Major League Soccer announced on Friday the 19-man roster that will travel to Spain to face off with legendary club Real Madrid on Tuesday in the annual Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu. Fans in the U.S. can tune in to see the MLS Select Team take on some of the best players in the world in Real's traditional first game of the new season for the club, as Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español will provide live coverage at 3:30 p.m. ET.
All 12 Major League Soccer teams are represented on the MLS Select Team, which will convene in the Spanish capital following this weekend's league action. New England Revolution head coach Steve Nicol will oversee a side made up of 13 U.S. players and six international stars, with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis also joining the contingent.
Nicol will have three of his regulars at his disposal, the Revs contributing the most players to the MLS Select Team. Goalkeeper Matt Reis, midfielder Shalrie Joseph and midfielder Clint Dempsey will represent the Eastern Conference leaders. The San Jose Earthquakes, who currently sit atop the Western Conference, will send midfielder Ricardo Clark.
Other highlights on the roster include Los Angeles Galaxy and U.S. national team star Landon Donovan, MetroStars midfielder and 1998 World Cup champion Youri Djorkaeff and current Budweiser Scoring Leader Jeff Cunningham of the Colorado Rapids. Reigning MLS Cup champions D.C. United will volunteer the services of two veterans, as Bolivian striker Jaime Moreno and goalkeeper Nick Rimando will make the trek across the Atlantic. Last year's Honda MLS MVP, Amado Guevara of the MetroStars, will also be available for selection next Tuesday.
All-time MLS leading goal scorer Jason Kreis, who became the first player in league history to hit the 100-goal plateau last week, will represent expansion side Real Salt Lake, while Costa Rica's Douglas Sequeira will make the trip for the league's other 2005 expansion team, Chivas USA.
First held in 1979 in honor of Real Madrid's legendary former president for whom the team's stadium is also named, the prestigious Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu has featured some of the biggest clubs in the world in years past. Liverpool (England), A.C. Milan (Italy), River Plate (Argentina), Ajax Amsterdam (Holland) and Santos (Brazil) have all played a part of the Trofeo in the past, though this year marks the first time an U.S. team will clash with the nine-time European club champions. Real Madrid will open their 2005-06 season on Aug. 28 at Cádiz.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
MLS SELECT TEAM (By Position):
GOALKEEPERS (2): Matt Reis (New England Revolution), Nick Rimando (D.C. United)
DEFENDERS (5): Jose Burciaga, Jr. (Kansas City Wizards), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids), Douglas Sequeira (Chivas USA)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Ricardo Clark (San Jose Earthquakes), Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution), Youri Djorkaeff (MetroStars), Amado Guevara (MetroStars), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Ronnie O'Brien (FC Dallas)
FORWARDS (4): Jeff Cunningham (Colorado Rapids), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Jason Kreis (Real Salt Lake), Jaime Moreno (D.C. United)
MLS SELECT TEAM (By Club):
CHICAGO FIRE (1): Justin Mapp
CHIVAS USA (1): Douglas Sequeira
COLORADO RAPIDS (2): Jeff Cunningham, Pablo Mastroeni
COLUMBUS CREW (1): Frankie Hejduk
D.C. UNITED (2): Jaime Moreno, Nick Rimando
FC DALLAS (1): Ronnie O'Brien
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS (2): Jose Burciaga Jr., Jimmy Conrad
LOS ANGELES GALAXY (1): Landon Donovan
METROSTARS (2): Youri Djorkaeff, Amado Guevara
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (3): Clint Dempsey, Shalrie Joseph, Matt Reis
REAL SALT LAKE (1): Jason Kreis
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (1): Ricardo Clark
Head Coach: Steve Nicol (New England Revolution)
Assistant Coach: Mo Johnston (MetroStars)
Team Doctor: Kai Mithoseser (U.S. Soccer Federation)
Athletic Trainer: Alfonso Flores (Chivas USA)
Equipment Manager: Clarence "Rusty" Wummel (New England Revolution)
