MLS All-Star Game 2008
BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario
July 24, 2008
MLS All-Stars 3 – West Ham United 2
Ashton 26′ Gomez 27′ Blanco 45′ Ashton 67′ de Rosario 70′ (pen)
MVP: Cuauhtémoc Blanco
It’s really amazing that football have expanded to Toronto through the TFC franchise in 2007 which took place along with the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. This year is just as special because of this match that featured 3 Canadian internationals – Jim Brennan (Toronto FC), Pat Onstad and Scarborough’s Dwayne de Rosario (Houston Dynamo) – the various stars from different teams in the MLS which are quite amazing to watch and most of all, David Beckham who after 2 seasons have at last played in the BMO Field. Beckham missed playing in Toronto on his first season for LA Galaxy due to injury as well as in the 2nd season due to his responsibilities with the English national football team – despite his age of 33, he can still play well.
West Ham United is definitely not just going to sit around in this game. As the team being invited to this edition’s MLS All-Star Game, they were expected to play good football just like fellow English Premier League’s Eulham (2005) and Chelsea (2006) and the Scottish Premier’s Celtic FC (2007) who all lost to the All-Stars in the past 3 editions. West Ham would probably be delighted about this game because it’s among the series of pre-season games that will help them towards the upcoming new season of the Premier League which kicks off on August 16.
I was quite skeptical about the idea that it’s a lot more than a friendly during the pre-game interviews. But after seeing 3 yellow cards in the game and five amazing goals, the match was not too bad at all. The first two goals came in quite quickly at the 26th and 27th minute successively. West Ham’s Dean Ashton took advantage of the MLS defence which then converted to a goal. Christian Gómez of Colorado Rapids was able to answer with the equaliser a minute right after Ashton’s goal with a powerful shot from the right side of the box to the left side of the net. Cuauhtémoc Blanco scored a second goal for the All-Stars near the end of the half with a shot close to the net.
The second half was the time for the Canadians to shine but before that, Dean Ashton was able to level the game again with a shot that deflected on the MLS defence redirecting in an area on the net where Matt Reis was not able to anticipate. The game winner was from Canadian Dwayne de Rosario as he made a breathtaking penalty shot which hit the crossbar twice before it came in to the net.
David Beckham wasn’t really just standing around the game. He made about four great chances on goal through free kicks and attacks on the right side. He was also an amazing playmaker who accurately passes the ball to his teammates which later on becomes a really good goal opportunity. Still worth watching this guy I have to admit.
I really liked de Rosario’s long free kick which almost went into the net. It’s a skill I hope he would use when he is invited to represent Canada on international matches.
This match was just one of the thousands of games that I hope Torontonians will be following in the future not just in the MLS but also in the European leagues which will all start on August and as well as the others such as the South American and Asian Leagues.
Anyways, all the best for the MLS on the rest of the season and best of luck as well for West Ham United this coming August as they face the new league season with great competition ahead of them.
