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MLS Ticker: Avaya Stadium confirmed as All-Star host; TFC falls to Manchester City; and more

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Photo by Kelley L Cox/USA Today Sports

By RYAN TOLMICH

The 2016 MLS All-Star game is officially bound for San Jose.

As reported by SBI earlier this week, MLS announced Thursday that the 2016 All-Star game will be held at the San Jose Earthquakes’ Avaya Stadium. The match will be broadcasted on ESPN and Univision and will be the second time San Jose has hosted All-Star festivities after previously hosting in 2001.

“We are pleased to bring the AT&T MLS All-Star Game to San Jose,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber in a statement, “and know that Avaya Stadium and the Earthquakes’ passionate supporters will provide a vibrant and electric setting for this marquee event.

“It will be 15 years since the last time San Jose hosted our All-Star Game, and the growth of the All-Star Game and festivities has mirrored the remarkable progress of the sport in North America.  We look forward to celebrating our game with soccer fans throughout the Bay Area.”

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

MANCHESTER CITY TAKES DOWN TORONTO FC

Toronto FC managed to hold a clean sheet for 84 minutes against England’s runners-up on Wednesday night, but couldn’t finish the job.

20-year-old George Evans scored an impressive, long-range goal in the 85th minute that proved to be the deciding blow as Manchester City picked up a 1-0 win at BMO Field.

The first half saw both sides played with some regulars in the lineup – Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and David Silva took the field for Manchester City, as did Sebastian Giovinco and Michael Bradley for TFC.

But in the second half, those big-name players made way for an influx in youth. The likes of Jay Chapman, Manu Aparicio, Jordan Hamilton and Chris Mannella saw the field for Toronto FC. Young goalkeeper Alex Bono came on for Joe Bendik, who played 30 minutes in his return from an injury, after 30 minutes and was named the Reds’ man of the match.

CREW FALL TO VALENCIA

Days after claiming a spot in next season’s Champions League, Valencia did just enough to outlast the Columbus Crew in a friendly.

Led by a 33rd minute goal from Alvaro Negredo, Valencia topped the Crew, 1-0, on Wednesday night at MAPFRE Stadium. The game saw the debut of 17-year-old Ben Swanson, while rookies Kalen Ryden and Sergio Campbell also featured for the Crew.

Negredo, who fired eight shots in the opening half, saw three separate one-on-one opportunities denied by Brad Stuver before finally sliding one past the Crew goalkeeper.

DYNAMO, MANCHESTER CITY FC FRIENDLY CANCELLED WEDNESDAY

The BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup is cancelled after referees deemed the field to be not up to par after constant storms in the area Wednesday.

The Dynamo will reschedule the event, but Manchester City FC will not be available, and the Dynamo will have to find a new opponent.

“I’m so sorry to say tonight’s match has been cancelled,” President of the Houston Dynamo Cris Canetti said of the call. “This decision was not made by us. The officials deemed the pitch unsafe.

“We don’t agree with the decision. At the end of the day we could not overcome the impact the storm had on field.”

MLS ATLANTA HIRED FORMER UNDER ARMOUR EXEC RODRIGUEZ

The front office of Atlanta’s MLS expansion franchise is beginning to take shape.

MLS Atlanta announced Wednesday that the club has hired former Under Armour executive Ann Rodriguez as the club’s vice president of business operations. Rodriguez formerly served as ice President of Sales and Marketing for the San Jose Earthquakes.

Rodriguez will oversee the day-to-day business of the franchise, including sponsorships, ticket sales, marketing and fan experience.

“Ann brings with her an extensive and impressive background in sports and entertainment marketing and is an expert in the business of global soccer and Major League Soccer in particular,” said team president Darren Eales. “We are fortunate that she will be joining our team in the formative stages of our development, and we look forward to drawing on her expertise as we create our club and our brand.”

What do you expect from next year’s All-Star Game? What are your takeaways from the two friendlies? What do you think of MLS Atlanta’s move so far?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Forget the off season with its transfers and trades. We have entered the MLS Silly Season.

    Enjoy or be repulsed, it doesn’t matter it is here and probably isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

    Reply
  2. Not to be a debbie-downer, but has anybody else been less than impressed with Avaya? Been to a couple games this year, and have found them uninspiring. I just feel like they kind of cheaped out. For an 18k stadium, the logistics are horrific: Overly long lines for parking. Long lines to enter the stadium. Poor food selection and they seem to be constantly out of certain items and the lines — surprise — run slow. Too few bathrooms. Not to mention there’s nothing really around the stadium — hard to walk there from anyplace you might want to be in the area. Compare to say, Seattle or KC or Portland …

    It’s much better than Buck Shaw, etc., but it just feels like this was a real opportunity missed.

    Reply
    • I was actually pretty impressed by the feel of the stadium, but maybe I had low expectations. The view is great from every seat and the field looks to be in fantastic shape. The stadium itself is simple but elegantly so, sort of a minimalist approach. I haven’t ordered food much from the kiosks, but the food trucks are a nice option that allows for some diversity week to week. The beer offerings were reasonable and the outdoor bar looks great. Overlooking the international airport across the street is unusual but having plans landing/taking off during games is not really a negative for me.

      As far as access, I take the caltrain and a shuttle from the station. It’s frustrating that you cannot walk from the station to the stadium as there is no direct pathway and the roads connecting the two are circuitous. That said, caltrain is convenient and the shuttle is free. I’m hoping the nearby area continues to develop, I would love to have more things to do before and after games, but overall I’m pretty happy with the stadium.

      Reply
  3. Just name your team already Atlanta and while you’re at it let us know your colors and what your kit is going to be like and it better not be lame!

    Reply

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