July 18, 2011
NEW YORK - Former San Diego State men's soccer goalkeeper Tally Hall (Gig Harbor, Wash.) has been named a Major League Soccer All-Star, the league announced today. Hall joins LA Galaxy stars David Beckham and Landon Donovan, and New York Red Bulls standout Thierry Henry among the 22 all-stars confirmed on the gameday roster that will compete against Manchester United in the 2011 AT&T All-Star Game on July 27 at Red Bull Arena (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT on ESPN2) in Harrison, N.J.
MLS All-Star head coach Hans Backe of the Red Bulls selected the roster. Because of the competitive format - MLS vs. the World - of the All-Star game, MLS asked Backe to select from among all available players, and he constructed a dynamic, balanced roster loaded with the league's top talent.
"It's exciting be named to the MLS All-Star team," Hall said after learning his fate from his Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear following a training session this morning. "I'm in my fifth year as a pro and this was my first year as a starter. I've worked extremely hard and have tried to improve each day.
"Watching last year's All-Star Game as a fan was a great experience," Hall told the Dynamo's official website HoustonDynamo.com. "This year, it's surreal to have the opportunity to participate in the match, representing our league against one of the best clubs in the world."
This season, the Gig Harbor, Wash., native has posted a 1.15 goals against average, while playing all 1,800 minutes in net. Hall has been named to the MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week three times, most among goalkeepers, and has four shutouts, 60 saves and a 70.6 save percentage. Three other teammates - defender Corey Ashe, and midfielders Geoff Cameron and Brad Davis - also made the team for Houston, which are currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 24 points (5-6-9).
Hall was a standout for the Aztecs from 2003-06, earning All-America honors each of his final two seasons. A two-time Pac-10 first-team selection and NSCAA all-Far West honoree, Hall was named an Academic All-American in 2006 after his senior campaign. In 2005, Hall set program single-season records in shutouts (12) and goals against average (0.49) as SDSU made its first NCAA tournament appearance in 16 years.
"I still check up on San Diego State at least every Friday and Sunday during the season," Hall added. "It was special to be on the (2005-06) teams that made the (NCAA) tournament and defined success. I now look forward to the future of the Aztec program. The guys should expect to win 10 or more games and make the postseason every year."
Houston welcomes the Bolton Wanderers in the Dynamo Charities Cup on July 20 before continue its MLS schedule at Chivas USA in Los Angeles on July 23.