MLS All-Star team head coach Colin Clarke today selected Fire defender Ivan Guerrero as one of three players that 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 - 2:30 p.m. CT). Guerrero joins Colorado Rapids forward Jeff Cunningham and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Brad Davis as the injury replacements on the MLS side. Guerrero will remain in Chicago through Wednesday, when he is expected to be in the line-up for the Fire as it takes on Italian powerhouse A.C. Milan at Soldier Field in the second match of The World Series of Football, Presented by Samsung Mobile (8:00 p.m. CT, GolTV).
Guerrero, who started all five games for Honduras in its recent run in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals 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. From his role on the left side of the Fire line-up as both a midfielder and defender, Guerrero has scored two goals and registered four assists in 18 games so far this season. Guerrero was the only member of the "Men in Red" to play in and start the team's first 18 games this season, a streak that was halted only by his call-up to the "catrachos" for Gold Cup duty earlier this month.
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. 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, OH late on Monday.
