MLS Colorado Rapids

Rapids Forward and MLS Leading Goalscorer Jeff Cunningham Called In For MLS All Star Game

Published on July 26, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


DENVER, CO (Tuesday, July 26, 2005) - Colorado Rapids forward and Major League Soccer leading goalscorer Jeff Cunningham was named selected today as injury replacement and added to the MLS squad for the match against Fulham FC in the 2005 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game on Saturday, July 30 at Columbus Crew Stadium (ABC Sports - 3:30 p.m. ET). Cunnigham is one of three players in this category that also include Chicago Fire defender Ivan Guerrero and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Brad Davis.

Cunningham, who currently leads MLS with 10 goals scored on the season, returns to Columbus as an All-Star for the first time in his eight-year career. Cunningham and Fulham FC forward Brian McBride were teammates on the Columbus Crew from 1998-2003 and remain tied as the top two goal-scorers in Columbus Crew history with 62 goals each. The 28-year old was traded by the Columbus Crew to the Rapids prior to the 2005 season.

Guerrero, who started all five games for Honduras in the recently concluded 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup and who scored a goal last Thursday against the United States in the semifinals, makes the All-Star team in his first year in MLS. As a midfielder / defender with the Fire, Guerrero has scored two goals and registered four assists in 18 games so far this season.

Midfielder Brad Davis also makes his first-ever appearance in the MLS All-Star Game in his first year with the San Jose Earthquakes after an off season trade from FC Dallas. After 14 games played in 2005, Davis is tied for the League lead with eight assists. The 24-year-old caps off a memorable week which also saw him score the clinching penalty kick for the United States on Sunday to help capture the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The three players, all making their first career All-Star appearance, will replace previously selected MLS All-Star starters - Eddie Johnson, Eddie Pope, and Amado Guevara - who will not be able to participate due to injuries. With these selections, 11 MLS teams will be represented at the midsummer showcase. Later this week MLS All Star Coach Colin Clarke will choose the three new players for the starting lineup from the current pool of 10 reserve players.

Fulham FC has added defender Dean Leacock and midfielder Michael Timlin to their roster and the two players joined the team in Columbus, Ohio late on Monday.

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MLS ALL-STAR ROSTER:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Matt Reis (New England Revolution), Scott Garlick (FC Dallas)

DEFENDERS (5): Greg Vanney (FC Dallas), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy), Ivan Guerrero (Chicago Fire)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution), Ronnie O'Brien (FC Dallas), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Christian Gomez (D.C. United), Simo Valakari (FC Dallas), Brad Davis (San Jose Earthquakes).

FORWARDS (4): Carlos Ruiz (FC Dallas), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution), Pat Noonan (New England Revolution), Jeff Cunningham (Colorado Rapids)

INJURED (Will not play): Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake), Amado Guevara (MetroStars), Eddie Johnson (FC Dallas).

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FULHAM ROSTER:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Mark Crossley (Wales), Jaroslav Drobny (Czech Republic).

DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (USA), Alain Goma (France), Niclas Jensen (Denmark), Zat Knight (England), Zesh Rehman (England), Liam Rosenour (England), Moritz Volz (Germany), Dean Leacock (England).

MIDFIELDERS (8): Papa Bouba Diop (Senegal), Ahmed Elrich (Australia), Claus Jensen (Denmark), Sylvain Legwinski (France), Steed Malbranque (France), Mark Pembridge (Wales), Tomasz Radzinski (Canada), Michael Timlin (England).

FORWARDS (4): Luis Boa Morte (Portugal), Heider Helguson (Iceland), Collins John (Holland), Brian McBride (USA).




Major League Soccer Stories from July 26, 2005


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