This year when the MLS All Star fan voting started, I did the usual: I asked friends and family to vote for Justin, sent them the link, log in every morning to vote and left it at that. The reality is that no matter how amazing of a year Justin has or how many goals he scores as a defender, the chances of him getting selected by fan voting is minimal. He knows it, I know it, everyone knows it. It’s ok to be honest and tell it how it is at the end of the day, unless you follow the sport religiously, watch all the games in the league, live and breathe soccer you probably don’t really know how awesome he is. Also, unless you are super close to us, or a fly on the wall of our home, you probably didn’t know that he’s even more awesome as a friend, a husband and dad.

Recently, we found out Justin is going to be away for a month with the USMNT. We are so proud and excited for him, but this also means we’re going to be missing someone who goes above and beyond to make sure our lives run smoothly on a daily basis. Justin is the glue that holds everything together, luckily he’s good at keeping us together even when he’s gone. Truth be told, I knew he was an All Star way before professional soccer.

Soccer and sports aside this is why he’s my All Star:

• He cares about family, friends, and his community.

• He’s always thinking of new ways to get involved in the community, help those in need, and how to make a difference - finding the time for it is another story

• He’s quiet, but he often challenges himself to speak up when he sees injustice

• He’s quiet, but he makes an effort to speak a lot at home because he knows I’m not into silence

• He goes to the grocery store, because he knows it’s my least favourite chore

• He likes cooking and accepts the role of default cook at home because I’m usually exhausted at the end of the day

• He loves food - I love food

• He shares my love of the city and is always down for finding new

• He stocks up the pantry, fridge, and freezer with home cooked meals so I don’t have to stress about it when he’s away

• He wakes up early with Chiara so I can get to the gym

• He encourages me to go the gym when I don’t want to, even if for a stretch, because he knows it gives me energy and I’ll regret not going

• He genuinely tries to understand my interests and gives them a try

• He does not make me watch american football because he knows I can’t stand it

• He sometimes watches sporting events on mute because he knows I can't stand the commentators, but would rather sit next to him than go into a separate room

• He warns me to stay later at work or suggests I go shopping because he picked up our kid from daycare and she’s cranky

• He texts with my family and friends back in South America, because he knows I’m not the best at staying in touch

• He practices Spanish because he genuinely wants to have stronger relationships with my friends and family

• He encourages me to put myself first and never takes me for granted

• He keeps Chiara and I happy, healthy, and alive. Which isn’t always easy

• He tries to minimize the impact of his crazy life on our lives

• He puts family first because just like me he believes family is everything, family above all

To some, these things might not seem like a big deal, but to us they mean the world. For most of the people Justin is a potential All Star in the world of FIFA and Major League Soccer, but to us he’s an All Star on the field and off the field, in our community, and above all at home.

Whether he’s in Chicago this upcoming July or not, we’re proud of everything he is! To us, he’ll always be an All Star.