MLS
MLS All-Stars Will Face Stiff Competition Against Premier League Champions Chelsea
By Russell Shiring
April 20, 2006
Jose Mourinho will bring Chelsea back to the United States for the third consecutive year
After easily defeating English Premier side Fulham in last year's All-Star Game, Major League Soccer will face a much stronger test this year when the take on defending Premier League champions Chelsea.
The 2006 MLS All-Star game, which has been moved to August 5 to accommodate Chelsea's schedule, will be played at the Chicago Fire's new stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois.
"We are thrilled to welcome Chelsea, one of the world's great teams, back to the United States," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "We think our top players will relish this opportunity and will represent the League well. We expect that this event will showcase a number of players on both teams who will have just made their mark at the World Cup in Germany."
Chelsea has visited the United States the previous two summers to prepare their team for the Premier League season which begins two weeks after the All-Star Game.
"I am very happy to be coming back to the United States again," said Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho. "This will be our third year preparing for the new Premiership season in America and it is ideal preparation."
The tours also serve another purpose in helping build the Chelsea brand and fan base in America.
"Our participation confirms Chelsea's long-term commitment to football in the United States," said Chelsea Business Affairs Director Paul Smith. "No other global team is prepared to invest in U.S. soccer from top to bottom. By building the profile and interest in Chelsea in this way we are confident we can expand our business and build a platform for increasing our fan base, merchandising and sponsorship opportunities."
Last year, Chelsea played its first match against MLS opposition and came away with a 2-1 victory over D.C. United in an exciting and competitive match.
"This time we will have a very tough game against the best players in the MLS," Mourinho said. "Last year we played D.C. United and I have to say I was very impressed with the standard of American players then. We have several in England and, of course, the U.S. national team has qualified for the World Cup again."
This will be the third time that the League's best players battle one of the world's top clubs in the All-Star Game. Last year, the All-Stars defeated English Premier League club Fulham FC, 4-1 and in 2003, the All-Stars beat Mexican club CD Guadalajara, 3-1.
Chelsea is currently atop the English Premier League and is poised to win its second straight title. The London-based club has consistently ranked among the world's top clubs in recent years and is filled with world class players that will be playing for various countries at this summer's World Cup.
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