Topps and Major League Soccer Unveil 2014 MLS Trading Cards

NEW YORK - March 31, 2014 - PRLog -- The Topps Company, Inc. and Major League Soccer today launched the 2014 Topps ® MLS Soccer card set, the most comprehensive and engaging soccer trading card product ever in North America. The product will showcase a unique combination of current MLS stars, American soccer legends and Mexican National Team players.

The collection’s primary autograph subsets are “Icon Autographs” and “MLS Maestros.” The Icons will highlight the personalities that brought enormous popularity to the sport of soccer in the 1990s when the United States was awarded World Cup 1994. MLS and American soccer legends including Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, Tab Ramos and Cobi Jones are included. The Maestros feature autographs of MLS’ current-day stars including Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Marco Di Vaio (Montreal Impact), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) and Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City).

The “24 Under 24” autograph subset will feature the young stars of MLS including Diego Fagúndez (New England Revolution), Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Jack McInerney  (Philadelphia Union) and Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers).

Some of the most unique aspects of the set are its trading card backs, which will feature analytical statistics never before seen in the industry. Topps, in partnership with Bloomberg Sports, will present exciting new statistical information in an engaging manner.

“The growth of Major League Soccer as a League and soccer as a sport are unparalleled in North America over the last decade and we have developed a product that we know soccer fans of all levels will enjoy collecting,” said Zvee Geffen, Topps MLS Brand Manager. “The league and the game are both gaining tremendous momentum heading into this summer’s World Cup and this is a great opportunity to showcase everything that MLS has to offer. There is something here for everyone.”

At the international level, 2014 Topps® MLS Soccer will include “World Stage Cards,” which will feature current MLS players likely to appear in this summer’s World Cup, including Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) and Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake).

The set will also showcase the first-ever Topps cards of Mexican National Team stars including Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Giovani dos Santos.

2014 Topps® MLS Soccer is available at retail outlets now, with several upcoming MLS club promotions to be announced in the coming weeks.

About The Topps Company, Inc.

Founded in 1938, Topps is the leading creator and marketer of sports and related cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery. Topps entertainment products include the NFL, MLB, UFC, MLS, WWE and other trading cards, sticker album collections, and collectible games. The Company's confectionery brands include Bazooka® bubble gum, Ring Pop®, Push Pop®, Baby Bottle Pop® and Juicy Drop ® Pop lollipops. For additional information, visit Sports Cards and Entertainment Cards at Topps.com and follow us on facebook at facebook.com/Topps, on twitter @Toppscards, and now on Instagram @ToppsSports.

About Major League Soccer

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. Major League Soccer’s 19th season features 19 clubs each playing 34 regular-season matches. Those clubs include the Chicago Fire; Chivas USA; Colorado Rapids; Columbus Crew; D.C. United; FC Dallas; Houston Dynamo; Montreal Impact; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; Philadelphia Union; Portland Timbers; Real Salt Lake; San Jose Earthquakes; Seattle Sounders FC; 2013 MLS Cup Champion Sporting Kansas City; Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Expansion teams New York City FC and Orlando City Soccer Club will begin play in 2015. For more information about MLS, log on to the league’s official website at www.MLSsoccer.com.

Contact: Joe Favorito/917-566-8345

Fatherknickerbocker1@yahoo.com

Sean Dennison/ 212-450-1223

Sean.dennison@MLSsoccer.com