Italian Serie A side Roma were named on Thursday as the opponents for the top talent from Major League Soccer in the MLS All-Star Game on July 31 at the home ground of Sporting Kansas City.
The annual exhibition match will feature a top international club against talent pulled from around the North American league for the 10th time in its 18-year history. The MLS All-Stars have won six of the previous nine meetings.
"We look forward to playing against the best talent in MLS," AS Roma chief executive Italo Zanzi said.
"The All-Star game has proven to be a serious and competitive match and will be an important part of our preparation for next season."
Roma, who have won three Serie A titles and nine Italian Cups, have American owners.
"Playing in the MLS All-Star Game fits in perfectly with our initiatives in the United States such as our Disney partnership and growing youth academy system," said Roma president James Pallotta.
"Major League Soccer has done a great job building its All-Star Game into a top-tier event and we are proud to participate."
The Roma squad also features an American in the shape of midfielder Michael Bradley, a member of the US national team who began his career in MLS at the age of 16.
Roma will be the first Italian side in the MLS All-Star Game, which has previously featured English Premier League clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and Fulham.
Source: AFP
