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MLS Ticker: Rapids set to host All-Star Game; Whitecaps sign Pa-Modou Kah; and more

2015 AT&T MLS All-Star Logo

By RYAN TOLMICH

Major League Soccer’s biggest stars will be bound for Colorado this summer.

The league announced Wednesday that this season’s All-Star Game will take place at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, home of the Colorado Rapids, on July 29. The All-Stars, who will be coached by Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni, will take on a yet-to-be-named international opponent.

“Colorado has become a destination for marquee soccer events, and we are thrilled to bring the AT&T All-Star Game to the region,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber in a statement. “Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is a tremendous stadium, and we know the enthusiastic support of (supporters’ group) Centennial 38 and other Rapids fans will provide a great home-field advantage for the MLS All-Stars.”

The contests returns to Colorado after previously being played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2007 in a game that saw the All-Stars top Celtic, 2-0.

Here are some more of Wednesday evening’s MLS news and notes:

WHITECAPS SIGN EXPERIENCED CENTERBACK KAH

The Vancouver Whitecaps have added a veteran presence to help bolster its back line.

The Whitecaps announced Wednesday that the club has come to terms with veteran centerback Pa-Moudou Kah, formerly of the Portland Timbers. Kah has spent the past two seasons in MLS with the Timbers and made 47 appearances, all of them starts.

“Kah is an athletic centre back with a wealth of experience, both in MLS and abroad,” said Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson. “Not only does he bring experience, but also great character, and that will be equally important to our team.”

Internationally, Kah has made 10 international appearances for Norway in a career that has seen him play in Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

“I’m very excited about this opportunity,” Kah said. “I’m looking forward to meeting the team and playing in front of the fantastic fans at BC Place. Vancouver has a great team that is heading in the right direction and I will do everything I can to help. I’d like to thank the coaching staff for this opportunity – I can’t wait to get started.”

FC DALLAS ADDS MLS VETERAN HARRIS

FC Dallas selected Atiba Harris in December’s Re-Entry Draft, but it took until now for the club to be able to officially call the midfielder a member of its roster.

Dallas has officially signed Harris to a contract, it was announced Monday, after acquiring the forward in Round 2 of the Re-Entry Draft. Harris has enjoyed a nine-year MLS career that has featured stops with Real Salt Lake, Chivas USA, FC Dallas, the Vancouver Whitecaps, Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes.

In total, Harris has made 191 MLS appearances, 152 of them starts, and has scored 26 goals.

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Excited for the All-Star Game in Colorado or would you have preferred to see it elsewhere? Plan to attend? How will Harris and Kah fare with their new teams?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. So that means arsenal will come home to visit their daddy (owner).
    Not a bad team for the all star game but their stadium is in the middle of no where and their stadium is kinda stadium academy look alike.
    Now the question is when will San Jose, Houston, Orlando, or a non MLS market host the all star game.
    For example, Miami, Minneapolis, or even st.louis would be good options for non MLS markets to host an all star game, or Austin. ( San Antonio has Mexico and USA games)

    Reply
    • As a Rapids fan, I have to agree. It’s not a bad stadium, in a bad location, but nobody has ever said either were great. Is “acceptable” really worthy of hosting the All-Star game two times in seven years? Add to that, we’re smack dab in the middle of rural america, and have no players or coach worthy of being a part of the game.
      This is fine, but they could have done better, and I’m a little disappointed.

      Reply
    • I just kept wondering how he is still in MLS too. He is a hack through and through (At least hacks like Lenhart and Gordon score somewhat regularly).

      Reply

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