MLS All-Stars v Manchester United Match Preview

Who: The Best Players Major League Soccer has to offer against the best youngsters that Sir Alex Ferguson could fit into an adult small uniform.
What: The MLS All-Star Game
Where: Houston, Texas, USA or (if you cant make the game in person) ESPN2/Galavision
When: Wednesday, July 27th 8:30PM EST
Why: CHICHARITO! CHICHARITO! CHICHARITO! Yeah, Im on board with this one

A Brief History of the MLS All-Star Game:

MLS began in 1996, and so too did the All-Star Game. However, it was a long six years before the league instituted the type of event well be seeing Wednesday night. No, for five of its first six years, MLS employed an All-Star game similar to those in other major American sports. Thus, it was East v West in a battle of who could score more goals without even attempting to play defense. All that changed when, in 2003, the league scheduled a match with Chivas de Guadalajara of the Mexican Premier League. Aside from a minor blip in 2004 when Real Madrid failed to turn up, the league never looked back. Subsequent opponents included Fulham (a 4-1 win for MLS), Chelsea (a 1-0 win for MLS), Celtic (a 2-0 win for MLS), West Ham (a 3-2 win for MLS), and Everton (A 1-1 draw which American Tim Howard one for the Toffees in a penalty shootout). Thus, its fairly clear that the MLS All-Stars have a good record against British opposition, something that Head Coach Bruce Arena will be hoping to continue Wednesday.

And just who are these All-Stars?

If reading just isnt your thing, then click the video below to watch the squad selection announcement courtesy of the MLS Homepage.

As explained by my best friend ! Wikipedi a, the selection of the MLS All-Star First XI is determined by an online fan voting system which accounts for 25% of the total vote, with players, coaches and general managers, and the media each holding 25% of the vote The additional seven players will be chosen by the MLS All-Star head coach Bruce Arena and the Commissioner of MLS Don Garber. All that said, heres your roster:

Starters
GK Donovan Ricketts Jamaica/LA Galaxy
DF Omar Gonzalez United States/LA Galaxy
DF Chad Marshall United States/Columbus Crew
DF Jamison Olave Colombia/Real Salt Lake
MF Dwayne De Rosario Canada/Toronto FC
MF Kyle Beckerman (injured) United States/Real Salt Lake
MF Marco Pappa Guatemala/Chicago Fire
MF Javier Morales Argentina/Real Salt Lake
MF Guillermo Barros Schelotto Argentina/Columbus Crew
FW Edson Buddle United States/LA Galaxy
FW Landon Donovan United States/LA Galaxy

Reserves/Alternates
GK Nick Rimando United States/Real Salt Lake
DF Kevin Alston United States/New England Revolution
DF Jonathan Bornstein (injured) United States/Chivas USA
DF Wilman Conde Colombia/Chicago Fire
DF Heath Pearce United States/FC Dallas
MF Bobby Convey United States
MF Sbastien Le Toux France/Philadelphia Union
MF David Ferreira Colombia/FC Dallas
MF Brad Davis United States/Houston Dynamo
MF Shalrie Joseph Grenada/New England Revolution
MF Jeff Larentowicz United States/Colorado Rapids
FW Juan Pablo Angel Colombia/New York Red Bulls
FW Brian Ching United States/Houston Dynamo
FW Jaime Moreno Bolivia/DC United

Some familiar names if youre a fan of the Premiership. Juan Pablo Angel notched 44 goals in 175 appearances for Aston Villa, Landon Donovan was instrumental in Evertons strong performance last season, and Jaime Moreno managed 25 career appearances Middlesbrough. In the broader world, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Sbastien Le Toux, Javier Morales, and Donovan Ricketts all spent con! siderabl e time abroad (is it still called abroad if its your country of birth?). Managing this collection of talents is former UVA/DC United/Red Bull New York coach Bruce Arena, who currently manages the Los Angeles Galaxy. I can honestly say that I never would have thought it possible for Sir Alex Ferguson and Bruce Arena to be coaching on the same field, but there you have it Dreams can come true I guess

Who will be featuring for Manchester United?
In case you missed it, here is my preview of the United squad prior to its arrival in North America. All of the players (save for Chicharito) that participated in the World Cup are absent, and injuries to several key players has left this United side looking slightly threadbare. Heres what they started out with:

Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar, Tomasz Kuszczak, Ben Amos
Defenders: John OShea, Wes Brown, Rafael, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Fabio, Tom Cleverley, Ritchie De Laet, Corry Evans
Midfielders: Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher, Darron Gibson, Nani, Gabriel Obertan
Forwards: Dimitar Berbatov, Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez, Mame Biram Diouf.

After taking on teams in Toronto (Celtic), Philadelphia (the Union), and Kansas City (the Wizards), multiple United players have picked up minor injuries. As reported by Gemma Thompson at the official page, Sir Alex is expecting a tough match against the All-Stars and has some decisions to make regarding his team. He said at the press conference last night that Fletcher and OShea are carrying knocks and today he insisted hell only pick a totally fit XI. All that aside, Im still guessing that Fergie will send a fairly strong side onto the Reliant Stadium pitch.

Taylors Predicted Starting XI: Van der Sar, Rafael, Evans, Brown, Fabio, Giggs, Scholes, Fletcher, Nani, Berbatov, Macheda/Chicharito.

And what of Javier Chicharito Hernandez?
The level of excitement surrounding Uniteds newest signing is reaching a fevered pitch. From the official site again: Ive had an email from friend of ManUtd.com Tom Marshall, who works for the Guadalajara Reporter newspaper, saying tickets for Fridays game sold out in a matter of hours and the demand was so high the ticket website crashed. Chivas are now selling passes for Uniteds training session on Thursday night.

However, its not just Mexican fans who are eager to see the 22 year old striker take the pitch. The MLS players are excited as well. Said Guillermo Barros Schelotto , I think that I would like to see how Hernandez is and to see if hes at the level of Manchester United or not. There are a lot of expectations there. There are many important players [on Manchester United] but for me, my expectation and knowing Mexican soccer, its for Hernandez.

Nick Rimando was equally excited, stating, For me Im excited to play against Scholes and Giggs since those are the guys I grew up watching. And Javier Hernandez. He was in the World Cup with the Mexican national team and itll be fun to play against him. Hes a quick player and hes feisty in the 18-yard box, Rimando said. We played against him last year with RSL when he was with Chivas. Very dynamic. He likes to go forward and get to balls over the top. And he likes to score goals and he scored a ton with Chivas. Thats why Manchester United signed him.

Personally, I am very much looking forward to seeing Chicharito take the field in a United kit. Whether thats because I think hes going to be an immediate impact player or because Im trying to rationalize Uniteds lack of signings remains to be seen. One way or the other, Im excited for kickoff!

And how say you?
What do you think of the MLS roster? Who should Arena start Wednesday night? And Sir Alex? Big names or youngsters? What do y! ou most want to see from this match?

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