MLS ANNOUNCES 2012 ALL STAR GAME IN CHICAGO

The league has announced its 2017 contest will be held at Soldier Field with an opponent yet to be determined. MLS announced Tuesday that its 2017 All-Star Game will be held Aug. 2 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, the Chicago Fire played their home games at the stadium from their debut in MLS in 1998 through 2001, then again from 2003-2005. “The Chicago Fire is honored to join Major League Soccer and the City of Chicago in hosting the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Target," Chicago Fire owner Andrew Hauptman said at a media conference. "The game is a great opportunity to bring international attention to our city, league and soccer club and we are excited for the spotlight to be on historic Soldier Field this August for an amazing match between MLS’s best players and a prestigious international club. As the Chicago Fire marks its 20th anniversary season, we are pleased to count this marquee event as part of our season-long celebration of soccer in the Windy City and I am personally grateful to our host committee for joining us in welcoming the All-Star Game to Chicago.” Seattle Sounders sign Swedish midfielder Gustav Svensson The league did not announce an opponent yet for the contest, but MLS commissioner Don Garber said at the media conference it would be one of the world’s top clubs. "Last year we played Arsenal, the year before we played Bayern Munich, you could assume it will be one of the top five teams in the world," Garber said. The MLS side will be coached by Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic.