MLS All-Star team head coach Colin Clarke today selected three players - Colorado Rapids forward Jeff Cunningham, Chicago Fire defender Ivan Guerrero, and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Brad Davis - as injury replacements who have been added to the MLS squad for the match against Fulham FC in the 2005 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game on Saturday, July 30 at Columbus Crew Stadium (ABC Sports - 3:30 p.m. ET).
The three players, all making their first career All-Star appearance, will replace previously selected MLS All-Star starters - Eddie Johnson, Eddie Pope, and Amado Guevara - who will not be able to participate due to injuries. With these selections, 11 MLS teams will be represented at the midsummer showcase. Later this week Clarke will choose the three new players for the starting lineup from the current pool of 10 reserve players.
Cunningham, who currently leads MLS with 10 goals scored on the season, returns to Columbus as an All-Star for the first time in his eight-year career. Cunningham and Fulham FC forward Brian McBride were teammates on the Columbus Crew from 1998-2003 and remain tied as the top two goal-scorers in Columbus Crew history with 62 goals each. The 28-year old was traded by the Columbus Crew to the Rapids prior to the 2005 season.
Guerrero, who started all five games for Honduras in the recently concluded 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup and who scored a goal last Thursday against the United States in the semifinals, makes the All-Star team in his first year in MLS. As a midfielder/defender with the Fire, Guerrero has scored two goals and registered four assists in 18 games so far this season.
Midfielder Brad Davis also makes his first-ever appearance in the MLS All-Star Game in his first year with the San Jose Earthquakes after an offseason trade from FC Dallas. After 14 games played in 2005, Davis is tied for the League lead with eight assists. The 24-year-old caps off a memorable week which also saw him score the clinching penalty kick for the United States on Sunday to help capture the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Clarke also announced today that FC Dallas defender Greg Vanney will captain the MLS side on Saturday.
Fulham FC has added defender Dean Leacock and midfielder Michael Timlin to their roster and the two players joined the team in Columbus, Ohio late on Monday.
