How Do Sounders Stack Up in MLS All-Star Voting?
The MLS All-Star Game may not be the most popular among fans for its unusual place in international football culture, but it's an easy way for teams to get publicity for their highest-performing players.
Last season, now Atletico Madrid midfielder Obed Vargas was the only Seattle Sounder to make the squad. With the Sounders off to a much better start at 7-2-3 (4th in Western Conference) this time around, Seattle is generating buzz with one day of fan voting left before the July 29 All-Star Game in Charlotte.
This season, the Sounders are tied for the fewest goals allowed in league play (10), but are tied for the fifth-fewest scored (17). As such, solid offensive seasons for Paul Rothrock (5 G+A), Albert Rusnak (6 G+A) and Jesus Ferreira (5 G+A) simply don't stack up with the rest of a league that is oversaturated with ridiculous scoring lines this season. Instead, look for the pieces that are powering the elite defense performance to get some love in Charlotte.
Keeper Andrew Thomas, USMNT midfield prospect Cristian Roldan, center back Jackson Ragen, right back Alex Roldan and left back Nouhou were all top-five in fan voting at their respective positions as of May 18, according to MLS. The voting process will take fan, media and player votes into account for 11 of the players, while Charlotte coach Dean Smith will select 13 and MLS Commissioner Don Garber will pick the remaining two All-Stars.
Who’s punching their ticket to the MLS All-Star Game? 👀
Only three more days remaining to cast your vote: https://t.co/Wk1h2KGpFP pic.twitter.com/yjbd4YQKyj— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 18, 2026
With the deadline approaching and the game still two months away on account of the World Cup next month, let's review the cases for each of the top Seattle vote-getters.
All stats via fbref.com and fotmob.com unless otherwise specified.
Alex Roldan, RB
Right back is where he normally plays, but Sounders fans can appreciate the versatility of the lesser-known Roldan brother.
With injuries to Yeimar, Kim Kee-hee, Ryan Sailor and others at center back, Roldan has had to play practically the entire season at the position alongside fellow All-Star prospect Jackson Ragen. Roldan has done more than just hold up.
Fans are voting the 29-year-old Roldan in as a RB despite that, and his 76.5% aerial-duel win rate (per Sounders PR) and 8.6 defensive contributions per game (53rd, 7th among full backs). Add to the fact that his 60.3 accurate passes per 90 minutes rank second among all full backs, and you have a guy at center back that can consistently help push the ball down the field.
While the stats are certainly skewed by his play in the middle this season, Roldan has been one of the most consistent duelists for Seattle and provided stability with another All-Star-level talent in Yeimar being sidelined.
Cristian Roldan, DM
The more popular Roldan brother is certainly getting a boost because he's notably vying for a spot in the USMNT's midfield ahead of the World Cup, and is likely to get the spot with skipper Mauricio Pochettino describing him as a coach's dream at times.
The 30-year-old plays like it, as he was a top tackler in MLS last season and has been a solid duelist yet again. What goes unnoticed by many fans is how he links things up seamlessly. Like his brother, he's been one of the most productive passers at his position with 60.6 accurate passes per 90 minutes (12th among midfielders, 88.6% success rate).
Roldan has also gotten off to a solid start offensively, with three goals and three assists.
He's had multiple contributions come off set pieces, as the Sounders have been actively working at training to block other defenders from denying Roldan the ball on corners. The former volleyball player is an impact offensive piece who must be marked at all times, and his versatility, along with the World Cup boost, should land him on the All-Star team this season.
Nouhou, LB
Cameroonian defender Nouhou is the heart and soul of Sounders fandom.
If you watched Richard Sherman completely shut down one side of the field for the “Legion of Boom” Seahawks, you'll get a similar feeling watching teams try to switch the ball to the left side to get away from Nouhou. Teams often try to attack the smaller Kalani Kossa-Rienzi on the other side, and for that reason, you don't have many volume stats to bolster Nouhou's dueling case.
But the man rates 7.4 consistently on FotMob for a reason — he wins his duels and is never afraid to get into the offense when his number is called.
Per Sounders PR, Nouhou is fifth among MLS right backs in dribble progression and fourth in total touches. His magnum opus on the offensive end was the win over San Jose last week, when he delivered a cross that resulted in a handball and another that resulted in an Osaze De Rosario game-winner.
One more note, Nouhou has avoided a red card so far this season. His challenges and antics tend to cross the line a few times per season and drive head coach Brian Schmetzer and fans alike crazy, so it's worth praising his ability to stay on the pitch to keep his side clean in 2026.
Jackson Ragen, CB
Standing at an imposing 6-6, Jackson Ragen pops while watching any Sounders game.
The 27-year-old is fleet-footed for his size and leverages his frame for 0.7 blocks per 90 minutes. As Seattle's only dedicated center back on the pitch this season, he's been a vocal leader and has cleared 6.5 balls per 90 minutes (15th among center backs).
In terms of an eye test, Ragen makes up for being slower (on account of his size) by practically always being in the right spot. While he leaves something to be desired in scoring off corners with consistency, he plays his role nearly perfectly and is an iron man alongside Nouhou and Cristian Roldan on a top MLS defense.
Often overlooked on a cast of great Sounders defenders, Ragen has stood out with injuries to his group. With the Concacaf fixture congestion, he played at times when the team planned to rest him, showing a relentless drive to stay on the pitch.
If fans don't vote Ragen through, he's an appealing coach's pick.
Andrew Thomas, GK
After catching the attention of the entire league with his standout performance in Seattle's Leagues Cup run last season, Andrew Thomas finally beat out the legendary Stefan Frei for the starting keeper spot.
He's made Schmetzer and keepers coach Tommy Dutra look like geniuses, as his 79.2% save percentage leads all keepers who have played more than one MLS match. To Seattle's credit, Thomas has faced just 48 shots on target (T-23rd in MLS), but he's been just spectacular in staying ready for rare shots on frame.
Going against a certified star at keeper in San Jose's Daniel last week, Thomas looked like he belonged as each keeper made diving saves in a 3-2 thriller.
On the ground, Thomas has made this position his own. At Sounders training, there is never a voice louder than Thomas' directing his backline all day long. His passion for the position is clear and his ability to ignite a fanbase with his penalty-kick antics earns him the national appeal factor.
While it's just the first year starting for Thomas after first arriving in Tacoma in 2021, his notoriety from Leagues Cup and eye-popping stats early in 2026 should have him in Charlotte on July 29.
