By William Bretherton

wbretherton@ cherokeetribune.com

When the WPS All-Star Game kicks off June 30 at the brand-new KSU Soccer Stadium, there will be a handful of familiar faces in the starting lineups.

A league-best five Atlanta Beat players were among the list of 22 starters announced Wednesday. The distinct hometown flavor on the sidelines is something the team hopes will drum up ticket sales for the mid-week game.

"You look at the group of players that are coming, and there are many massive names on there," Beat general manager Shawn McGee said. "From Marta, to Shannon Boxx to Abby Wambach - much less the players on our team - there are some great players on this list. This is the best league in the world because there are recognizable names on there. A lot of them are the best in the world at their positions, and I think it will be exciting for our fans."

Atlanta's five starters include goalkeeper Hope Solo, defender Tina Ellertson, midfielder Lori Chalupny and forwards Eniola Aluko and Ramona Bachmann. Bachmann is the only one of the five who has spent the whole season with the Beat. The other four were free-agent signees from the defunct Saint Louis Athletica franchise.

"Obviously, Ramona is the only one that has been with us for the duration," Beat coach Gareth O'Sullivan said. "However, it shows us the caliber of the players that we brought in with five on the all-star team.

"I think it's exciting for us to be able to host the event. There is still a long way to go in this season. It's early for an all-star game, but I think the voting is probably a true representation of who the best players are."

The Washington Freedom's Wambach was the top vote-getter, with FC Gold Pride's Marta second. The two will serve as team captains and, two days before the game, will make alternating picks of the other 10 starters.

The Beat's Aluko and Solo were also among the top 10 vote-getters. Voting was split into 25-percent portions among four groups: players, coaches, media and fans.

"I think that's even more of an honor to be honest," said Solo, who was third in the fans' votes. "The fans have always been behind me. I play for many reasons, and one of those reasons is the fans. They expect great play and a good atmosphere, so it's good to have the all-star game here in Atlanta.

"This all-star game should be better than last year with team captains being able to choose teams. I think it should be really competitive."

Filling out the starting lineups will be goalkeeper Karen Bardsley (Sky Blue FC) and defenders Rachel Buehler (FC Gold Pride), Allison Falk (Philadelphia), Amy LePeillbet (Boston), Brittany Taylor (Sky Blue FC) and Cat Whitehill (Washington).

In the midfield, FC Gold Pride's Boxx will be joined by Sonia Bompastor (Washington), Kristine Lilly (Boston), Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia), Heather O'Reilly (Sky Blue FC), Kelly Smith (Boston) and free agent Aya Miyama.

Miyama became a free agent when Saint Louis folded and has yet to agree to terms with another WPS team. If she is not claimed by a team by Friday, her spot will be taken by the next-highest vote-getter.

Boston's Lauren Cheney and FC Gold Pride's Christine Sinclair will start at forward.

WPS commissioner Tonya Antonucci will name the reserves later this month. Philadelphia coach Paul Riley will lead Wambach's side, with FC Gold Pride coach Albertin Montoya leading Marta's side.

Tickets to the all-star game have not sold out yet according to McGee, but the team is anticipating a larger crowd than a regular-season game, even though the game will be played in the middle of the week on a Wednesday.

"We are not sold out yet, but I know that we will," McGee said. "We'll work hard to make that happen. We want to have a great game and get a packed house as much as we can. We think that it's a great chance to get our stadium noticed on a nationwide scale."