MLS Major League Soccer

MLS Announces Eighteen-Player Roster for 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game

Published on July 10, 2007 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK (Tuesday, July 10, 2007) - Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber and New England Revolution Head Coach Steve Nicol today announced the remaining seven players that complete the roster for the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and Celtic FC on July 19, 2007 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. (Live on ESPN2 and Telefutura, 9:00 p.m. ET).

In addition to the All-Star First XI announced last week, Commissioner Garber selected two All-Stars and Nicol made five selections. The five players selected by Nicol were: Kevin Hartman (goalkeeper, Kansas City Wizards), Ronnie O'Brien (midfielder, Toronto FC), Pablo Mastroeni (midfielder, Colorado Rapids), Landon Donovan (forward, Los Angeles Galaxy) and Brian Ching (forward, Houston Dynamo).

Commissioner Garber selected Eddie Pope (defender, Real Salt Lake) and Cobi Jones (midfielder, Los Angeles Galaxy) as the two "Commissioner's picks". Pope and Jones are "MLS originals," as both have played in all 12 MLS seasons and both have announced they will retire at the end of this year.

Nicol earned the honor of coaching the MLS side by virtue of leading his team to the highest points per game average in the League through games played on June 25 (Week 12).

Complete MLS All-Star Roster:

Goalkeeper: Matt Reis (New England Revolution), Kevin Hartman (Kansas City Wizards)

Defenders: Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake)

Midfielders: Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Dwayne De Rosario (Houston Dynamo), Christian Gomez (D.C. United), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Ronnie O'Brien (Toronto FC), Juan Toja (FC Dallas)

Forwards: Juan Pablo Angel (Red Bull New York), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas City Wizards)

Tickets for the midsummer showcase from $40 to $60 for individuals (Endline - $40, Corner Flag - $50, Premium - $55, VIP - $60) and can be purchased at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park Box Office, located at 6000 Victory Way from 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. local time Monday-Friday, Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. or by calling TicketHorse at 1-866-461-6556. For more information call 303-825-GOAL or visit www.coloradorapids.com.

2007 MLS ALL-STAR BIOS

Juan Pablo Angel Forward New York Red Bulls Born: October 24, 1975

The 31-year-old Colombian national team player has set the League on fire since arriving as one of New York's Designated Players from English Premiership team Aston Villa. Angel brings to MLS a wealth of international experience, including time at Atlético Nacional in Colombia and River Plate in Argentina. Brilliant at set pieces, an excellent reader of the game and armed with a world-class goal-scoring instinct, Angel scored an astounding nine goals in his first seven MLS games. He is tied for the League lead in goals scored and has led the Red Bulls to one of the best records in MLS.

Jonathan Bornstein Defender Chivas USA Born: November 7, 1984

The Chivas USA defender had a stellar rookie season in 2006, logging the most minutes of any field player in the League and taking home the MLS Gatorade Rookie of the Year award. In addition to his huge defensive contributions, he managed six goals during the course of the season, leading all rookies in scoring. His superb 2006 season prompted an international call-up from former Chivas USA coach Bob Bradley, and early 2007 marked his first appearance for the national team. Bornstein was an important piece of the Gold Cup championship team and played with the U.S. squad at Copa America. This is the first MLS All-star appearance for the 22-year-old.

Brian Ching Forward Houston Dynamo Born: May 24, 1978

Winner of the 2006 Sierra Mist Goal of the Year for his spectacular bicycle kick goal, Ching led Houston Dynamo to the team's first MLS Cup championship in 2006 also the club's first year in existence. Ching has helped lead Houston atop the Western Conference by scoring four goals in 12 games this season. He is one of the most dangerous players in the League in the air and is also dangerous with the ball at his feet. His good form in recent years led to a spot on the 2006 FIFA World Cup U.S. Men's National Team, and earlier this summer, Ching was a crucial member of the Gold Cup winning squad. This is Ching's second consecutive and third overall MLS All-Star selection.

Ricardo Clark Midfielder Houston Dynamo Born: February 10, 1983

Houston Dynamo's 24-year-old midfielder is a rising star in both Major League Soccer and the international level. Clark has the ability of control the tempo of a game from his defensive midfield position. He was a member of the U.S. Men's National Team during their run to the Gold Cup championship and scored his first national team goal at Copa America. This is Clark's second consecutive and second overall selection to the MLS All-Star team. He was also named to the Radio Shack Best XI in 2006 after leading Houston on a run to the playoffs and the MLS Cup Championship.

Jimmy Conrad Defender Kansas City Wizards Born: February 12, 1977

The nine-year MLS veteran and U.S. national team standout was named MLS Defender of the Year in 2005 and has earned Radio Shack Best XI honors the past three seasons. This is Conrad's fourth consecutive and fourth overall selection to the MLS All-Star team. The California native's excellent form has propelled the Kansas City Wizards to one of the best records in the League. He is a regular starter with Bob Bradley's U.S. team and had strong performances against Italy and Ghana at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

Dwayne De Rosario Midfielder Houston Dynamo Born: May 15, 1978

De Rosario, the 2006 Sierra Mist All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, will be making his second consecutive and second career trip to the MLS midsummer showcase. Considered one of the most exciting players in the League, De Rosario is a two-time finalist for League MVP, two-time member of the Radio Shack Best XI and a two-time winner of the Sierra Mist Goal of the Year. He captured last season's All-Star MVP award for his lone goal in the 1-0 triumph over English giants Chelsea FC. De Rosario, also a member of the Canadian National Team, leads the Houston Dynamo from the attacking midfield slot where his creative attacking skills, superior field vision and ability to apply pressure all over the field have allowed him to become one of the top midfielders in the league.

Landon Donovan Midfielder Los Angeles Galaxy Born: March 4, 1982

Donovan, a member of the MLS All-Time Best XI, has been selected for his seventh consecutive All-Star Game. This is the 25-year-old U.S. National Team star's third selection as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy after four previous selections as a member of the San Jose Earthquakes. He is tied with fellow All-Star Cobi Jones for the team lead in goals with four, and has six assists. This year Donovan passed former MLS star Eric Wynalda as the all-time points leader for the U.S. Men's National Team. In 94 games for the U.S., he has 34 goals, four of which came during the United States' recent run to the Gold Cup championship. In his six previous All-Star game appearances, Donovan has tallied five goals and four assists.

Christian Gomez Midfielder D.C. United Born: November 7, 1974

The 33-year-old Argentine has been the driving force behind D.C. United's success on-field since his arrival to MLS in 2004. One of the most talented midfielders in the League, he has a staggering 33 goals and 24 assists in 84 games. A deadly shooter, Gomez has led D.C. United to the playoffs in each of his years in the nation's capital. He is dangerous on and off the ball, posing a consistent threat to rival defenses. This is his second consecutive selection to the MLS All-Star game and second overall.

Kevin Hartman Goalkeeper Kansas City Wizards Born: May 25, 1974

Nicknamed "El Gato," Hartman is known around the League for his cat-like reflexes and shot-stopping ability. Before being traded to Kansas City earlier this year, Hartman spent 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy. During that time, he won both the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup twice, and in the process, cemented his place as one of the best goalkeepers in MLS. Hartman is the League's all-time leader in wins, shutouts, and has the third best goals against average. This is Hartman's fifth MLS All-Star selection.

Eddie Johnson Forward Kansas City Wizards Born: March 31, 1984

A complete package of speed, strength and skill, two-time MLS All-Star Eddie Johnson is on pace for a career year in 2007. This year he became the first player in League history to record back-to-back hat-tricks (May 26 vs. New England & June 2 vs. New York), and he currently sits tied atop the MLS scoring leader board with nine goals in nine games. Johnson has led the Wizards to a great start this season (6-4-3, 21 pts) in Head Coach Curt Onalfo's first year at the helm. A seven-year MLS veteran, Johnson, 23, is a dangerous attacking presence and a mainstay for the U.S. Men's National Team. He was a member of the 2006 FIFA World Cup team and was a member of the U.S. that won the Gold Cup championship in June. This is the second All-Star selection for Johnson, as he was selected in 2005 as a member of FC Dallas.

Cobi Jones Midfielder Los Angeles Galaxy Born: June 16, 1970

Jones has put together one of the most illustrious careers in the history of soccer in the United States. Arguably the most recognizable player in U.S. soccer history, Jones has been a mainstay on the international level since graduating from UCLA in 1991. Currently in his 12th and final season in MLS, he is tied for the Galaxy team lead in goals with four and this is his ninth selection to the All-Star team. Jones holds numerous Galaxy records, including most appearances, goals and assists and was an important member of the 2005 team that completed the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup double. He is the only player to hold the distinction of playing all 12 MLS seasons with the same team. Jones is a veteran of four FIFA World Cups and played for the National Team a record 164 times, scoring 15 goals. With nearly two decades of consummate professionalism and high-level performance, Jones has delivered a priceless contribution to MLS and the growth of soccer in the U.S.

Shalrie Joseph Midfielder New England Revolution Born: May 24, 1978

Joseph, named by Soccer America as the Top Holding Midfielder in MLS in 2006, is an intense and gritty ball winner. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound St. Johns product is the engine in the Revolution midfield, providing a crucial link between defense and offense. The 29-year-old was born in Grenada and moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. as a teenager. In addition to his defensive contributions, he has scored three goals for the Revolution this campaign. This is Joseph's fourth consecutive and fourth overall selection to the MLS All-Star team.

Pablo Mastroeni Midfielder Colorado Rapids Born: August 29, 1976

One of the hardest working players in the League, Mastroeni is known for his hard-nosed tackling and his ability to spark counter-attacks with vision and pin-point passing. The Colorado captain is vocal on the field and has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the country. Born in Argentina, Mastroeni has been a mainstay for the U.S. Men's National Team since becoming a U.S. citizen in 2001. He has amassed 56 National Team caps and was a key member of the past two FIFA World Cup squads. This is his eighth consecutive and eighth overall MLS All-Star Game selection.

Ronnie O'Brien Midfielder Toronto FC Born: January 5, 1979

O'Brien spent five seasons in Dallas, before a trade during the 2007 sent him to Toronto. He has proven to be a quality veteran leader on the first-year MLS team. A native of Ireland and one of the most dynamic midfielders in MLS, O'Brien is a crafty player with good pace and one of the fiercest shots in the League. He was named to the Best XI in 2004 and 2005 and over those two seasons, tallied eight goals and 22 assists. O'Brien has won over the Toronto fans at BMO Field this year, contributing four assists in 11 games played. This is O'Brien's fourth consecutive and fourth overall selection to the MLS All-Star Team.

Michael Parkhurst Defender New England Revolution Born: January 24, 1984

This marks the second selection to the MLS All-Star team for Parkhurst, as he filled in for an injured player in 2005. Parkhurst, 23, is proving to be one of the best central defenders in the American game. He has helped lead the Revolution to second place in the Eastern Conference standings and has led his club to the last two MLS Cup Championship games. After a stand-out career for Wake Forest University, he was named MLS Gatorade Rookie of the Year Award in 2005. He earned two caps for the U.S. national team during the squad's championship run at the 2007 Gold Cup. Off the field, Parkhurst spends much of his free time volunteering, and in 2006 he received the League's U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year award.

Eddie Pope Defender Real Salt Lake Born: December 24, 1973

Pope received a record eleventh consecutive and eleventh overall selection for the MLS All-Star Team in this his final MLS season. The 33-year-old North Carolina native is a veteran of three FIFA World Cups, and in a 10-year career with the Men's National Team, established himself as arguably the best central defender ever to represent the United States. A three-time MLS Cup winner, four-time MLS Best XI member, and All-Time MLS Best XI defender, Pope is leaving a legacy of professionalism and skill behind when he retires this season. Twice the recipient of D.C United's Humanitarian of the Year Award, Pope has made a tremendous impact off the field as well. The former UNC All-American devotes much of his time to the Eddie Pope Foundation, an organization that uses soccer as a development tool for underserved youth. Pope's 12 years of leadership, class and performance on the field have been invaluable to MLS and U.S. soccer.

Matt Reis Goalkeeper New England Revolution Born: March 28, 1975

A UCLA product, Reis has led New England among the Eastern Conference leaders. This is Reis's third consecutive and third overall selection to the MLS All-Star team. He currently ranks tied for second this season in wins with six and is tied for the most shutouts in the League with five. Reis led the League in shutouts and saves in 2005 and 2006. He holds numerous Revolution goalkeeper records and was voted both the Soccer America MLS ‘Keeper of the Year and Revolution Honda MVP in 2006. Noted for his youth soccer coaching, Reis was also awarded the 2005 Revolution Humanitarian of the Year.

Juan Toja Midfielder FC Dallas Born: May 24, 1985

The 22-year-old Colombian has excelled in Major League Soccer with his energetic play and unique rock-star look. In his first season in MLS, Toja has quickly become a fan favorite for Western Conference leading FC Dallas. He arrived from storied Argentine club River Plate prior to the start of the 2007 season and has been a catalyst for FC Dallas' hot start to the season, scoring four goals in 17 games to date. He has represented Colombia at the Under-21 level and is a likely candidate to receive his first national team cap with his inspirational play in midfield for FC Dallas.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 10, 2007


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