MLS Soccer Schedule, Teams & All Star Game Preview: MLS All-Stars vs. Bayern Munich
Unlike other sports' All-Star games, Major League Soccer will bring a team from an outside league to play against their league's best players Wednesday night in Portland, Oregon. This year, the MLS All Stars will take on Bayern Munich from the Fußball-Bundesliga league.
Last year, the NFL tried to be creative with their All-Star game the Pro Bowl. They had captains Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice, both former NFL legends, pick players through a fantasy draft. In the past, the NHL had "North America vs. The World."
The MLS thought they'd get creative too. So, instead of just East vs. West like they did from 1996-1997, 1999-2001 and 2004, the MLS is now doing the "MLS vs. Guest" format. That guest had been Team USA and Guadalajara (2002 and 2003), but now since 2005 it has been teams from Europe.
Clint Dempsey, the U.S. national team captain and also an MLS player, doesn't like the format and wishes the MLS would go back to the East vs. West format.
The game may feature one of the last looks the public has to New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry. His career is nearing the end, and some think he will retire soon.
This is a preseason game for Bayern Munich and many of their players participated in the World Cup. Some players will limit their playing time or decide not to play because of this.
For the MLS All-Stars, it will be important to showcase their talents to the soccer world and represent the MLS to the entire U.S. against a talented Bayern Munich team.
The nationally televised game will take place Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. local in Portland) and can be seen on ESPN 2.
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