NEW YORK – Get ready for a new chapter in the history of the MLS All-Star Game, this time with a Cascadia twist.
Major League Soccer announced Wednesday that Portland’s JELD-WEN Field will be the site of the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, bringing the league’s midsummer showcase to the frenzied Pacific Northwest for the first time in the game’s history.
“The Portland Timbers and their passionate fans have certainly earned the honor of hosting the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. “This match will showcase to an international audience the incredible devotion to the game in the Pacific Northwest that serves as one of the most important stories for our league.”
The Timbers have sold out every MLS league match to date at JELD-WEN Field since their league debut in 2011, currently a string of 42 consecutive sellouts. The stadium also hosted a sellout crowd for the US national team’s opening match in the CONACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday night, the first time the USMNT has played in the Rose City since 1998.
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The opponent for next summer’s game will be announced at a later date.
“We are very pleased to host the national and international soccer community to Soccer City, USA, for the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game and its surrounding events,” said Timbers president Merritt Paulson in a statement. “This event will be the first major All-Star Game of any sport ever in Portland and the Timbers and our fans look forward to showcasing our fabulous city and JELD-WEN Field next summer.”
An exclusive pre-sale for Timbers season ticket holders, members of the Timbers Season Ticket Waiting List, Portland Thorns FC season ticket holders and club sponsors will be held at a date to be determined. A public on-sale date will also be announced at a later date.
Portland will be the 16th different city to host the MLS All-Star Game and JELD-WEN Field will be the 11th All-Star venue built or renovated for soccer.
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“Portland is a soccer town, pure and simple, and we are honored that our city has been chosen to host the 2014 AT&T MLS All-Star Game,” Portland Mayor Charlie Hales said in a statement. “Our reputation as Soccer City, USA, began in the 1970s with the original Portland Timbers and has been put on display for many other wonderful events over the years, including the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup and a recent CONCACAF Gold Cup doubleheader.
“We earn that reputation every time the thunderous cheers for the Timbers and Thorns FC roll out of JELD-WEN Field and wash over downtown Portland. And in the summer of 2014, we look forward to earning that reputation once again during Major League Soccer’s showcase summer event. RCTID!”
The MLS All-Stars will take on Serie A side AS Roma in the 2013 MLS All-Star Game on July 31 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan.
