HughE Dillon: MLS All-Star Game Party

Philadelphia Union players, Parisians and more turned out to celebrate the big soccer event.

Philadelphia hosts the 2012 Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game tonight at PPL Park, and while most of the soccer players who will be participating in the game were tucked away in bed, more than 1,000 of their friends, family members and supporters of the game were enjoying a pre-game party at the Art Museum last night. Anthony Cardillo, Alan Anivar, Mike Plunkett, Jason Freedman and Mark Evans toasted the game as Kay Kholer, from El Jimador, looked on.

Below: In town to sing the national anthem is season 10 American Idol contestant Pia Toscano (right) with Jillian Drucker (left), special events manager at Red Bull New York.

Below: Steven Noble, Adidas Group, Holly Kinser, president of the Kinser Group, John Hackworth, manager of the Philadelphia Union, and Dave Debusschere, EVP and CFO of Philadelphia Union.

Below: Union defenseman Sheanon Williams, Hanah Whalen, Antoine Hoppenot, Union forward, Molly Carroll and midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin.

Below: The Red Moon marketing team, Sara Scott, Mangus, Greg Luehrs, vice president at Red Moon Marketing, and Seth Wyatt. The Art Museum had these soccer balls all around, and as the night wore on, guests had little soccer matches on the pavement near the bus depot while waiting for the transportation back to their hotels.

Below: Sean McGovern, Kami Smith, director at Melillo Consulting, and Lyndon Campbell.

Below: Michael Schulson, chef/owner of Sampan, Nina Tinari, T2 Consultants, and Steve Rockman, Digital Strategy. I just ran into these folks last night at Sampan, which hosted the Feastival patron party. The 2012 Audi Feastival is September 12th, at Pier 9 again this year.

Below: Erin Grady, executive asst. to the commissioner of Major League Soccer, Alexi Lalas, Jonah Freedman, managing editor at Major League Soccer, and Jen Maurillo, VP of special events at Major League Soccer.

Below: Catherine Clawson, Rachael Masse, and Kristin Conrad, all from Capital Wine & Spirits. They loved the “Gauguin, Cézanne, and Matisse: Visions of Arcadia” exhibit, which is at the museum through September 3rd. I really have to get over there to see it myself.

Below: Michael Lahoud, midfielder for Philadelphia Union, Jimmy Conrad, former U.S. International player and current radio show host, and Chandler Hoffman, forward for Philadelphia Union.

Below: Brian Devuono and Carol Drumstas, Brown-Forman, were seen tapping their toes to DJ Fadelf, who was spinning the night away at the top of the grand staircase.

Before I knew it, it was the stroke of midnight, and the party was over. Now all eyes are on the game that kicks off tonight at 8:30 p.m. at PPL Park in Chester. David Beckham will be flying in from his London Olympic duties to play in the game against Chelsea. Below: Edgar Conde, Benjamin Khldi, Arnaud Leick, Damien Collin, all from France, are here to watch Collin’s brother play in the game. The guys told me they love Philly, especially its laid-back style, which is very much like the Parisian’s, Collin tells me. They also enjoyed Chinatown, and the entire Independence Park area and said the people of Philadelphia are very kind, and they were very excited we beat Britain in the war. Today they hope to take the tour of City Hall before they hit the game tonight. This is an exciting night for Philadelphia.