World Cup Speakers Bureau Highlights Tools for Journalists

    
    Major League Soccer providing resources to journalists to help cover
    month-long tournament in South Africa





    
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<p>NEW YORK, <span class="xn-chron">June 11</span> /CNW/ -- The world's most popular sporting event, the FIFA World Cup, kicked off today in <span class="xn-location">South Africa</span> and the tournament is expected to elevate the popularity of soccer in the <span class="xn-location">United States</span> to levels never seen before.  To assist journalists in their coverage of the World Cup and the state of soccer in <span class="xn-location">North America</span>, <span class="xn-person">Major League</span> Soccer (MLS) is providing a variety of resources, including a World Cup Speakers Bureau, a digital media kit and staffing in <span class="xn-location">South Africa</span>.</p>
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<p>The 15-year-old professional soccer league is represented with 17 of the 23 U.S. World Cup team members who are either current MLS stars or previously played for MLS teams.  In addition, other MLS players will compete for national teams such as <span class="xn-location">Switzerland</span>, <span class="xn-location">Honduras</span> and <span class="xn-location">New Zealand</span>.  L.A. Galaxy midfielder <span class="xn-person">David Beckham</span> will serve as a member of England's technical staff as an Achilles injury is preventing him from participating for his country.</p>
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<p>For the first time in its 15-season history, MLS will not play League games during the group phase of the World Cup.  The group phase, which includes the first 48 games of the 64-game tournament, begins on <span class="xn-chron">June 11</span> and concludes <span class="xn-chron">June 25</span>.  The World Cup ends <span class="xn-chron">July 11</span> with the final match in <span class="xn-location">Johannesburg</span>.</p>
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    Tools provided to journalists to assist with their coverage include:

    --  Speakers Bureau - MLS has current players and alumni that have
competed
        in multiple World Cups, from Seattle's Kasey Keller (4 World Cups) to
        Kansas City's Jimmy Conrad (played in 1-1 U.S. draw vs. Italy in
2006).
        Also, Cape Town native Danleigh Borman of the New York Red Bulls can
        provide insight into South Africa.  To browse the Speakers Bureau,
        please CLICK HERE.

    --  Digital Media Kit - This 26-page digital publication provides
        information about Major League Soccer, the growth of soccer in North
        America, as well as current and former MLS players participating in
        this World Cup.  To view the online brochure, please CLICK HERE.

    --  South Africa Staff - MLS Director of Communications Will Kuhns is on
        the ground in South Africa for the month of June and available to
        assist journalists with interviews and insight.  Kuhns, a former
writer
        for the Washington Post and Soccer America, can be reached at
        011-27-835-415-134 in South Africa or [email protected].

    --  MLSsoccer.com In-Depth Coverage - A team of journalists based in South
        Africa and stateside will cover the tournament extensively at
        www.MLSsoccer.com, the League's official website.  Spanish content
also
        will be available at www.FutbolMLS.com.

    ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
    
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<p>Headquartered in <span class="xn-location">New York City</span>, <span class="xn-person">Major League</span> Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the <span class="xn-location">United States</span> and <span class="xn-location">Canada</span>.  MLS features many stars from the U.S., <span class="xn-location">Canada</span>, and around the world.  MLS kicked off its 15th season on <span class="xn-chron">March 25, 2010</span>. MLS features 16 clubs each playing 30 regular season matches in 2010.  Those teams include <span class="xn-location">Chicago</span> Fire; Colorado Rapids; Chivas USA; <span class="xn-person">Columbus Crew</span>; D.C. United; FC <span class="xn-location">Dallas</span>; <span class="xn-location">Houston</span> Dynamo; <span class="xn-location">Kansas City</span> Wizards; <span class="xn-location">Los Angeles</span> Galaxy; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; 2009 MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake; <span class="xn-location">San Jose</span> Earthquakes; <span class="xn-location">Seattle</span> Sounders FC; <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span> FC; and, in their inaugural season, <span class="xn-location">Philadelphia</span> Union.  Expansion teams in <span class="xn-location">Vancouver</span> and <span class="xn-location">Portland</span> will debut in 2011, and <span class="xn-location">Montreal</span> in 2012.  For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official Web site at MLSsoccer.com.</p>
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    MLSsoccer.com






    

For further information: MLS Communications: Lauren Brophy, [phone], [email protected], or Marisabel Munoz, [phone], [email protected], or Will Kuhns, 011-27-835-415-134 (mobile in South Africa), [email protected] Web Site: http://www.MLSsoccer.com