It’s an exciting morning in Los Angeles, especially for a pair of LAFC players. Forward Denis Bouanga and Defender Ryan Hollingshead were both named to the 2023 MLS All-Star Roster. The MLS squad will take on Premiere League runner-ups, Arsenal, when festivities kickoff in a couple weeks from D.C.
⭐️ @BouangaDenis and @rmhollingshead are heading to DC.
Congrats to our 2023 @MLS All-Stars! 👏
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 27, 2023
Denis Bouanga, 28, has put the league on notice this season with 11 goals and two assists across 16 games this season. His 11 goals are the second-most in MLS in 2023, behind only Hany Mukhtar (13). Bouanga has received several honors for his incredible first full season with LAFC, being named to MLS Team of the Matchday five times, coming away with Player of the Match day honors for Match day 7.
Ryan Hollingshead, 32, earns his first ever All-Star selection in 2023, as he has one goal and one assist through 17 games this season, helping LAFC to a Concacaf Champions League final berth. An MLS veteran, Hollingshead will make his first trip to the All-Star game after scoring 25 career goals and adding 17 assists in 240 career matches across 10 seasons. His 25 regular season goals is currently the second most goals scored by an MLS defender from 2010 – 2023, behind only Graham Zusi (30 goals).
The 2023 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target will be played on Wednesday, July 19, and feature the MLS All-Stars taking on Arsenal FC, the renowned 13-time English league champions, at Audi Field, home of D.C. United. The roster was selected through a combination of fan, player, and media voting (12 players), designations by All-Star head coach Wayne Rooney of host club D.C. United (12 players), and a pair of selections by MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
Congratulations to the two players on their selections. Leave a comment below to wish them well!