Toronto will host 2008 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game
20/07/2007 |
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Major League Soccer awarded Toronto the right to host the 2008 Sierra Mist All-Star Game next July. The game will be played at BMO Field, the home of Toronto FC, which is receiving tremendous fan support in its inaugural season in MLS. The date of the game, and a world-class international opponent, will be announced in the future. MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the announcement alongside Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, owner of Toronto FC. The news comes on the eve of this year's All-Star game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, home of Colorado Rapids.
"Toronto's response to the arrival of MLS has been nothing short of extraordinary and that is a credit to the excellent leadership of MLSE," Garber said. "Clearly, BMO Field will provide a vibrant and enthusiastic setting for the 2008 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game. We are excited to partner with MLSE and the passionate soccer fans in Toronto to hosting this memorable display of the world's game."
For the fifth time, the All-Star Game will feature the best players in MLS against a high-profile international opponent. It is the most compelling and competitive All-Star format in North American professional sports and generates interest in many countries around the globe. Fans traveled to this year's All-Star Game from several different states and countries and the game is being broadcast live on ESPN2 and Galavision.
"Toronto's passionate and knowledgeable fans have embraced MLS and hosting the 2008 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game provides a terrific stage to showcase Major League Soccer's exciting product," said Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. "This two-day event will make a significant contribution to profiling our world-class city in more than 100 countries, while providing a strong economic injection to tourism."
BMO Field, located at Exhibition Place near downtown Toronto, is Canada's first soccer-specific stadium. With a capacity of 20,000 BMO Field is home to the Canadian National Soccer Team as well as Toronto FC, Canada's first Major League Soccer team. BMO [prounounced BEE-mo] Field is also used for community soccer purposes, corporate functions and concerts and is one of the host venues for the third most watched sporting event in the world, the FIFA U-20 World Championships in July 2007.
The MLS All-Stars won the first three meetings against international opponents, outscoring them 8-2. In 2006, the MLS All-Stars defeated two-time defending Premier League Champions Chelsea FC, 1-0, on a goal by Houston Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario. In 2005, the MLS All-Stars defeated English Premier League club Fulham FC, 4-1, at a sold out Columbus Crew Stadium and in 2003, the MLS All-Stars downed storied Mexican club CD Guadalajara, 3-1, at The Home Depot Center with Carlos Ruiz capturing MVP honors.
Pepsi and Sierra Mist continue to support soccer in the United States by being the title sponsor of the MLS All-Star Game for the seventh consecutive year. Pepsi has been a corporate partner with MLS since the league's inaugural season in 1996.
Ticket information will be available in the coming weeks through www.torontofc.ca, the official Web site of Toronto FC.
(Source: Sportsbusinessnews.com)
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