Andy Najar named to 2025 MLS All-Star team

NASHVILLE, TN - On Wednesday, Nashville SC defender Andy Najar was named to the 2025 MLS All-Star roster. It's his first-ever MLS All-Star selection.

Najar joined Nashville on a one-year deal ahead of the 2025 season, with a club option for 2026. The 31-year-old has been one of the best fullbacks in MLS. With a goal and seven assists, the Honduran World Cup veteran is tied with Griffin Dorsey (Houston Dynamo), Andrew Gutman (Chicago Fire) and Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) for the most goal contributions by a defender in MLS play this season.

“Being selected for the MLS All-Star team is a motivation for me to keep working, to keep doing things the same way; otherwise, this wouldn't have been possible,” Najar said in a statement. “First, I want to thank God, my family, my teammates, the coaching staff, and the medical team, who I believe have also been part of these six months of my time here with the team. Being able to play in that match and represent Nashville SC is a joy and a happiness for me, and I hope to continue doing things the same way.” 

Najar is the third Nashville SC player to earn a selection to the MLS All-Star team and the seventh time Nashville have had an inclusion. He joins Hany Mukhtar (2022-2024) and Walker Zimmerman (2021-2023) among Nashville selections. His call-up also means that Nashville have had a representative on the MLS All-Star team every year since joining the league in 2020 (due to the Covid-19 pandemic, an All-Star match was not held in 2020).

“Andy’s All-Star selection is a great moment for him, his family, our team, and Nashville Soccer Club, and it is one that he deserves,” Nashville head coach BJ Callaghan shared via a club statement. “The individual honor is reflective of our culture that puts team before self, how we play for each other, and knowing that together we are better. It is also reflective of the relentless work Andy puts in everyday—being consistent, coachable, and committed to doing all the right things on and off the field. We are proud of what this team is building, and we are proud of Andy. It is awesome to see that he has been recognized as an MLS All-Star.”  

Najar began his professional career with DC United as a homegrown signing, the second-ever player to graduate from DC's academy to the first team. As a 17-year-old, he won the MLS Rookie of the Year award in his first professional season.

After four seasons with DC, Najar went to Europe, where he spent seven years with Anderlecht in the Belgian top flight, playing in the UEFA Champions League, the highest level of club football in the world.

Najar returned to MLS in 2020, playing with Los Angeles FC for a season and then returning to DC United from 2021-2023. After a one-year stint with CD Olimpia in Honduras's top flight, Najar signed with Nashville in the winter transfer window as a key building block for their "Nashville 2.0" rebuild.

Additionally, Najar has represented Honduras 59 times at the international level, including making two appearances at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“Andy is the modern fullback and has the ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball,” said Mike Jacobs. “He fits our game model so well, has played a key role in our club’s success this season, and is tremendously deserving of his first All-Star selection.” 

The 2025 MLS All-Star game will take place on Wednesday, July 23 in Austin, Texas. The MLS All-Stars will take on a team of All-Stars from Mexico's Liga MX at 8 pm CT.