Photo: Jeffery A. Camarati
By Sean McGuffin – @SeanMCG704
The 2026 MLS All-Star Game is rapidly approaching. The top stars of MLS will face the best of Liga MX on July 29. The players will not only represent America’s top-flight league and professional soccer clubs but also a plethora of the nation’s top college soccer programs.
These are the former college players who are in the top 5 at their position based on initial fan, player, and media voting:
Andrew Thomas – GK – Stanford Cardinal
Andrew Thomas of the Seattle Sounders is a possible goalkeeper for MLS in the coming All-Star game. Thomas has been a reliable keeper for Seattle since his debut with the club in 2024. Thomas has spent his career on the West Coast, making his name at Stanford University. With the Cardinal, he won three Pac-12 Championships and recorded 23 shutouts. He also earned three All-Pac-12 team honors during his time at Stanford.
Brad Stuver – GK – Cleveland State Vikings
Brad Stuver is an MLS veteran, playing keeper for four different teams and 11 seasons in the league, making his name at Cleveland State University in the Horizon League. From 2009 to 2012, Stuver made 293 saves with 20 career shutouts as a Viking. Stuver currently leads MLS goalkeeping in saves with 75 shots saved this year, along with four clean sheets.
Brian Schwake – GK – DePaul Blue Demons
Nashville SC is not only dominating MLS, but North America as a whole in their recent performances in the regular season and Champions Cup. One major element of the recent success comes from goalkeeper Brian Schwake. An Illinois native, Schwake joined the DePaul Blue Demons for his freshman year. Schwake’s time with DePaul was mostly unremarkable, as he would leave for Europe after his freshman year. Schwake has been impressive this season in Nashville, with six clean sheets, and could very well represent the entire league in July.
Matt Turner – GK – Fairfield Stags
Matt Turner is one of the more famous names in American soccer, from appearances in the Premier League to playing keeper for the United States in the World Cup. However, Turner is no stranger to representing MLS in the All-Star Game. But before the All-Star nods and World Cup starts, Turner honed his skills at Fairfield University. From 2012 to 2015, Turner recorded 39 appearances with 21 clean sheets as a Stag. As a junior, he led the nation in save percentage at 80%. Turner’s legendary career may bring him to the Bank as a keeper for the MLS team.
Anthony Markanich – LB – Northern Illinois Huskies
Minnesota United’s Anthony Markanich is already well experienced in MLS, playing for Colorado, St Louis, and Minnesota since his debut in 2022. Before his debut, Markanich played in his native state of Illinois as an NIU Huskie. Playing all four years in DeKalb, Markanich started 67 matches and tied for second in school assists with 24. Markanich earned All-MAC honors three of his four years and has gone down as an all-time great soccer player for the University.
Ryan Hollingshead – LB – UCLA Bruins
Ryan Hollingshead boasts over a decade of experience in MLS. Making his debut for Dallas before returning to Southern California with LAFC in 2022. Los Angeles was already very familiar with Hollingshead as he played four years at UCLA before his MLS debut. An outstanding defensive player for the Bruins, Hollingshead finished his time in blue and gold with 16 goals and 21 assists.
Daniel Munie – CB – Indiana Hoosiers
The 10th overall pick in the 2023 Superdraft, Daniel Munie, has proven to be a valuable asset to the San Jose Quakes. Before his time in the Bay Area, Munie made 79 appearances for the Indiana Hoosiers. Munie would win the Big 10 with the Hoosiers three times, as well as being the first Hoosier to go back-to-back as conference defenseman of the year in 2021 and 2022. Even with his raw talent at defense, Munie managed to record eight goals and five assists during his time with the Hoosiers.
Jackson Ragen – CB – Michigan Wolverines
Staying in the Big 10, Defender Jackson Ragen has been a staple of the Seattle Sounders backline since 2022. Playing four seasons in Ann Arbor, Ragen made 58 appearances for the Wolverines, recording five goals and five assists, respectively. His Senior season would be 2020, in which he would earn the Big 10 defensive player of the year. He very well may share the backline with his former Big 10 rival, Daniel Munie.
Tristan Blackmon – CB – Pacific Tigers
From the Great Lakes to the Pacific Ocean, Tristan Blackmon was drafted third overall by LAFC before playing at his current club, the Vancouver Whitecaps. At the University of the Pacific, Blackmon played 70 matches, starting 68. Splitting time between playing defender and forward, Blackmon recorded an impressive 16 goals over his collegiate career. His versatility made him professional material, and his current form shows All-Star potential.
Alex Roldan – RB – Seattle Redhawks
A true hometown hero, Alex Roldan made his name playing for the Seattle Redhawks before starting his professional career as a Seattle Sounder. Arriving in the Emerald City in 2014, Roldan played at the University until 2017. Starting all 82 of his appearances, Roldan scored 18 goals and 17 assists as a Redhawk. His Senior year was especially impressive, making the All-WAC season team. Roldan can bring his skills from the Emerald City to the Queen City for this years All Star game.
DeAndre Yedlin – RB – Akron Zips
Seattle native DeAndre Yedlin has an extensive resume with both American and European Clubs. Playing his college career in Akron with the Zips. Yedlin would only spend two years in Akron, but he made his seasons count. His Freshman year, Yedlin would make the College Soccer News all-freshman team, following that with an All-MAC team appearance in his Sophomore season. Yedlin is no stranger to the All-Star game, earning a nod in his rookie year. Now with Real Salt Lake, Yedlin is expected to take the pitch in Charlotte to once again represent MLS.
Cristian Roldan – MF – Washington Huskies
From one USMNT player to another, Cristian Roldan has spent his entire professional career with the Seattle Sounders, becoming a league and club legend in the process. His collegiate career would also take place in Jet City, playing for the Washington Huskies. In only two seasons with Washington, Roldan recorded 41 appearances and 10 goals. His form earned him the 2013 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. The MLS veteran is a safe bet to make the All-Star team this August.
Sebastian Berhalter – MF – North Carolina Tar Heels
Before his breakout debuts for the Vancouver Whitecaps and US Men’s National Team, Sebastian Berhalter (pictured above) played a season in Chapel Hill, playing 19 matches for the Tar Heels. He would play a mostly unremarkable season for UNC-Chapel Hill before signing a pro contract with the Columbus Crew. His pro performances have shown All-Star potential, as Berhalter will attempt to earn his second All-Star appearance in a row.
