Two ex-MLS stars join Cosmos vs. Manchester United

Brian McBride

Two former MLS players will feature alongside a host of international stars when the New York Cosmos take the field for the first time in more than 25 years and become the first American club to play at Old Trafford against Manchester United.


Brian McBride and Brad Friedel will join several of the biggest names in international soccer as part of the Cosmos’ 18-man squad for the Paul Scholes Testimonial Match which will be played on August 5 (2:30 pm ET, FOX Soccer).


The team will feature eight Cosmos Under-23 players and 10 former World Cup stars: Nicky Butt, Wayne Bridge, Sol Campbell, Fabio Cannavaro, Robbie Keane, Gary Neville, Míchel Salgado, Patrick Vieira, McBride and Friedel.


Among the names of the Under-23 players the Cosmos are taking on the trip are former Chicago Fire player Stefan Dimitrov (Bulgaria) and a member of last year’s US Soccer Development Academy’s Best XI, Marvin Iraheta.


Manchester United are currently two games into their five-match tour of the USA. They have come away with two wins against MLS opposition and prepare to face the Chicago Fire on Saturday as part of the Herbalife World Football Challenge. They will also be the MLS All-Stars’ opponents on July 27 before heading to FedEx Field to meet FC Barcelona in a rematch of the 2011 UEFA Champions League final on Saturday, July 30.