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SANDY -- Sports fans in the state of Utah have a unique opportunity Wednesday night when Rio Tinto Stadium will host the best players in major league soccer, taking on one of the best soccer clubs in Europe, Everton FC.
Head coach of the MLS All-Stars Dominic Kinnear says, "I think the most important thing is that we take this event very serious and we look to win this game. The MLS has done well in the past against some great competition over the years. It's important that we have the attitude to continue that success."
MLS Commissioner Don Garber agrees that the competition is excellent. "Everton is a great team," Garber says. "They were in the FA Cup final last year and lost to Chelsea."
Everton finished 5th last year in the English Premiere League which is widely considered to be the best soccer league in the world.
Everton features Tim Howard who is the goalkeeper for the U.S. National Team.
"I enjoy coming back. I enjoy doing my preseason here," Howard says. "To do another week to 10 days with the guys in my own country working hard and enjoying ourselves. I always enjoy myself."
RSL Midfielder Kyle Beckerman will join Javier Morales and Will Johnson on the MLS All-Star roster. He can't wait to play in his first All-Star game in front of his own fans.
"They're really going to take it in," says Beckerman. "I'm sure they're going to show us a lot of support. They'll even put down their Salt Lake scarf for a minute and cheer for guys they sometimes wouldn't cheer for."
E-mail: jjensen@ksl.com
