Valdes, Union try to hide disappointment at all-star snub

Union defender Carlos Valdes is improving his English and knows enough to be diplomatic when the difficult questions are asked.

When asked about his omission from the Major League Soccer all-star team, Valdes clearly understood the question but didn't want to create any waves.

"I came here to play at a high level, and that is what I have tried to do," he said in the locker room following Wednesday's 1-0 win over the English Premier League team Everton in a friendly at a sold-out PPL Park in Chester.

That was his way of saying that he has done his part, which has certainly been the case.

The Union will have one representative in Wednesday's all-star game between the MLS and Manchester United at Red Bull Arena - goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon.

Everybody on the Union, especially Valdes, was ecstatic that Mondragon will represent the team. In fact, Mondragon, who speaks several languages, has made the transition easier for Valdes, who, like his keeper, is from Colombia.

Yet as much joy among the team as there is for Mondragon, there is disappointment at Valdes' omission.

The Union, who went 8-15-7 last year, are already 8-4-7 this season and are in first place in the Eastern Conference. They have allowed 16 goals, tied for second-fewest in MLS with the Los Angeles Galaxy, behind only Real Salt Lake, which has surrendered 12.

It can be argued that Valdes has been the team's best player over the first half of the season. There is no question that the additions of Valdes and Mondragon have turned the Union into what should be a serious MLS playoff contender.

Valdes isn't flashy, but the 26-year-old central defender is fundamentally sound and always seems to be in the right position.

It's interesting that nobody on the Union wanted to say a whole lot about Valdes' exclusion, but the dour looks told the entire story.

"I don't want to go there," team manager Peter Nowak replied when asked about Valdes' exclusion from the 23-member team. Moments later, Nowak tried to keep things light by saying, "I think the whole team deserves to go [to the All-Star Game]."

When it was mentioned that Union defender Danny Califf should have been a serious candidate, Valdes said, "Yes and maybe [defender] Sheanon Williams, too."

Even Califf, when asked about the Union's having just one all-star, bit his tongue - sort of.

"There is always some selection that makes you scratch your head," Califf said. "At the end of the day those are the all-stars and represent us in the league, and you want them to do well. Faryd definitely deserves it, deserves the chance to represent MLS against Manchester United."

So there is no bulletin board material from the Union. They showed their fellow all-stars respect while quietly seething that Valdes didn't earn similar treatment.