The best of Major League Soccer will take on a formidable opponent in the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game on Thursday, as Scottish side Celtic FC has sent a talented side to Commerce City, Colo., for the encounter at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
coach Gordon Strachan has many weapons in his arsenal and a nice mix of veterans and young players looking to earn a win in preseason play to gain momentum heading into the marathon Scottish Premier League season. Several World Cup veterans are on the roster that has journeyed to the United States, including Danish midfielder Thomas Gravesen and Poland's Artur Boruc (goalkeeper) and Maciej Zurawski (forward).
Perhaps the man Steve Nicol's MLS side will be most wary of, though, is Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. Aside from having one of the most unique names in world soccer, the Dutchman has also proven to be one of the most efficient when it comes to scoring goals. The former FC Twente and PSV Eindhoven man finished as Celtic's top scorer with 18 goals last season, despite being significantly hampered by injury. At 6-2, 187 pounds, Vennegoor is a deadly presence in the penalty area but is also quite comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Also in the forward ranks is Scotland international Kenny Miller, who made headlines across his native land last season when he became one of a only a handful of players to suit up for both Celtic and the club's cross-town rivals Rangers. Current Toronto FC head coach Mo Johnston was the first man to break that barrier. Miller had a solid season for Celtic last year with important goals in the league, Scottish Cup and UEFA Champions League.
The Celtic midfield is anchored by Gravesen, who has earned 64 caps for the Danish national team. Other midfielders likely to factor into Thursday's game include Jiri Jarosik and Massimo Donati, one of Strachan's big signings this season.
Jarosik is a former English Premier League champion as he once plied his trade with 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game opponents Chelsea FC. He has also made 20 appearances for the Czech national team. Donati joined Celtic in June from AC Milan. Still only 26, the Italian has bounced around his native land on various loan spells since debuting with Milan's first team at 20 and is looking to make an immediate impact for his new club.
Guinea's Bobo Balde is a towering presence in Celtic's defense, standing at 6-3 and weighing in at over 200 pounds. He has won countless honors for the Hoops since arriving at the club from Tolouse in 2001 when he immediately became a fan favorite. Other notable names in the back line are Englishman Lee Naylor Scotland's Stephen McManus.
Japanese star Shunsuke Nakamura, who is with his national team at the Asian Cup, will not be in action Thursday, nor will young defender Darren O'Dea of Ireland. The 20-year-old emerged from the Celtic youth academy to become a regular in the back, but he has not made the trip for the club. Also not taking part in Thursday's game is Dutch holding midfielder Evander Sno.
Celtic will become the fourth international club to take on the MLS All-Stars Thursday (9 p.m. ET; ESPN2, TeleFutura) at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The All-Stars carry a perfect 3-0-0 record into the contest, having defeated Mexico's CD Guadalajara (2003), and England's Fulham FC (2005) and Chelsea (2006).
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
