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MLS moves All-Star Game time to avoid conflict with Democratic Convention

By Jason Parker

Nov 1, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Soccer balls rest on the field prior to the game between D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Soccer balls rest on the field prior to the game between D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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The MLS is moving the start time of their July 28 All-Star Game to avoid a conflict with the keynote address of the Democratic National Convention.

This season, the top players in the MLS will hit the pitch inside Avaya Stadium, home of the San Jose Earthquakes, for the annual All-Star Game when they take on Arsenal. The game has been scheduled for a July 28 kickoff.

The game will still be played on that date, but fans will need to get to the stadium earlier than expected. MLS officials announced that the game will be played 90 minutes earlier (from 9 p.m. eastern to 7:30 p.m., or 4:30 p.m. local time) to avoid conflict with something that has nothing to do with soccer…or sports in general.

The Democratic National Convention will be holding their final night on that date, with the keynote speaker (and presidential ticket) taking the stage at the same time as the game would be kicking off.

MLS officials told Sports Illustrated that it was a natural move to avoid conflicting with an event that will be televised by over a dozen networks and will control that time slot:

"“A major event had been placed on the same day after we picked the 28th as our day for the All-Star Game,” said MLS senior vice president of media Seth Bacon. “Any time there’s an event that can draw viewers in like a convention can, it’s probably smart to do your best to avoid that window and give people the opportunity to watch it in that market and on TV.”"

MLS officials conferred with the Earthquakes and Arsenal before making the move (which will allow fans in England to watch the game earlier as well). The game will be televised in the United States on ESPN.

The Democratic National Convention will take place in Philadelphia, Pa. from July 25 to July 28, while the Republican National Convention will take place one week earlier (July 18-21) from Cleveland, Ohio.

For more MLS news, check out our MLS hub page.

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