Real's Pope named to all-star team

Real Salt Lake's Eddie Pope definitely isn't going out on a high note with his club team, but at least the legendary defender, who's announced he's retiring at the end of the 2007 season, is going out an all-star.

Pope and fellow MLS original Cobi Jones were added to the 18-man MLS All-Star roster on Monday as MLS commissioner Don Garber made each his commissioner's picks. The MLS All-Stars will take on Scottish League champs Celtic FC at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Colorado on July 19.

"It is an honor to be selected to this year's all-star game as a commissioner's pick," Pope said. "With this being the last chance for myself and Cobi (Jones) to participate in the all-star game, I think it shows a lot of class on commissioner Garber's part to include us, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity he has provided."

This is Pope's MLS record 11th all-star selection, having been named an all-star every year but his rookie season in 1996. Pope was selected each of his first two seasons with Real Salt Lake, but was unable to participate each year.

Even though many might view Pope's inclusion as a type of lifetime-achievement award, that's only partially true. The veteran's overall play this year is one of very few bright spots for Real Salt Lake, and he'll be an asset to the all-star team.

"The all-star games recently have been very exciting because MLS has stepped up and brought in world-class teams to challenge ourselves against, and this year will be no different," Pope said. "I'm looking forward to participating in this year's event and am looking forward to facing off against another quality opponent like Celtic FC."

New England Revolution coach Steve Nicol, this year's all-star coach, made his five coaches additions to the lineup on Tuesday as well. He added Los Angeles' Landon Donovan, Houston's Brian Ching, Toronto's Ronnie O'Brien, Kansas City's Kevin Hartman and Colorado's Pablo Mastroeni.

The MLS starting 11 was announced last week. The starters were determined by voting from four sources, with each accounting for 25 percent of the votes: coaches/general managers, players, fans and media.

Houston's Dwayne DeRosario was the top vote-getter amongst fans, while New York's Juan Pablo Angel was the top vote-getter amongst media, coaches/general managers and players.

In last year's all-star showcase in Chicago, the MLS All-Stars picked up an impressive 1-0 victory over English Premier League club Chelsea on a second-half goal from DeRosario.