BY RIDGE MAHONEY The MLS All-Star Game at Spartan Stadium next week will be a going-away party for Quakes general manager Tom Neale. Metros GM Nick Sakiewicz confirmed today that Neale is joining the MetroStars’ parent organization, Empire Soccer Club LP, as its chief operating officer. He will start his new job Aug. 6. “I had heard he was interested in relocating to the East Coast and we started talking,” said Sakiewicz. “He’s a real top-notch guy. “He’ll oversee operations for us. We’re continually reshaping our front office to maximize our ticket sales and sponsorship and so the fit and timing timing were really good.” Neale is moving to the East Coast for personal as well as professional reasons. He and his fiancee, who works in New York, will be married in the fall. He played soccer at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. and was GM of the A-League New York Fever before being employed by San Jose. Neale, 31, joined the San Jose franchise in 1997 and was appointed GM last February when Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment, which owns and operates the NHL Sharks, took over operations of the Quakes. SVS&E executive Greg Elliott, who has been overseeing the Quakes’ operations, will assume some of Neale’s duties on an interim basis. An official announcement will be made Monday. Neale was traveling Friday and was not available for comment.