OT: MLS vs Manchester United
ESPN2 right now. As someone not huge into soccer, I didn't realize the MLS All-Star has a winning record against foreign powers over the last few years. Manchester is on their preseason tour, and Manchester U is coming off a loss to Kansas City.
Discussion for those who may be watching, or bored.... whatever.
all stars vs Man Us guys who hardly ever see the field.
Exactly. That's why the MLS has won some of these in the past years.
It sucks they play their 3rd stringers.
Well, Giggs and Nani are occasional starters. They're basically not playing anyone who played in the world cup.
Sucks that Donovan and Buddle had a game yesterday (and that they comically got crushed by a Puerto Rican team).
These are just pre-season exhibitions for the European teams that come over. Top players often sit out and they are trying to incorporate new signings into the lineup and get into shape for the upcoming season without showing too much of their hand tactically.
On the flip-side, these are often the biggest games (in terms of ratings and attendance) that MLS teams that are right in the middle of their season will play all year. That is why the results are skewed in favor of the MLS teams and all-stars.
You're definitely right, but just about every player on the MLS All-Star team probably dreams of getting an offer to play for a team like Man U. The reverse is likely untrue.
26 seconds to score. Damn.
Nice finish of the gift from Macheda.
Ha. 1-0 ManU after 15 seconds.
Wow. 21 seconds in.
That was not impressive play in the back.
It's also one of the best clubs in the world playing against 23 players who have, and will, only play together for three days of their lives. National teams have hard times coming together, an all-star collection barely qualifies as a 'team'.
Edit: Sorry meant this to be a reply to the above comment about third stringers.
But on yet another hand, these games almost certainly mean a lot more to the MLS guys than the European juggernauts.
Actually I'm going to disagree with you. Man U's young players are playing for playing time, MLS's are in playoff hunts and international competitions. As fans, it means more to MLS, but as players it means more to Man U.
I disagree. The MLS has an image problem and the players and the league know it. The MLS and its players want to play these games and win them for positive attention and to secure their business future. They don't want to be embarassed by players struggling to get time on the field.
Some of the MLS players want to get noticed for a world cup team, a bigger contract or a freign team to buy them out.
The MLS wants this as bad as the kid trying to crack the Manchester starting line up.
I'd say our MLS has the advantage. It is in the US on home turf and our leagues best against their best team's 2nd and 3rd stringers.....except the EPL really is just that much better than the MLS.
I'm not going to say MLS doesn't have that advantage, or can sniff the EPL in talent. This is a friendly for both sides, and yes, MLS is embarrassing itself so far. As a big MLS fan, we in general think it's a little better than it actually is. The value comes in getting to watch live soccer, the play has made steady progress but still has to get better.
US soccer has improved for sure.
However, if the situation were exactly reversed...Wembly Stadium in London, the EPL all stars playing the Columbus Crew (without their top 6 or so players)...I'd bet on the EPL all stars to win big despite a lack of time for cohesion.
It's a shame they couldn't get the roof open before the game started. The Texans rule is if it's between 50 and 85, the roof is open. It's just getting down to around 85 right now. I would imagine the MLS would let them open the roof mid game. NFL makes the Texans keep it open or closed the entire time.
I went to the game and I am extremely glad the roof was closed. I am not sure if you have ever been to Houston before (I do recall you saying you are from TX though), but the humidity is terrible and I dont want to be drinking the air for 3 hrs.
I was born in Houston, spent all my life before going to UM in Houston. Spent a year after attending UM in Houston, and now live just 3 hours north. I still commute to work for the Texans on home game weekends for work.
85 isn't bad at all, even with the humidity.
That said, I'd occasionally wear long sleeves and jeans to UM games when it was 80 out because I'd get cold in the shade at tailgates.
That's the difference, I was born in Michigan and spent my entire life in Michigan until graduating and moving down to Houston. I can barely tolerate the summer where I am outside for about 45 seconds a day and thats walking from the AC in my car to the AC in my work/home. It is funny how when it gets down to 65-70 and everyone starts wearing coats and I think it's the only time the weather is actually enjoyable.
So Macheda to have a hat trick in the first half? 2 down.
2-0. Unmarked header from the 6
I'm not a fan of Manchester United, but their new jerseys pretty sick.
My buddy works for Aon and he said all 34,000 employees received the new Manchester United jersey. I guess it's one of the few perks the company has provided. It's made of recycled soda cans.
been nice to see javier hernandez play. hopefully fergy puts him in for the whole 2nd half.
Getting his chance now. A good 25 minutes.
Ouch.
Man U is just toying with the US at this point. Too many MLS players not trying on defense.
they're out for blood now
MLS 12 Man U 5. I would not have guessed that.
I cannot wait for baby blue to be completely phased out of all Houston sports teams... again.
so excited as a man utd fan to see javier hernandez play. he made me actually root for mexico.
nice goal ching, should have made the US team to be honest
As a big ManU fan I was pumped to see the game and it was nice to see Hernandez get some time. I watched him in the world cup and he played pretty well. Looks to be a good signing.
And that's why everyone not named Bradley wanted Ching on the USMNT roster.
Now MLS just needs to sub in Buddle so he can show why everyone not named Bradley wanted him starting over Findley.
wat a FK....jesus that was unstoppable. fantastic strike.
Too many mistakes in the back to have a chance. They did a decent job possessing the ball from what I gathered. I watched the World Cup and I occasionaly catch EPL. I would consider myself a "new" soccer fan. My analysis may not be spot on.
I think if the MLS all stars were an actual "team" and were used to playing together, which I would imagine would make the back line look less like Michigan's secondary, I think this could have been a pretty good match.
with your analysis. the midfield didnt do a very good job helping out on defense but yes, the same problem that plagued the national team is killing the MLS all star team.
And the Mexican makes the crowd go wild. 5-1. Looked off sides, but good for him getting his first goal with the new team (even if it is a scrimmage).
Not sure if I spelled that correctly, but yeah it was crazy when they announced him as a sub. There was definately more Mexican fans at the game than anything else (although a lot of people were showing off their brand new United jerseys). He actually got louder cheers than when Donovan came on, though it was close.
I just got back to College Station from the game. This was my first live soccer game and it was definitely a blast.
Our seats were way up in the nosebleeds. It was an interesting vibe. Most of the Dynamo fans were down in the first bowl, so in our section there were actually many more Manchester United fans than MLS fans.
Being in Houston, there was a huge contingent of Mexico fans at the game. The place went nuts when they finally put Chicharito in. Then Ching scored a couple of minutes later and things got crazy again. The late goals from Chicharito, Ching, and De Rosario really gave the game a nice story as all the fans got something to enjoy.
The Cleverley goal was amazing to see live. The defense wasn't great, but wonderful ball control. I really, really like Cleverley.
All in all, I had a great time. I'm going to the Dynamo/RedBulls game on Saturday to see Thierry Henry's first MLS league game. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Angel can do when he gets better service than he did tonight and what Henry does if he gets to play more than a half.