The MLS All-Star squad features players hailing from a half-dozen nations, but the starting back line against Celtic FC will have a distinctly domestic flavor.
In Jonathan Bornstein, Jimmy Conrad and Michael Parkhurst, MLS All-Stars coach Steve Nicol has selected three unique defenders who all logged extended duty with the United States this summer. While Conrad has become one of the Yanks' more experienced central defenders, Bornstein and Parkhurst are new arrivals on the international scene - both earned their first caps this year - who gained invaluable experience in the Gold Cup and Copa America tournaments.
For Bornstein, taking on a high-profile club like Celtic is an unexpected bonus after being baptized by fire in several pressure-cooker matches against the likes of Mexico, Argentina and Paraguay.
"If you compare it to the summer I've had, it's like the icing on the cake -- but I don't want to say that because you can keep adding layers to the cake," said the 2006 MLS Rookie of the Year. "This is great. I'm very excited to be here, representing Chivas [USA] in the All-Star Game. Obviously it's only my second year on that team, which is amazing for me -- I never would have expected that honor, but I'll take it, definitely."
Parkhurst actually had his choice of national team uniforms this spring. He holds an Irish passport on account of his grandparents' citizenship, but he turned down an invitation to join Steve Staunton's squad when U.S. coach Bob Bradley came calling. The Rhode Island native says that his allegiance was never really in doubt.
"Ireland was something that a possibility because of the passport, but I wasn't really too keen on playing for Ireland yet," he said. "I wanted to wait and see what was going to happen with the U.S., to see if I got a chance. If I hadn't gotten a chance in the next couple of years with the U.S., then maybe I would play for Ireland before it was too late. I'm just glad a got a chance with the U.S."
He and his back line mates now face the tall task of getting in sync despite limited preparation before Thursday night's match.
"It's always tough to bring 11 guys who haven't played together and stick them on the field after maybe one practice," said Parkhurst after the All-Stars' light training session on Wednesday morning. "But we all know the game of soccer and obviously the guys have proven themselves in the league, otherwise they wouldn't be here."
While the left-footed Bornstein will undoubtedly patrol his usual side of defense, his defensive mates are both center backs by nature and one will have to shift over to the right side - though it's still unclear who will make the move.
"I don't know for sure what it's going to be," said Parkhurst. "I'm hoping I'm in the middle, but I'm sure Jimmy wants to be in the middle as well. Whichever way it works out, it doesn't really matter. With three in the back we're not really getting forward that much."
Parkhurst's New England squad often uses the 3-5-2 formation, but it will require some adjustment for Bornstein and Conrad, whose clubs typically line up in a 4-4-2.
"I'm not too worried," said Bornstein. "You've got more players in front of you in the midfield, so obviously you have a little bit more cover if you need that wide guy to drop back. But I'm just going to try to play the same game I play - defense is defense."
Celtic are still in the early stages of their preseason, but Conrad is confident that the Hoops will match the All-Stars' intensity once the opening whistle sounds.
"On the whole, we expect an honest effort," said the Kansas City Wizards veteran. "They might come in and not take it as seriously initially, but I've been a professional player long enough [to know] that after 10 or 15 minutes, if somebody gives you a good kick, your pride kicks in and you start to pay attention and want to play."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
