MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

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History Makes Cascadia Cup Unique in American Soccer



I've been holding off writing about the upcoming reuniting of the Cascadia clubs in MLS in part because I keep getting this feeling that I am letting history have too much say in my view of it. When I think of Seattle Sounders v. Portland Timbers v. Vancouver Whitecaps I can't help but frame the derbies this way: Vancouver will be Seattle's toughest opponent on the pitch and Portland will be the biggest rival in the stands.

This thinking is really a blend of the old and the new, of North American Soccer League (NASL) results and United Soccer Leagues (USL) road trips. The toughest team for the Sounders to beat in the 1970's, outside of the New York Cosmos, were usually the Vancouver Whitecaps. The most contentious back and forth between supporters groups in the most-recent decade has been between Emerald City Supporters and the Timbers Army. Will it be any different in Major League Soccer in 2011?

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Portland reach benchmark in season ticket sales
10,000 season tickets sold for Timbers' inaugural MLS campaign


PORTLAND, Ore. – There’s perhaps no better way for the Portland Timbers to start a new year than by proudly reaching a new benchmark for season ticket sales in advance of the 2011 season.

On Monday, the Timbers announced that they have surpassed 10,000 season tickets sold and that they would cap that number at 12,000. Additionally, the 23 suites at the soon-to-be renamed PGE Park are also sold out.

“Ten thousand is a number we were shooting for,” Timbers chief operating officer Mike Golub said. “It’s a really good goal for us to meet.”

Golub said the team “comfortably surpassed” that mark by New Year’s Eve, which was the deadline for automatically obtaining additional benefits – such as additional events, gifts and perks – as a founding member of The Axe Society.

The season ticket packages include 20 home games – 17 MLS games plus three additional friendlies. Season ticket holders also have the right to purchase their regular seats for any playoff games.

Portland are confident they can sell the remaining season ticket packages and are hopeful for a string of sellouts during the Timbers’ inaugural MLS campaign.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/p ... cket-sales

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Foreign Non-Collegians Round Out Combine Roster


Just before the end of the year, in December of 2010, the MLS Competition Committee approved a League initiative to sign non-collegiate players for participation in the adidas MLS Player Combine and the SuperDraft. At first glance it sounds like a drastic shift in the way the two events work but it’s not the first time it’s happened.

The initial 1996 combine was loaded with players who had kicked a ball around in the name of earning a paycheck and drafts as recently as 2008 have included a foreigner or two who fit that same description; that’s when Argentinians Maximiliano Damiano & Lucas Fernandez participated in the combine at Ft. Lauderdale’s Lockhart Stadium.

This year’s Player Combine will include a handful of non-collegiate players including midfielder Paolo Cardozo (Uruguay), forward Victor Estupinan (Ecuador), midfielder Marlon Ganchozo (Ecuador), midfielder Martin Rivas (Argentina), and midfielder John Rooney (England).

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Adidas MLS Combine rosters, schedule announced

Additional invitees added to initial list; int'l players included


The future of MLS talent will be on full display this coming weekend as the 2011 adidas MLS Player Combine gets underway.

On Tuesday the league announced the full rosters and coaching assignments for the showcase, scheduled for Jan. 7-11 at Central Broward Regional Park in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and it also added seven more college seniors and five non-college players to the list of players initially invited to the annual Combine.

The group of more than 70 prospects will be split into four squads, with each roster led by a top national coach.

The University of Louisville’s Ken Lolla will coach AdiZero with Rick Brownell of the Michigan Wolves, the University of Tulsa’s Tom McIntosh will coach AdiPure with Dave Smith of the North Atlantic Soccer Association, Seattle Pacific University’s Mark Collings will coach team Jabulani with Brian Quinn of San Diego SC, and Old Dominion’s Alan Dawson will coach team AdiPower with Brian Doyle of Council Rock Soccer Association and FC Bucks.

Four Generation adidas players eligible for this year's SuperDraft — Perry Kitchen, Zac MacMath, Omar Salgado and Zarek Valentin — will not participate in the Combine as they are currently in camp with the US U-20 national team. Another, Akron forward Darlington Nagbe, will not be at the Combine though is still eligible for the MLS SuperDraft, which will be held in Baltimore on Jan. 13.

Following an initiative approved in December by the MLS Competition Committee, this year's Combine will also feature some non-collegiate players and international talent, including Uruguayan midfielder Paolo Cardozo, Ecuadoran forward Victor Estupinan and midfielder Marlon Ganchozo, Argentine midfielder Martin Rivas and English midfielder John Rooney.

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Real Salt Lake knew that sooner or later there was going to be an MLS team that would take former assistant Robin Fraser to be its head coach. That moment finally arrived on Tuesday, as Chivas USA named the former Galaxy player as their new manager.

“We’re extremely pleased he’s gotten this opportunity,” RSL manager Jason Kreis told MLSsoccer.com. “He’s been in contention last couple of years and occasionally felt hard done by that he didn’t get the opportunity sooner.

“It’s well-deserved and no doubt he’s going to be fantastic head coach in the league. He leaves a gaping hole in our staff and we have to address it in fairly short order.”

The hole is even greater given that Fraser will also be taking along the club’s director of the RSL-Arizona youth academy, Greg Vanney, who will now serve as Chivas USA assistant.

Since Fraser was under contract with Real Salt Lake, the two Western Conference clubs have reached an agreement for minimal future considerations, according to RSL GM Garth Lagerwey.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/k ... g-hole-rsl

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Winter, Mariner named in TFC's management team


TORONTO — Toronto FC announced Thursday that Aron Winter (pron. A-ron Vinter) has been named the club’s new head coach and technical director. Paul Mariner joins the team as director of player development.

“We have been working over the past few months to build an integrated soccer system that will give us the best opportunity to succeed on the pitch,” said Tom Anselmi, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. “We wanted to establish a management team that is committed to the way the club wants to play, has an international perspective, knows Major League Soccer and believes in the potential of Toronto FC.”

“Aron will oversee our entire soccer operation and set the soccer direction of Toronto FC. Paul will be responsible for our club’s scouting, player acquisition, player development and our Academy,” added Anselmi.

Winter, 43, brings a wealth of international experience to Toronto as both a player and coach. He made 84 international appearances for the Netherlands and played in three FIFA World Cups and four European Championships. He started and ended his playing career in Amsterdam with Ajax (pron. I-axe) and also played in Italy for Lazio and Inter Milan, making over 400 career club appearances.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/w ... ement-team

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Ranking Prospects

MLSsoccer.com ranks the Top 30 in the SuperDraft

With the MLS SuperDraft now less than a week away, our experts take a took at some of the best young talent soon to find a home in Major League Soccer. The panel of senior writer Simon Borg, director of video content Jason Saghini and college and D.C. United beat writer Travis Clark rank the top 30 prospects for the draft, with mixed opinions on stars like Darlington Nagbe, Perry Kitchen and Zac MacMath.

Make sure to follow the MLS Combine beginning Saturday on MLSsoccer.com, with live streaming of each match and exclusive print and video coverage.


http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/t ... -prospects" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Let’s preface this whole discussion with something that’s axiomatic: The rise of MLS developmental academies and, with it, professional training for young American and Canadian talent, is an unvarnished good. It is the best news since the commitment to soccer-specific stadiums. It is the surest sign that the league understands what “the next step” is and how to take it.

But that doesn’t mean college soccer is dead. Far from it. A rising tide lifts all boats, as the saying goes, and that’s as true in American soccer as it is in any other venue.

Over the past 15 years, the advance in quality of MLS has been mirrored by that of amateur soccer on these shores. And for that reason, the annual SuperDraft will always be relevant.

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The 2011 MLS Combine takes place this weekend in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. This is the final chance for prospective draftees to impress MLS coaches ahead of the MLS SuperDraft on January 13 in Baltimore.
MLSsoccer.com will be streaming every Combine match LIVE. Or, if you are in Florida, you can attend the games at Central Broward Regional Park. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

Saturday, Jan. 8
1:45 pm — AdiPower vs. AdiPure
3:30 pm — Jabulani vs. AdiZero

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Monday, Jan. 10
11:15 am — AdiPure vs. Jabulani
1 pm — AdiPower vs. AdiZero

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Tuesday, Jan. 11
11:15 am — AdiPower vs. Jabulani
1 pm — AdiPure vs. AdiZero

http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Hamlett adds fire to Whitecaps' coaching staff


Longtime Chicago Fire head coach Denis Hamlett will join the Vancouver Whitecaps as an assistant coach. Hamlett, 41, spent 11 years with the Fire, starting as an assistant coach in their inaugural season, 1998, when they won the MLS Cup. He took over head coaching duties before the 2007 season and the Fire reached back-to-back conference finals under his guidance

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Hamle ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;#ixzz1AS6ZTPQS

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Union Partner With Bimbo Bakeries as Official Jersey Sponsor

Baking company signs on as official bread and baked goods sponsor of the Union and MLS

Chester, Pa. (January 11, 2011) - Philadelphia Union and Bimbo Bakeries USA today announced a four-year partnership agreement that will put one of the world’s largest baking companies on the front of the Union team jersey and all team apparel. Philadelphia Union are the fifth professional soccer team to don the Bimbo logo, as Grupo Bimbo, the company’s Mexican parent is also the jersey sponsor for three of Mexico’s Primera Division teams, America, Chivas de Guadalajara and Monterrey, as well as Costa Rican professional team Deportiva Saprissa.


http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2 ... ey-sponsor

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Jabulani edge AdiPower, finish Combine unbeaten

Sapong, Caskey lead Greens past Reds with first-half goals


FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Two first-half goals by Jabulani keyed a 2-1 victory against AdiPower in Game 5 on the third and final day of the MLS Combine.

Alex Caskey and C.J. Sapong each scored in the first half as Jabulani finished the combine with a 2-1 record. AdiPower (0-2-1) provided a response through Ryan Kinne but finished as the only team to remain winless in three games.

AdiPower conceded an early goal for the second game in a row. Caskey netted in the 3rd minute, finding himself in space outside the box, beating Joe Willis with a low, curling drive into the bottom corner of the net.

Jabulani continued as the better side in the first half though Sapong missed a chance to double the lead in the 12th minute. Paolo Cardozo played the ball into space for Sapong and his shot hit Willis’ post.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/j ... e-unbeaten




http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=1916&id=11057

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MEET JOHN ROONEY


http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=112&id=11042" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Follow The Draft
Track each and every pick on MLSsoccer.com

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Omar Salgado Is No. 1 Pick

Vancouver take US U-20 standout with top selection

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Cooper: I'm just coming into my best years

New Timbers striker thrilled to be part of the Portland buzz

PORTLAND, Ore. — Kenny Cooper is ready to return to Major League Soccer and the Portland Timbers are ready to have him.

The Timbers announced Monday they have signed Cooper pending the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. After two injury-riddled seasons with TSV 1860 Munich in Germany’s 2.Bundesliga, the 26-year-old striker returned to MLS through the allocation process.

“I know there’s a lot of excitement and huge buzz for the team around [Portland],” Cooper said on Monday, speaking from Munich. “I crave being in that environment.”

Cooper played four seasons at FC Dallas (2006-09) and tallied 40 goals and 10 assists in 90 regular-season matches. He was named to the MLS Best XI in 2008.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/c ... best-years

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Supplemental Draft
Who did your team pick in the final draft of 2011?


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'Caps Pick Michael Boxall First

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Famed Argentine club re-examining foray into MLS

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – For many world-renowned clubs, Chivas USA’s introduction into MLS in 2005 was an example of how they could expand and tap into a fertile field with plenty of growth potential.

Two years ago, European powerhouse FC Barcelona toyed with establishing an expansion club in Miami. Now, it's Argentine giants Boca Juniors who have the idea of planting a seed in the States.

Boca Juniors manager of marketing and business management Pablo Fuentes told MLSsoccer.com that he recently spoke with MLS about a possible deal between the two sides.

“We spoke for about an hour about the chances of Boca playing over there and forming a franchise with the ‘Boca Juniors’ name, like Chivas [de Guadalajara],” said Fuentes. “As Boca’s manager of marketing, I think it would be spectacular and it’s not something that’s far-fetched.”

An MLS spokesperson confirmed that the league maintains a good working relationship with Boca but that the immediate focus for expansion remains a second club in New York as the league's 20th team after Montreal joins MLS in 2012.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/b ... -foray-mls

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Ángel delighted to finally join LA Galaxy

After month-long negotiation, striker becomes club's third DP

After weeks of anticipation and speculation, the Los Angeles Galaxy finally got their man.

Juan Pablo Angel and the Galaxy agreed to terms on Wednesday to make the Colombian striker the club’s third Designated Player, along with Landon Donovan and David Beckham.

While LA had held the striker’s rights since taking him in the Re-Entry Draft on Dec. 15, a month passed without a deal. But it was worth the wait, Ángel said.

“Like any deal, there were some issues you had to go through,” he said in a conference call on Wednesday. “The holidays and the timing and the draft and all those things that were up in the air didn’t help, but I was always hoping. I’m delighted that all the patience and the wait finally paid off.”

Now that Ángel is signed and sealed and all but delivered – he's slated to arrive in Southern California in the coming days – Bruce Arena said the process of building the team ahead of training camp can now begin in earnest.

“He’s not only a quality player, but a quality person, and he’ll bring a lot to the Galaxy on and off the field and certainly in the locker room,” the Galaxy head coach told MLSsoccer.com.


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Portland and Vancouver to join Seattle for series of preseason matches at Starfire from March 4-6.


Sounders FC to host Cascadia Summit

Posted by: Sounders FC Public Relations
http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles ... ummit.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

RENTON, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC announced today it will host a three-day Cascadia Summit which includes preseason matches between Sounders FC, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.

From Friday, March 4, through Sunday, March 6, the Cascadia Summit will feature forums involving the coaches and supporters groups from each club.

“With Portland and Vancouver joining Seattle in MLS, this marks the beginning of a new era for the game in this region,” said Seattle owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer. “Together, our clubs wish to bring together our teams and supporters for a time to celebrate our passion for the sport, the spirit of our supporters and the competitiveness of our clubs.”

The Summit’s opening match on March 4 will be Sounders FC facing Portland at 7:30 p.m. PT. On March 5, the Timbers and Whitecaps FC play at 5 p.m. PT.

The weekend activities conclude March 6 with the Sounders FC Academy U18 and Whitecaps FC Residency teams playing at 12 p.m., followed by the Seattle and Vancouver senior teams at 3 p.m. PT.

All matches will be played at the Starfire Sports Stadium. Tickets are $10 for each day and go on sale February 1 at SoundersFC.com, Ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000. There is a two-day Sounders FC package for $18 that is good for both Seattle matches. No ticket is necessary for the Supporters Event/Coaches Forum.

Portland and Vancouver supporters will each be allotted 500 tickets in specific sections for their matches with Sounders FC. For the Whitecaps FC-Timbers match, each group will be allotted 1,300 seats, with 500 for Seattle fans. Seating is limited.

The Sounders FC Academy teams meet Crossfire Premier on Saturday at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland. The U18s play at 11 a.m. followed by the U16s at 1:30 p.m.

Sounders FC begins preseason training on Tuesday at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., and opens the MLS season on March 15 by hosting the L.A. Galaxy in First Kick 2011 on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT. For 2011 season tickets visit SoundersFC.com or call 877-MLS-GOAL.


Schedule of Events
(all held at Starfire Stadium)

Friday, March 4
7:00 p.m. Summit Opening
7:30 p.m. Seattle Sounders FC v Portland Timbers

Saturday, March 5
1:00 p.m. Supporters Summit & Coaches Forum
5:00 p.m. Portland Timbers v Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Sunday, March 6
12:00 p.m. Sounders FC Academy U18 v Whitecaps FC Residency
3:00 p.m. Seattle Sounders FC v Vancouver Whitecaps FC

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Chivas USA and Corona Extra Announce Major Sponsorship Agreement

One of the world’s leading beer companies teams up with Major League Soccer club in multiyear deal; Full details of agreement will be unveiled at a Feb. 16 event in downtown Los Angeles

CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, January 25, 2011) – In a landmark agreement between Club Deportivo Chivas USA of Major League Soccer and Grupo Modelo, the leading beer company in Mexico and one of the top brewers in the world, Corona Extra has become the presenting sponsor of Chivas USA. The multiyear agreement will see the logo of Corona Extra, the leading brand in Mexico and the top imported beer in the United States, on Chivas USA team gear, as well as having a significant and visible presence at Chivas USA’s home games and other events.

Corona Extra has been the number one imported premium beer in the US for more than a decade and is the top imported beer in 50 of the 170 countries in which it is currently present. Grupo Modelo is known for its sports sponsorships not only in Mexico but all over the world, and made for a natural fit between the Mexican-owned Chivas USA and Corona Extra, a premium beer known the world over as a symbol of Mexico, quality and great sports.

Full details of the agreement will be unveiled at a February 16 event in downtown Los Angeles. More information on the celebration will be made available in the coming days

http://www.cdchivasusa.com/news/2011/01 ... -agreement

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De Rosario unsettled, but wants to move forward

Toronto FC captain, club look to resolve lingering contract issue

TORONTO — Dwayne de Rosario spoke to media on Wednesday for the first time since he returned from a training stint with Scottish giants Celtic, and the Toronto FC midfielder made it clear he wants to move forward after sorting out the details of his contract.

“It’s not settled – no, I’m not,” he said. “But, that’s between me and the club.”

De Rosario trained with Celtic from Dec. 26 to Jan 18. However, Toronto said he started the trial without informing them or arranging the proper paperwork.

“I didn’t think that there was any confusion until I saw a press release,” he said. “But the past is the past. I’ve moved on.”

The club confirmed that they turned down a request from Celtic to extend De Rosario’s stay in Scotland until March. New TFC director of player personnel Paul Mariner said the club and De Rosario were meeting this week to talk about his contract.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/d ... ve-forward

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Vancouver, Labatt Breweries rekindle partnership


Company was Whitecaps' sponsor during NASL Soccer Bowl win of 1979

VANCOUVER – On Wednesday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced a new five-year partnership with Labatt Breweries that will see Budweiser become the official beer of the team.

The relationship between the two organizations, though, goes back much further than that.

When the Whitecaps were first launched in 1974, their brand was much different than it is today. Paying homage to their Canadian roots, the club’s colors were red and white, and their original logo was a simple crest with a black border and a red soccer ball centered by a maple leaf below the words “Vancouver Whitecaps.”

On the field, the team achieved only moderate results. They made the playoffs three times in their first five seasons, but bowed out to their Pacific Northwest rivals from Seattle twice and to Portland once.

While the red-and-white was patriotic, it never quite fit the Whitecaps’ image.

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Houston Dynamo switch to Eastern Conference

Additions of Portland, Vancouver push Texas franchise east

League officials on Friday announced the highly awaited plans for conference realignment with the inclusion of expansion sides Portland and Vancouver, and the Houston Dynamo will make the shift from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference.

Both conferences will carry nine teams for the 2011 season, and teams will play each other twice as part of the league’s new balanced 34-game schedule.

Houston were realigned because they were the franchise furthest east in the Western Conference, roughly 100 miles east of in-state rivals FC Dallas.

“With the addition of Portland and Vancouver in 2011, MLS wanted to have two conferences of nine teams each,” MLS President Mark Abbott said. ”The most logical solution was for the Houston Dynamo – the easternmost club in the 2010 Western Conference – to move to the Eastern Conference.”

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New rule allows Whitecaps, TFC to compete on level playing field


NEW YORK – The 2011 MLS season will see the league’s two Canadian clubs operate on a more even playing field compared to their US-based counterparts.

The league announced on Friday that players considered domestic players in the United States will also be considered domestic players in Canada.

“We want to make sure the MLS teams from Canada are competitive with other MLS teams and, at the same time, we want to make sure we’re creating the best environment for domestic players to develop in Canada,” MLS executive vice president of player relations and competition Todd Durbin told MLSsoccer.com.

“The backbone of the league has been and will continue to be the US domestic players, and that is a very large pool upon which our teams can draw from. If the Canadian teams are limited in their ability to draw from that pool, there’s a possibility that it could impact them competitively on the field.”

With the freedom to select players from the pool of US and Canadian domestic players, the Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC and future Canadian clubs will also be required to maintain a minimum of three Canadian players on their roster. Montreal is set to join the league in 2012.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/u ... dian-teams

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Garber: Red Bull Arena a special place for All-Star

Smaller venue no deterrent as MLS seeks big-time opponent

NEW YORK – Very big team, very special stadium.

That’s the unquestionable appeal to the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at Red Bull Arena, as the league looks to bring an opponent with global recognition to a stadium some consider one of the best in the world.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber addressed the media Tuesday afternoon on the heels of the league’s All-Star announcement earlier in the day, stressing the benefits of a prime time opportunity for the league’s superstars and the sparkling new 25,000-seat stadium which made its debut in Harrison, N.J., last year.

The league has not announced an opponent yet for the match, but Garber stressed that fans should expect a side with the caliber of previous teams who have ventured stateside for the summer showdown: Celtic, Chivas de Guadalajara and Manchester United, who suited up against the MLS All-Stars in front of more than 70,000 fans at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

The New York market will host the event for the first time since the now-defunct Giants Stadium played host in the league’s inaugural season in 1996 and then again in 1997.

“We were very focused on bringing an MLS event to the New York metropolitan area this year, whether it was MLS Cup or our All-Star game,” Garber said. “We always go through a process … but I’d have to say that we were very focused on New York. We didn’t spend much time thinking about another location.”

Added Garber: “Returning to New York makes a lot of sense for us. … [Red Bull Arena] is one of the great stadiums of its size in the world.”

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Charlie Davies to join DC for evaluation, possible loan

Club to decide whether US national team striker is game-ready

D.C. United announced on Tuesday that US national team striker Charlie Davies is expected to join the club on a week-long "evaluation" stint, with an eye toward a year-long loan.

Davies, whose contract is held by Sochaux of France’s Ligue 1, is working to return to fitness after more than a year of rehabilitation following a car crash in October 2009.

"Charlie Davies is expected to join D.C. United in Ft. Lauderdale on Wednesday for a week-long evaluation period, which will include training and game time with the first team and a full medical evaluation by team doctors in D.C.," the club said in a statement.

“Details of the 12-month loan have already been negotiated, but nothing will be official until D.C. United is satisfied Charlie is physically capable of playing at the level required to be successful in MLS.”

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