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Major League Soccer selects San Jose to host 2016 All-Star Game

The San Jose Earthquakes will host the 2016 MLS All-Star Game, the league announced on Thursday.

The game, which will match a team of MLS' best against a top international club side, will be played in San Jose's new Avaya Stadium and mark the second time the city has staged the event.

San Jose also hosted the game in 2001.

"We are pleased to bring the AT&T MLS All-Star Game to San Jose and know that Avaya Stadium and the Earthquakes' passionate supporters will provide a vibrant and electric setting for this marquee event," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber on Thursday.

"It will be 15 years since the last time San Jose hosted our All-Star Game, and the growth of the All-Star Game and festivities has mirrored the remarkable progress of the sport in North America.

"We look forward to celebrating our game with soccer fans throughout the Bay Area."

Earthquakes President Dave Kaval said: "This is a super exciting day for San Jose, for the Earthquakes. People know it's a great venue to watch soccer."

In addition to the game, the event will feature a number of community service opportunities, player appearances and concerts in the days that surround the showpiece.

The league similarly announced the Homegrown Game, which features the best of the clubs' youth products, will make a third straight appearance on the All-Star docket.

The 2015 game will be played on July 29, with the MLS All-Stars welcoming Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver.

The most recent edition took place in Portland, where the MLS All-Stars defeated Bayern Munich 2-1.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.