The lack of other Union players points to an uncomfortable truth about the team’s success on and off the field in recent years. While the team draws big crowds on Saturday nights, including a regular-season record 19,535 this past weekend vs. Miami, filling seats doesn’t equate to growing a core fan base.

St. Louis, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Seattle may be smaller cities, but their soccer teams have bigger core fan bases than the Union’s. That translated into more votes for their players.

» READ MORE: Rising star Julián Carranza continues to be the Union’s gain and Inter Miami’s loss

MLS All-Star Team

Fan, media, and player picks (12)

Goalkeeper: Roman Bürki (St. Louis City SC)

Defenders: Álvaro Barreal (FC Cincinnati), Jon Gallagher (Austin FC), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)

Midfielders: Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati), Thiago Almada (Atlanta United), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)

Forwards: Dénis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders)

Manager Wayne Rooney’s picks (12)

Goalkeepers: Tyler Miller (D.C. United), Djordje Petrović (New England Revolution)

Defenders: Ryan Hollingshead (Los Angeles FC), Tim Parker (St. Louis City SC), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls)

Midfielders: Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo), José Andrés Martínez (Union), Riqui Puig (Los Angeles Galaxy), Lucas Zelarayán (Columbus Crew)

Forwards: Christian Benteke (D.C. United), Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes), Giorgos Giakoumakis (Atlanta United)

Commissioner Don Garber’s picks (2)

Midfielder: Mathieu Choinière (CF Montreal)

Forward: Kei Kamara (Chicago Fire)