the second highest all-time goal scorer in the Premier League -- and Senegalese midfielder Papa Bouba Diop, who scored the game-winning goal to shock France in the opening match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan.
"As a club, we're very honored and very excited about the upcoming game," said Fulham Club Secretary Lee Hoos, a native of Maryland. "I couldn't think of a better venue and better competition to springboard into our season next year. This game will be a great for Fulham Football Club. It is very, very important to us for preseason to have a good game going into the season. This is the highlight game for us, this is the one we have put on the pedestal, this is the competitive game we need to springboard into next season and have a good season.
"Obviously we're delighted that we've been able to secure such a high profile fixture as part of our important preseason preparations and especially pleased that we'll be playing the best that the United States has to offer. We'll be expecting a tough game, no doubt, and there will be a lot of pride at stake on the pitch and it will give us a great platform on which to show what we're capable of against top class opposition before the new season kicks off."
Ticketing information for the 2005 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game has yet to be announced, though Crew Soccer Nation members (Crew season ticket holders) will get a priority offer before the tickets are available to the general public. Sale date information is expected to be announced in the near future.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
