WASHINGTON, DC - Dema Kovalenko was named Monday as a reserve for the Eastern Conference team that will take the field this Saturday, July 31st at RFK Stadium for the 2004 Sierra Mist All-Star Game. D.C. United Head Coach Peter Nowak will lead the Eastern Conference in this year's East vs. West showdown as they attempt to re-assert a 3-1-1 inter-conference edge against their league counterparts, whose efforts will be spearheaded by L.A. Galaxy Head Coach, Sigi Schmid. The match, set to be televised live on ABC Sports at 2:00 p.m. EDT, will be preceded by a Celebration Game featuring MLS USA Legends versus the MLS World Legends.
"Dema is very deserving of this honor," said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. "For a player that gives so much for his team, it is nice to see Dema earn this individual accolade."
Kovalenko, who ranks third on United with ten points (two goals, six assists) this season, replaces former Black-and-Red star Bobby Convey on the roster following last week's transfer of Convey to English club Reading FC. He will be making his third All-Star Game appearance in four years after earning selections in 2001 and 2002 while playing with the Chicago Fire. Since joining the Black-and-Red last season, the Indiana University product has become a notable face in United's midfield, where he has terrorized opponents with his unmatched fervor and relentless style of play. Joining Kovalenko on the Eastern Conference reserves will be teammates Alecko Eskandarian, Ben Olsen, and Freddy Adu. Jaime Moreno and Ryan Nelsen were selected to the team's first XI.
The 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game featuring MLS All-Stars, as well as the MLS Celebration Game honoring the legacy of the 1994 World Cup offers six levels of ticket pricing, ranging from $25 to $50 for individuals, and $16 to $40 for groups of varying sizes. Tickets are on sale now. Group Sales information is available by calling D.C. United at (202) 587-5000; or visiting www.dcunited.com online and RFK Stadium advance sales during all D.C. United home games. Individual tickets can be obtained through TicketMaster - (202) 432 - SEAT (metro D.C.); (410) 481 - SEAT (Baltimore & MD); (703) 573 - SEAT (Virginia); or online at www.ticketmaster.com and at all TicketMaster outlets including HECHT's, Tower Records and at RFK Stadium.
The 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Weekend is an extravaganza of soccer-themed events and programs, all of which aim to pay tribute to the past, present and future of American soccer. Through clinics, on-field presentations, pre-game and halftime ceremonies, "Soccer Celebration" events for families and youth, player autograph sessions and more, MLS and Sierra Mist will recognize the importance of youth participation as the future of our sport.
In addition to the 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, which will be televised at 2:00 p.m. ET on ABC Sports live from Washington, D.C.'s RFK Stadium, MLS on Friday unveiled the rosters for the MLS USA Legends and MLS World Legends that will play in the Celebration Game. MLS honors the tradition, history and pioneers of modern professional soccer in the United States by hosting the match, which will largely feature U.S. and international players who participated in the 1994 World Cup and then went on to play in MLS. The Celebration Game will kick off at 12:30 p.m. ET, with two 25-minute halves divided by a 10-minute halftime.
The 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game features two 45-minute halves, divided by a 15-minute halftime period. Should the game end tied after regulation, there will be NO overtime or penalty kicks. Each team will be allowed six substitutes, while re-entry WILL be permitted in the event of injury.</p>
