The final roster for the MLS All-Star side that will face reigning English Premier League champions Chelsea FC in the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game Saturday (6:30 p.m. ET; ESPN) was announced on Tuesday, including Ricardo Clark and Eddie Robinson, both of Houston Dynamo.
That pair will replace injured All-Stars Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy, hamstring strain) and Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids, knee strain). D.C. United and 2006 All-Star coach Peter Nowak called up the Houston pair to complete the 18-man roster that will take on the famed London club in the Chicago Fire's new home in Bridgeview, Ill., Toyota Park.
Clark makes his first trip to the All-Star Game during his fourth season in the league. He has started in all 20 of Dynamo's MLS games thus far, registering a pair of goals and a pair of assists from his central midfield position.
Robinson received the call thanks to some stellar play in Houston's back line, which allowed just 24 goals so far this season. The North Carolina native has played in 17 of the team's games, even getting involved in the offense to score two goals and provide three assists.
Nowak's 18-man active roster includes the 'First XI,' which used votes from fans, coaches and general managers, players and the media, as well as players named to the team by Nowak and his staff and two selections by MLS commissioner Don Garber. Additionally, replacement players were named for players unable to take part in the match due to injury or club commitments. No players from the New England Revolution or Chivas USA will take part in Saturday's contest, as those clubs are slated to meet the following day at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Fourteen players were named to the All-Star inactive roster on Tuesday, as well. Those include: Jose Burciaga (Kansas City Wizards), Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution), Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Facundo Erpen (D.C. United), Juan Pablo Garcia (Chivas USA), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Brian Mullan (Houston Dynamo), Ben Olsen (D.C. United), Ante Razov (Chivas USA), Matt Reis (New England Revolution), Carlos Ruiz (FC Dallas), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution) and Greg Vanney (FC Dallas).
Chelsea also have announced their 23-man roster that will face the MLS All-Stars. Worldwide stars such as Michael Ballack (Germany), Frank Lampard (England) and Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine) highlight a team that features some of the best players that took part in this summer's FIFA World Cup in Germany. A limited number of tickets to the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game remain and can be purchased online.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
