goalkeeper Scott Garlick and holding midfielder Simo Valakari. Also making the trip to Columbus is a pair from the New England Revolution. Strike partners Pat Noonan and Taylor Twellman (a Commissioner's Pick) will back up starting forwards Eddie Johnson and Carlos Ruiz -- both FC Dallas players.
Rounding out the MLS All-Star team are Los Angeles Galaxy defender Chris Albright, Columbus Crew defender Frankie Hejduk and D.C. United midfielder Christian Gomez (also a Commissioner's Pick). Hejduk's inclusion on the roster ensures that the host team will have a representative on July 30, while Gomez's first All-Star nod provides a player from the reigning MLS Cup champions.
FC Dallas will have the most representatives of any team on the MLS All-Star team roster, six players from the Texas club getting the nod. The Revolution are right behind with five players selected.
The MLS All-Star starters, which were announced on Wednesday, were selected by fan balloting (25 percent), players (25 percent), media (25 percent) and coaches and general managers (25 percent). Clarke earned the right to coach the MLS All-Star team by leading the club with the best overall record in the league as of July 4.
The 11 players selected as starters are: goalkeeper Matt Reis (New England Revolution); defenders Greg Vanney (FC Dallas), Eddie Pope (Real Salt Lake) and Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards); midfielders Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution), Ronnie O'Brien (FC Dallas), Amado Guevara (MetroStars) and Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution); and forwards Carlos Ruiz and Eddie Johnson (both FC Dallas).
The MLS All-Stars will meet Fulham FC in the second summer showcase against a foreign club. The MLS All-Stars defeated Mexico's CD Guadalajara in the 2003 event. Fulham includes U.S. national team players and former MLS stars Carlos Bocanegra and Brian McBride, both of whom are slated to participate in the match. Tickets for the game are on sale now.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
