MLS All-Star Game 2015: MLS All-Stars topple Tottenham 2-1

The MLS All-Stars toppled Tottenham Hotspur Wednesday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Colorado. The All-Stars have performed very well against British opponents in the past, going 4-2-1 against Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Manchester United and West Ham. This was probably the most star-studded MLS All-Star side in League history, featuring Kaka, David Villa, and Dax McCarty, as well as USMNT stars Clint Dempsey, Gyasi Zardes, Graham Zusi, DaMarcus Beasley, Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez, Nick Rimando, and Jozy Altidore.

In the 9^th minute Spurs forward Harry Kane had a direct shot on goal off of a deflected shot from Christian Erickson but All-Star keeper Nick Rimando managed to swallow it up. Just one minute later, the duo of Erickson and Kane tried again, this time off of a corner kick delivered by Erickson, but Kane’s header went wide of goal.

A lucky break came for the All-Stars in the 20^th, when a handball was called on Nacer Chandli off of a corner from David Villa. MLS All-Star captain Kaka took the PK shot, and although Spurs keeper Michel Vorm guessed correctly, it wasn’t enough, and Kaka sneaked it into the lower left corner of the goal.

All-Star keeper Nick Rimando further frustrated Harry Kane in the 23^rd, when Kane smashed a streaking strike in the middle of the goal, but a world class save by Rimando’s left foot preserved the MLS lead. Just a minute later, David Villa deflected a cross from Kaka perfectly into the left corner of the goal to put the All-Stars up 2-0.

The continuing adventures of Harry Kane and Nick Rimando resumed in the 34^th, when Kane directed another cross from Erickson on goal, which Rimando yet again deflected. Kane finally got his a minute later though, when Omar Gonzalez failed to keep him at bay on a counterattack, and Kane buried a looping shot in the top left corner that Rimando just couldn’t get to.

The second half was much less eventful, and the only real drama came when Josh Onamah served up a low shot on goal that substitute keeper David Ousted fell on top of.

DaMarcus Beasley was the only Houston Dynamo player to make the All-Star roster. He started the first half of the game and was subbed out at halftime when the entire lineup was changed out. The Houston Dynamo won’t get too much of a rest during this All-Star week, as they will resume action Saturday on the road at Sporting Park in Kansas City.

Scoring

MLS: Kaka (20’), David Villa (23’)

Tottenham Hotspur: Harry Kane (37’)

Lineups

MLS All Stars (4-4-2): Nick Rimando, Tony Beltran, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler, DaMarcus Beasley, Dax McCarty, Graham Zusi, Kaka, Gyasi Zardes, David Villa, Clint Dempsey

Tottenham Hotspur (4-5-1): Michel Vorm, Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Ben Davis, Eric Dier, Nabil Bentaleb, Mousa Dembele, Christian Eriksen, Nacer Chadli, Harry Kane

Disciplinary

Yellow: Eric Dier (36’)