By DAN KARELL
Next year’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game is looking likely to have more of a German flavor.
Bayern Munich Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed to German publication SportBild that Bayern Munich would be heading across the Atlantic Ocean next summer to face the MLS All-Stars, becoming the first German team in the annual exhibition match. The 2014 MLS All-Star Game is set to take place at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, Ore.
MLS has not yet publicly commented on next year’s All-Star game opponent.
“We were the first German club (to receive) an invitation to the MLS All-Star Game. We have accepted the invitation, “Rummenigge told SportBild. “We are discussing plans to go for a week in the U.S. and to play two matches. The DFL (German Football League) has great interest that we travel to the U.S.”
The defending UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga, and German Cup champions have made no secret to their desire to enter the global market, hiring Jörg Wacker to lead their international ventures in the United States and China. Bayern are expected to open offices in New York and China in the coming months.
One of the reason’s cited for Bayern’s interest in growing their presence in North America was the massive deal signed by 21st Century Fox that is bringing the Bundesliga television rights to Fox on a five-year deal, beginning in 2015.
Nothing yet has been announced from MLS in terms of the time and date of the 2014 All-Star Game. Bayern have reportedly asked for the game to be pushed back by a week or so in order for them to be able to bring their full squad to America, which will likely include many players participating at next summer’s World Cup. This year the All-Star Game was played against AS Roma on July 31. AS Roma won, 3-1.
——–
What do you think of these developments? Excited to see Bayern Munich face the MLS All-Stars? Would you have more interest in watching the All-Star Game if Bayern were the opponent?
Share your thoughts below.