Recent International tournaments have solidified soccer’s dominance on the global stage. What often goes overlooked is the sport’s growing popularity within North America as the MLS is in the midst of a rise in both attendance and television coverage. Upper Deck invites soccer fans to experience the “beautiful game” with 2012 Upper Deck Soccer trading cards featuring the best players in the MLS and the first-ever trading cards of popular striker Robbie Keane.



“Besides great color photography on the cards there are some compelling chase elements with game-used memorabilia cards and autograph cards inserted randomly into packs,” said Jason Masherah, Upper Deck’s vice president of Marketing & Business Development. “This season we will have landscape oriented cards appearing more frequently, providing more options for photo, name, and autograph placements, as well as intricate designed backgrounds to compliment the photo. This is our flagship soccer set and it has become a favorite for soccer collectors.”



Current Los Angeles Galaxy striker Robbie King highlights the incoming class of players included in Upper Deck’s newest collection, crossing the Atlantic after playing for English Premier League teams Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC. MLS stars such as Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), and Charlie Davies (DC United) are featured in Upper Deck’s newest soccer set.



With five great insert cards in every box on average, collectors are sure to be kept busy. Collectors will receive on average at least one autographed card and one multi-swatch or “Premium Series” game-used memorabilia card per box. Autographed MLS Marks, MLS Dual Marks and MLS Throwbacks are numbered up to 50.



Unique “National Pride” memorabilia cards feature three American players along with swatches from their game-used memorabilia numbered to just 65 copies. Super Draft cards include players such as top overall pick Andrew Wenger (Duke/Montreal Impact) and explosive forward Darren Mattocks (Akron/Vancouver Whitecaps).



For the first time ever, Upper Deck will be including special “Update Set” exchange cards that lucky collectors can redeem online to receive one of six different “Update Sets” consisting of veterans, rookies or transfers. This will allow collectors a chance to collect a set of the most prominent players to join the MLS or switch teams, further enabling collectors to follow their favorite players throughout their career.



Collectors can expect to find 12 cards per pack and 20 packs per box of 2012 Upper Deck Soccer. Get your packs today!



About Upper Deck



Upper Deck is the leading sports and entertainment trading card and Collectibles Company. For more information on Upper Deck and its products please visit www.upperdeck.com