MLS Cup Arrives Wednesday

Don Garber, David Miller, Tom Anselmi

NEW YORK (Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010) – MLS Cup 2010 activities kick-off in Toronto this Wednesday, Nov. 17, when the Philip F. Anschutz championship trophy, which will be presented to the winner of MLS Cup 2010, makes its official arrival into the downtown core.   The trophy will arrive at Maple Leaf Square escorted by officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as well as MLS Ambassadors and Canadian MLS Cup winners Dwayne De Rosario and Geoff Aunger.

RELATED: MLS to visit SickKids Wednesday

Created by Tiffany & Co, the sterling-silver trophy and its entourage will be joined upon arrival by Toronto Mayor David Miller, who along with local soccer fans and a student brass band from the University of Toronto, will welcome the famed hardware to Canada in a festive celebration. 

This year marks the first time MLS Cup will take place outside the United States. The Philip F. Anschutz Trophy will be presented after the championship match on Sunday, November 21 at BMO Field in Toronto at 8:30 p.m. ET. The game, featuring FC Dallas vs. the Colorado Rapids, will be televised live on TSN2 in Canada, ESPN and Galavision in the United States, as well as in 166 other countries around the world.

WHAT:
Official arrival to Toronto of MLS’ championship trophy

WHO: 
David Miller - Toronto Mayor
Dwayne De Rosario – Four-time MLS Cup winner and current Toronto FC star
Geoff Aunger – first Canadian to win MLS Cup (1999 with DC United)
Officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
University of Toronto Faculty of Music Brass Octet

WHEN:
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 11:00 a.m. ET

WHERE:
Maple Leaf Square, Toronto (15 York Street at Bremner Blvd and York Street, Adjacent to Air Canada Centre)

WHY:   
To kick-off MLS Cup 2010 festivities and officially welcome the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy to Toronto

Photo/Video Opportunities:
•    The trophy hoisted by Canadian MLS Cup winners and RCMP officers
•    Toronto Mayor David Miller and fans welcoming the trophy
•    Local soccer fans posing for photos with the trophy and commenting on the upcoming game
•    Soundbytes from invited guests
•    Shots of trophy after event

NOTES TO MEDIA:
•    Please arrive no later than 10:45 a.m. ET. 
•    In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside the Air Canada Centre.

About the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy:
The MLS Cup trophy is named for soccer visionary Philip F. Anschutz. The trophy reflects the traditions of the game, while providing a dynamic and forward-looking design. Since 1996, the MLS Cup championship trophy has been presented as a symbol of the highest achievement in North America’s top-flight professional soccer league.

The sterling silver trophy, created by Tiffany & Co., is 24” tall with an additional seamless base of 4 5/8”. The trophy features fluid and dynamic handles that include 11 facets on the front and back, symbolizing the 22 players that participate in a soccer match. The gold star represents the championship club, which often incorporates a star into its team crest for each MLS Cup title it wins. 

First introduced in 2008, the trophy inherits select design elements from the previous two trophies, thereby honoring the League’s history while moving forward. The bottom of the Philip F. Anschutz trophy features a map of North America, with a star identifying the location of each MLS market.