Steve Beitashour was named to the MLS All-Star First XI.

July 10, 2012

SAN DIEGO - Former San Diego State men's soccer standout Steve Beitashour was named to the 2012 MLS All-Star Game roster earlier this week. He is a part of the league's First XI, which was decided by a fan vote, and his side will face reigning European champions Chelsea on July 25 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.

A third-year pro for the San Jose Earthquakes, Beitashour (San Jose, Calif.) has emerged as one of the top right backs in MLS. This year, he has helped lead the Earthquakes to the league's best record (11-4-4), contributing six assists in 19 games, which is the fourth-best total in the MLS. Selected in the second round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, Beitashour led the Quakes with seven assists in 2011. This is his first MLS All-Star selection.

Beitashour's all-star appointment marks the second straight year in which an Aztec has made the MLS All-Star Team. In 2011, former SDSU goalkeeper Tally Hall was a part of the all-star festivities as a member of the Houston Dynamo.

Beitashour is joined by Landon Donovan and David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy as well as New York Red Bulls star Thierry Henry on the team's First XI.

The First XI received the most votes at their respective positions from combined fan voting on three platforms - online at MLSsoccer.com, via text message and via Twitter. The ballot consisted of six players from each club, as chosen by a panel of media members.

The First XI will not necessarily be the starting lineup for the All-Stars when they take on Chelsea. D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen will select the starters based on player availability and tactical considerations.

Beitashour, the No. 30 selection in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, represents the highest draft pick in San Diego State men's soccer history. The Leland High grad garnered honorable mention all-Pac-10 accolades in 2009, becoming one of the top 1-v-1 defenders in the conference in the process. He also added a career-high tying three assists that season. Over his career, Beitashour had eight points, all coming on assists, and 33 shot attempts. Beitashour also shined in the classroom after being named to the 2009 Pac-10 All-Academic Team as an honorable mention selection.

Beitashour and the Earthquakes have three more games before the all-star break, the first of which is set for July 14 when they play host to Real Salt Lake.