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.”
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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?
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