The starting lineup for the MLS All-Star squad that will face English Premier League club Fulham FC at the 2005 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game will be unveiled on Wednesday, July 13 on Columbus ABC affiliate WSYX at 12 p.m. ET. The 2005 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game will take place Saturday, July 30 in Columbus Crew Stadium and will be televised nationally live on ABC Sports at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The MLS All-Star starting XI is determined by online fan balloting comprising 25 percent of the total vote, with MLS coaches and GMs (25 percent), media (25 percent) and players (25 percent) accounting for the remainder.
Fan balloting concluded on Friday, July 8 with fans voting on the League's official website, www.MLSnet.com, in record numbers with 1.6 million votes submitted. Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan led all players in fan votes (38.92 percent). FC Dallas' Eddie Johnson was the top vote getter among all forwards (21.89 percent), while Real Salt Lake's Eddie Pope led all defenders (27.07 percent), and Matt Reis of the New England Revolution received the most votes among goalkeepers (16.10 percent).
FC Dallas head coach Colin Clarke earned the honor of coaching the MLS side by virtue of leading his team to the highest point total in the League through Week 14. On Thursday, July 13, Clarke will select the five reserves who will join two other Commissioner's selections to comprise the 18-man MLS roster.
The 2005 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game offers four levels of ticket pricing, ranging from $25 to $45 for individuals. Tickets can be acquired at the Crew Stadium Box Office, at any area Ticketmaster outlet, via phone at 614-431-3600 or online at www.MLSNet.com or www.TheCrew.com. Group pricing is also available. For more information or to purchase group tickets call The Crew at 614-447-CREW.
HIGHLIGHTS OF FAN BALLOTING ON MLSNET.COM (concluded Friday, July 8)
Overall Voting Leaders:
(1) Landon Donovan - Los Angeles Galaxy - 38.82
(2) Clint Dempsey - New England Revolution - 27.41
(3) Eddie Pope - Real Salt Lake - 27.07
(4) Eddie Johnson - FC Dallas - 21.89
(5) Freddy Adu - DC United - 20.65
(6) Carlos Ruiz - FC Dallas - 19.35
(7) Taylor Twellman - New England Revolution - 17.22
(8) Matt Reis - New England Revolution - 16.10
(9) Cobi Jones - Los Angeles Galaxy - 15.34
(10) Ronnie O'Brien - FC Dallas - 15.25
Forward Voting Leaders:
(1) Eddie Johnson - FC Dallas - 21.89
(2) Carlos Ruiz - FC Dallas - 19.35
(3) Taylor Twellman - New England Revolution - 17.22
(4) Pat Noonan - New England Revolution - 14.31
(5) Jason Kreis - Real Salt Lake - 9.66
(6) Brian Ching - San Jose Earthquakes - 8.84
(7) Jaime Moreno - D.C. United - 8.66
(8) Josh Wolff - Kansas City Wizards - 6.71
(9) Alecko Eskandarian - D.C. United - 5.84
(10) Jovan Kirovski - Los Angeles Galaxy - 5.45
Midfielder Voting Leaders:
(1) Landon Donovan - Los Angeles Galaxy - 38.82
(2) Clint Dempsey - New England Revolution - 27.41
(3) Freddy Adu - D.C. United - 20.65
(4) Cobi Jones - Los Angeles Galaxy - 15.34
(5) Ronnie O'Brien - FC Dallas - 15.25
(6) Amado Guevara - MetroStars - 13.21
(7) Clint Mathis - Real Salt Lake - 12.17
(8) Eddie Gaven - MetroStars - 12.08
(9) Steve Ralston - New England Revolution - 11.65
(10) Guillermo Ramirez - Los Angeles Galaxy - 10.36
Defender Voting Leaders:
(1) Eddie Pope - Real Salt Lake - 27.07
(2) Frankie Hejduk - Columbus Crew - 14.25
(3) Chris Albright - Los Angeles Galaxy - 12.22
(4) Greg Vanney - FC Dallas - 11.09
(5) Mike Petke - Colorado Rapids - 9.84
(6) Michael Parkhurst - New England Revolution - 9.54
(7) Tyrone Marshall - Los Angeles Galaxy - 8.84
(8) Jeff Agoos - MetroStars - 8.47
(9) Jay Heaps - New England Revolution - 7.09
(10) Chad Marshall - Columbus Crew - 7.07
Goalkeeper Voting Leaders:
(1) Matt Reis - New England Revolution - 16.10
(2) Kevin Hartman - Los Angeles Galaxy - 11.91
(3) Scott Garlick - FC Dallas - 11.17
(4) DJ Countess - Real Salt Lake - 10.28
(5) Nick Rimando - D.C. United - 7.15
