COMMERCE CITY — Rapids midfielder Sam Cronin was one of five players named to the MLS All-Star team Tuesday because of the withdrawal of five previously named players due to injury.
Tuesday’s withdrawals included Michael Bradley, the captain of the U.S. national team, who plays for Toronto FC. Others were Steven Gerrard (Los Angeles), Robbie Keane (Los Angeles) and Chris Tierney (New England). Last weekend the league announced the withdrawal of Frank Lampard (New York City FC).
Named as replacements along with Cronin were Ethan Finley (Columbus), Waylon Francis (Columbus), Juninho (Los Angeles) and Gyasi Zardes (Los Angeles).
Cronin got the news Tuesday morning. He trained with the Rapids, who host Los Angeles Saturday night, and then joined his All-Star teammates for a light workout at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park where the MLS All-Stars will play Tottenham Hotspur Wednesday.
“Obviously we’ve got some great players around here and quality opponents,” Cronin said. “It will be a fun experience. Happy to be part of it.”
This is Cronin’s first All-Star team selection, and he is the second Rapids player to be named, along with defender Drew Moor.
Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni, who made the selections and will coach the MLS team in Wednesday’s game, has leaned heavily on Cronin this season for veteran leadership. A seven-year MLS veteran, Cronin played five seasons with San Jose before joining the Rapids via trade this season.
The Rapids were 2-9-6 before winning their past three games.
“Obviously we’ve had enormous turnover from last season to this season,” Cronin said. “We’ve been trying to get on the same page. I think it’s taken us a little longer than we would have hoped and have thought, but it’s all part of the process. The league is a really strong, competitive league and you have to earn everything you get. We’re starting to see the fruits of all the hard work we’ve put in. We’re on a good run here, and looking for a good win this weekend against LA.”
The MLS All-Stars have lost some big star power in the days since the team was named. Keane, the all-time leading scorer for the Irish national team, has been with the Galaxy since 2011. Gerrard was a legend for Liverpool before joining Los Angeles this month. Lampard is Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer and joined NYCFC this month.
John Meyer: jmeyer@denverpost.com or twitter.com/johnmeyer
