2012 MLS All-Star Game: PPL Park To Host

The MLS announced earlier today that Philadelphia will host the 2012 MLS All-Star Game which will be played on July 25 at 8 p.m. at PPL Park (via MLS Soccer).

The international team that will meet the MLS All-Stars has not yet been announced by the league. Last season, the All-Stars met English Premier League side Manchester United at Red Bull Arena. Nobody should have any trouble finding an outlet to watch the match.

The 2012 event will be broadcast on ESPN2, Galavision or TeleFutura and TSN and RDS, while ESPN International will provide live coverage of the event in more than 100 countries around the world and ESPN3 and WatchESPN carry the game online in the United States.

Philadelphia Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz thanked the league and the fans of the Union in a statement

"Since Philadelphia Union came to the region two years ago, the soccer fans in this area have shown that they are among the most passionate and authentic in the country," he said in a statement. "It's a tremendous honor for us to host the MLS All Star game and reward the fans with yet another memorable experience at PPL Park."

MLS commissioner Don Garber was at City Hall in Philadelphia for the announcement today. In his statement he said

"Philadelphia has become a destination for hosting major soccer events in recent years, and we are pleased to bring the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game to a region with incredibly passionate soccer supporters," Garber said. "The Sons of Ben and the rest of the Union fans will provide an enthusiastic home-field advantage at PPL Park, and we look forward to celebrating our sport with this vibrant soccer community."

The 2012 MLS All-Star game will mark the first time that an All-Star game has been played in the Philadelphia area since the NBA held their event in Philadelphia in 2002. The MLS All-Stars are 5-3 against international opponents.