MLS All-Stars To Take On Chelsea FC At Philadelphia Union's PPL Park
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The MLS All-Stars will take on Chelsea FC this summer on the Union's home field. The match will take place at PPL Park in Chester on July 25th.
Chelsea FC is one of the most widely-respected soccer programs in the world featuring some of the game's best players. Chelsea recently advanced to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.
Union Team Manager Peter Nowak has been selected to coach the All-Stars and he believes it will be a special event. "It's good for all of us to be in the all-star game again. For me and the coaching staff as I mentioned, it's something special," he said.
Nowak led the All-Stars to a victory over Chelsea the last time this matchup took place six years ago.
"Hosting a club as successful and prominent as Chelsea FC makes the AT&T MLS All-Star Game a destination event for the North American soccer community, one that will attract a global television audience," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said via press release. "Our players relish the opportunity to challenge the world's best and play under the All-Star spotlight."
"We are excited to have the chance of a re-match against the MLS All-Stars and are in no doubt it will provide a competitive fixture as we build towards the 2012/13 season, having lost narrowly in the match six years ago, with Peter Nowak the All-Stars coach that day too," Chelsea Chief Executive Ron Gourlay said via press release. "Barclays Premier League clubs regularly take part in this fixture and it will be broadcast live on television around the world. The match also sees Chelsea returning to Philadelphia where we played AC Milan in 2004. There was a large crowd that evening, clearly demonstrating the enthusiasm for the sport in the city and we are looking forward to returning to the States for the sixth time in nine years."
Nowak also spoke about injured Union midfielder Roger Torres. "It's not good," he said, and called it a "bad MCL sprain."
Tickets to the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, May 9th at 10 a.m at philadelphiaunion.com.
