KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Major League Soccer today announced 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 on Saturday, July 30, in Columbus Crew Stadium. Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad was one of 11 starters selected to represent MLS in the mid-summer classic that will be broadcast live on ABC at 2:30 p.m. CT.
"It's a real honor to be selected and to represent the Wizards in the All-Star Game," said Conrad. "I think it should be a good match against Fulham and I'm excited to represent MLS and the Wizards."
Conrad, 28, will make his first ever start in a MLS All-Star game, and just his second career appearance following his All-Star debut in 2004. Last season he was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference squad, rewarding his efforts during what was a career year for the Temple City, California native. He followed up his first All-Star Game selection in 2004 by being named to the MLS Best XI and selected as a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year.
This season, Conrad has made 14 starts with one goal and one assist. He was named to the U.S. National Team roster that is currently competing in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He made his National Team debut just one week ago, playing the full 90 minutes and anchoring the U.S. defense in their 4-1 win over Cuba in their first match of group play. He has appeared in all three matches for the U.S. so far in the tournament, making two starts.
The starting XI for the 2005 MLS All-Star Game was determined by online fan balloting (25 percent), media votes (25 percent), players (25 percent), and MLS coaches and GMs (25 percent). On Thursday, July 14th MLS All-Star Head Coach Colin Clarke of FC Dallas will select five reserves that will join two other Commissioner's selections to comprise the 18-man MLS roster.
