English Premier League
champions Manchester United are
in discussions with MLS to be
the team to take on the All-Stars this season.
United are believed to be in negotiations for a four or
five-match tour of the US this summer which could potentially
include playing the MLS
All-Stars at Reliant Stadium in Houston.
“We remain in discussions to bring a world-class opponent to
Houston to take on the MLS
All-Stars,” said Dan Courtemanche, the vice president of
communications for MLS and
Soccer United Marketing. “We have not finalized an agreement yet.
We just haven’t.”
And Courtemache said there was plenty of interest from several
clubs around the world to be involved in the match.
“The process for choosing an MLS All-Star opponent actually begins in the
fall,” Courtemanche added.
“We have relations with more than dozens or international clubs
in all the top leagues throughout Europe, South America and Mexico.
That’s a process that begins in the fall and we see who is
interested.
“And then we narrow it down to four or six prospective clubs
that make sense for the market and provides a compelling match-up
for MLS fans. Throughout the
years there have been many times we were close to teams and it
didn’t work out.”
United, who boast world-class superstars such as Wayne Rooney,
Dimitar Berbatov, Edwin van der
Sar, Ryan Giggs
and Michael Owen, are currently
sitting on top of the English Premier
League table and are also into the quarter-finals of
the European Champions League.