Chester, PA – Six years after squaring off against one another, the Major League Soccer All-Star Team will face English Premier League side Chelsea in the summer showcase at PPL Park in July, it was announced Wednesday.
The All-Stars, managed by Peter Nowak, defeated the Blues, 1-0, in 2006 in Bridgeview, Illinois on the back of a superb strike from Dwayne De Rosario. With the 2012 edition taking place at the Philadelphia Union's home ground, Nowak will look to manage the All-Stars to further success against Chelsea.
It is the ninth time that an international club will take on the MLS All- Stars, who hold a 5-2-1 record in this format. Some of the most notable opponents from past MLS All-Star Games include Manchester United (2010 & 2011), Everton FC (2009), Chelsea (2006), Fulham (2005) and Chivas de Guadalajara (2003).
"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. "Our players relish the opportunity to challenge the world's best and play under the All-Star spotlight."
Led by a host of international stars such as Frank Lampard, John Terry, Juan Mata, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres, Chelsea is in contention to hoist the UEFA Champions League trophy for the first time in club history as the club is set to face reigning European champions Barcelona in the semifinals of the competition. The Blues currently sit sixth in the English Premier League.
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