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All-Star Game at Rapids' new stadium may have Beckham

Alan Pearce, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 26, 2007 at midnight

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Soccer legends are headed to Colorado in the summer for the 12th Major League Soccer All-Star Game, including Scottish power Celtic FC and, perhaps, international star David Beckham.

MLS confirmed at a Thursday news conference the Rapids will play host to this year's All-Star Game, on Thursday, July 19, at their new 18,000-seat stadium in Commerce City, Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

The league's All-Stars will play against Celtic, a club established in 1887.

There is a faint hope Beckham, recently signed to a five- year contract by the Los Angeles Galaxy thought to be worth $50 million, will be ready to play.

The English midfielder is with Spanish club Real Madrid and supposedly was planning to start playing for the Galaxy in August, although that seems to be an ever-changing situation.

"He's free of his contract on July the first," MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis said. "We are talking to him about exactly when he'll be available."

All-Star Game participants are chosen by a vote of fans, media, players, coaches and general managers. Beckham still can be picked without playing a minute of the season because commissioner Don Garber annually adds two extra players to the roster.

"I'll leave you to speculate as to whether he'll get selected," Gazidis wryly said at the news conference.

Celtic is the reigning champion of Scotland's Premier League and one of the best-supported clubs in the world. Celtic draws more than 57,000 fans a game and has scores of fan clubs in North America.

Still, foreign teams have been unable to beat MLS All-Star squads, partly because they generally haven't yet started their seasons while the MLS players are in midseason form. The All-Stars have beaten CD Guadalajara, Fulham FC and Chelsea FC in previous seasons.

"We are actually in a very unique position to be able to have not just an exhibition game but actually a meaningful game," Gazidis said. "(It's) more than just bragging rights to a state but real pride. Pride in our league, in our ability to compete with the best in the world."

The game will be played on a Thursday, Gazidis said, because Celtic's schedule is so tight it is impossible play on a weekend.

All-Star Game tickets are available only to Rapids season-ticket holders.

Managing director Jeff Plush said the team has had an 84 percent renewal rate, a number bolstered by the opening of the new stadium and the All-Star Game, which has been set for months but not announced until Thursday.

MLS All-Star Game

• When: 7 p.m. July 19.

• Where: Dick's Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City.

• Previous sites: Giants Stadium, Meadowlands, N.J. (1996, 1997); Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla. (1998); Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego (1999); Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio (2000, 2005); Spartan Stadium, San Jose (2001); RFK Stadium, Washington (2002, 2004); Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif. (2003); Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill. (2006).

• TV: ESPN2.

• Tickets: Available only through purchase of a Rapids season-ticket package, which costs $270 to $540. Information: 303-825-GOAL (4625) or Colorado Rapids.com.

or 303-892-5352