MLS Allstars 3 – 2 West Ham

A thrilling and competitive game ended in a much deserved victory for the MLS Allstars.

The BMO Arena, Toronto, Canada, set the scene for the highly anticipated friendly. West Ham set out with a basic 4-4-2 formation, with an almost full strength team. The MLS side picked a team, which caused a fair bit of controversy, with American sensation Landon Donovan only getting a place on the bench, and Juan Pablo Angel also only getting a place on the bench. The MLS supporters certainly got their feelings across, by chanting for the players to come on throughout the first half.

The match began slowly, with both sides getting to know eachothers tactics, and style of play. Young Joe Widdowson was dealing well with the threat of David Beckham, and Julien Faubert was making some good attacks on the right hand side.

The MLS like to hold this fixture against Premier League teams, as they see English football as attractive, stylish football. But there was certainly nothing stylish about the opening goal! A long ball was played up field by the West Ham backline, Carlton Cole rose well to flick it on, Ashton ran through on goal, and slotted the ball home on the half volley. The few West Ham fans that were at the match celebrated the goal, but just one minute later they were jeering the MLS’ equaliser! Directly from kick off, Beckham played a ball forward to Blanco, who neatly back heeled it through to Gomez, who ran into the box, and slotted home neatly from 16 yards. The atmosphere really was one of a carnival. The fans were just enjoying the event, not really caring about the scoreline. So after a slow start the game had finally come to life in the 25th minute. As the first half wore on, it seemed like the MLS would take the lead, and on the stroke of half time, veteran striker, Blanco, truned the west ham defence inside and out, and curled the ball into the top right hand corner, a truly delightful goal. The half time whistle was shortly blown after this goal.

The carnival atmosphere continue throughout half time, where the beer-fuelled fans, where singing and dancing along, to the music from half time entertainer, Estelle!

Half time saw multiple changes, most notiably, Donovan coming on for the Allstars, and Boa Morte coming on for West Ham. All these MLS players are 18 games into their season, and their fitness advantage certainly showed in the second half. The MLS Allstars were running West Ham ragged, but they just couldn’t find the third goal to kill West Ham off. David Beckham missed a guilt edge chance, the ball was cut back to him on the edge of the area, but he drilled the ball well wide. Beckham also went close on the hour mark. He had a free kick, perfect angle and distnce from goal, it seemed destined that he would curl it home. Once it left his foot the crowd thought it was in, but it went wide by a whisker!

 

Joe Widdowson Tackles David Beckham

The MLS side’s inability to take their chances took it’s tole on them, when Dean Ashton scored with around 35 minutes left. The goal came from nothing, the MLS side where in total control. West Ham just played the ball up field to Ashton, “Deano” was roughly 30 yards from goal, he had a shot, and his luck paid off. It took a crule double deflection, taking the ‘keeper out of the equation. West Ham had got a fortunate equaliser.

But once again West Ham didnt concentrate once scoring, the MLS went up the other end, Dwayne De Rosario, took the ball away from goal whilst inside the penalty area, and West Ham captain, Lucas Neill, stupidly slided in, and ultimatly giving away a penalty. De Rosatio, got himself up to take the penalty, and he smashed it home expertly. The penalty struck the underside of the bar, bounced off the line, the off the underside of the bar again, and then eventually dropping into the net! Ex Villa hitman had the chance to secure the match shortly after the penatly, he drilled home superbly from a tight angle, but it was wrongly disallowed for being offside.

The result wasn’t important for West Ham, it was raising the fitness levels, but it the final minute of the game West Ham had the chance to secure a point. Great build up play from Kyel Reid and Carlton Cole, managed to free up Luis Boa Morte in the penalty area, but the Portugese man somehow manager to put his one on one effort wide.

The full time whistle went and the Allstars won the game 3-2.

Goals: Ashton x2, Gomez, Blanco, De Rosario
Line-up’s:

West Ham – Green, Widdowson, Ferdinand, Davenport, Neill, Etherington, Mullins, Parker, Faubert, Cole, Ashton. Subs On: Boa Morte, Reid, Stanislas, Collison, Stokes.

MLS Allstars -  Reis, Bornstein, Hejduk, Conrad , Mastroeni, Beckham, Gomez, Joseph, Toja, Blanco, Cooper. Subs On: Onstad, Angel, Donovan, Brenna, De Rosario, Buddle.