Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
Major League Soccer made official Tuesday what was reported on Monday, awarding the 2012 MLS All-Star Game to PPL Park at an announcement at Philadelphia's City Hall Tuesday morning.
The game will take place Wednesday, July 25, at 8 p.m., and the format for the game will remain the same as in past seasons. A team of MLS All-Stars will take on a yet-to-be-named foreign club, one that will be announced "in the next couple of months" according to MLS commissioner Don Garber.
MLS has played a team from the United Kingdom in each of the last seven seasons. The MLS All-Stars beat Fulham, Chelsea, Celtic and West Ham between 2005-2008 before losing to Everton on penalties in 2009 and falling to Manchester United in each of the last two seasons.
The date of the game is a day before the start of the men's Olympic soccer tournament. As a result, MLS players expected to participate in the Olympics — such as David Beckham and (should the United States qualify) a number of Philadelphia's young players, among others — would be unlikely to be available to take part in the exhibition, as is the case for some players from the eventual opponent.
Unlike last season, however, the game will not conflict with the CONCACAF Champions League. Players from the Seattle Sounders, Toronto FC and FC Dallas were unable to compete in last year's game due to the scheduling conflict.
What do you make of this development? Who do you want to see the MLS All-Stars go up against? Already planning your trip to Philadelphia?
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