MLS All-Star First XI To Be Announced From BMO Field July 10

Published on July 3, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release

NEW YORK and TORONTO (Thursday, July 3, 2007) - Major League Soccer and Toronto FC, hosts of the 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game, will unveil the MLS All-Star First XI in a press conference aired live exclusively on MLSnet.com from BMO Field on Thursday, July 10 at 11 a.m. ET. MLS fans will learn the initial group of players voted to face West Ham United in the 13th annual MLS All-Star Game. The match is Thursday, July 24 at 7 p.m. ET, live on ESPN, TeleFutura and CBC.

Supporters cast their ballots and the resounding favorites were Los Angeles Galaxy teammates David Beckham and Landon Donovan. Chicago's Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Houston's Dwayne De Rosario and Columbus' Frankie Hejduk also captured a significant percentage of the fan votes.

Online fan balloting comprised 25 percent of the total vote for the All-Star First XI. The remaining 75 percent was comprised of voting by coaches and general managers, players and media, who each held 25 percent of the vote.

MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis will lead next Thursday's announcement from BMO Field. Tom Anselmi, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, will participate and will discuss events surrounding the All-Star Game including Pepsi MLS Soccer Jam being held from July 22-24, which takes place outside of BMO Field on the Grounds of Exhibition Place. The entire event will be broadcast live on the League's official web site www.mlsnet.com.

After the First XI is announced, MLS All-Star coach Steve Nicol (New England Revolution) will select five additional players and MLS Commissioner Don Garber will make two selections to round out the 18-player roster. If First XI selections are unavailable due to injury, international duty or other commitments, Nicol will decide on alternates.

The 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game will feature the best in Major League Soccer versus West Ham United of the English Premier League. The game will be played on Thursday, July 24 at 7 p.m. ET at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada and will be broadcast on ESPN, Telefutura and CBC in Canada.

The 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game will follow the most competitive All-Star format in North American professional sports, with MLS players looking to continue their streak against international opponents and West Ham players looking to secure their spots ahead of the Premier League season. Last year, the MLS All-Stars defeated Scottish Premier League powerhouse Celtic FC, 2-0, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce, Colo., with a game-winning goal by New York Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel. In 2006, the MLS All-Stars defeated English Premier League power Chelsea FC, 1-0, at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. In 2005, the MLS All-Stars bested English Premier League club Fulham FC, 4-1, at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. In 2003, the MLS All-Stars downed one of Mexico's most successful clubs, Chivas de Guadalajara, 3-1, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

Major League Soccer Stories from July 3, 2008

• Earthquakes to host Olympic team - San Jose Earthquakes
• Crew celebrates holiday with game vs. Fire and Fireworks - Columbus Crew SC
• Fire Midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco Nominated for 2008 ESPY Award for Best MLS Player - Chicago Fire FC
• Chivas USA's July 13 SuperLiga debut vs. Mexico's Pachuca less than two weeks away - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
• MLS All-Star First XI To Be Announced From BMO Field July 10 - MLS
• MLS All-Star First XI To Be Announced From BMO Field July 10 - Toronto FC
• Blanco, Angel and Barros Schelotto Among MLS Players Nominated for "Tecate Premios Deportes" - MLS
• Red Bulls Juan Pablo Angel is among MLS players nominated for the first-ever annual Tecate Premios - Red Bull New York
• Red Bulls Look Travel to Colorado Rapids for July 4th Match - Red Bull New York
• Manzonelli Named to U.S. Under-20 Roster for Match Against Mexico - New England Revolution
• RSL & Calle Bringing Soccer To The Streets Of Salt Lake Today - Real Salt Lake

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