By: Eric He
SAN JOSE — In the spirit of All-Star games in the United States, the MLS version is perhaps treated the least like an All-Star game.
Indeed, the 2-1 score at Avaya Stadium on Thursday night was filled with the spirit of competition as Arsenal FC took down the MLS All-Stars. Though billed as a “friendly” with both teams subbing at will, there was no slacking on defense , attempts at trickeration or lackadaisical efforts — just the best of MLS trying to beat a premier European club.
They came up three minutes and one goal short. In the 87th minute, Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom tapped home the game-winner off a centering feed by Nacho Monreal.
“We train with each other day so I knew what Nacho (Monreal) was going to do,” Akpom said. “I knew what he was looking at. I just tried my best to anticipate where he was going to go and thankfully I found a bit of space and it was there.”
The goal came at the expense of San Jose Earthquakes’ goaltender Ryan Bingham, who played the second half.
Another Quake, Chris Wondolowski, checked in in the 73rd minute along with Clint Dempsey with the game tied 1-1, and had a glorious opportunity to give the MLS All-Stars a late lead, but his right-footed shot from in close sailed just high.
“I got too steep on (the ball) and tried to come across my body and get the goalkeeper, but I wasn’t able to get on top of it,” Wondolowski said. “That’s part of the game.”
Both teams traded chances late, and it seemed like it would only be a matter of time before someone broke the tie — and it was.
While his team didn’t get the win, MLS All-Stars head coach Dominic Kinnear — also the Earthquakes’ head coach — was thrilled to soak in the atmosphere along with two of his players.
“Really happy, being local as I am. Really fun to represent the MLS in this fashion in an area that I know ever so well,” Kinnear said. “And for (Wondolowski) and (Bingham) to get a chance – for Chris, his story just seems to be getting better and better and I think David’s inclusion to the team was well deserved.”
Arsenal took an early lead on a penalty kick goal by Joel Campbell, who drew the call after a run into the box and he was interfered with by Laurent Ciman. Campbell buried the shot just past the dive of goaltender Andre Blake.
MLS had a great chance early on as Andrea Pirlo delivered a great ball on a long pass right onto the foot of Giovani dos Santos, but dos Santos was denied by Arsenal goaltender Peter Cech.
The MLS All-Stars evened the game right before halftime in stoppage time of the first half as Didier Drogba took advantage of three point blank opportunities off a turnover to beat his former teammate in Cech. Though his first two chances were denied by Cech and then an Arsenal defender, Drogba slid his third try into the back of the net.
While playing for Chelsea with Cech, Drogba scored 13 goals in 15 appearances against Arsenal.
“I will have fun with (Cech) because I scored, but he already killed me, he said, ‘This time I gave you the goal.’” Drogba joked.
Out of the half, MLS had a prime opportunity to jump ahead, as Sebastian Giovnico’s bid from the box came hard at Cech, who dove to fight it off.
And Arsenal was able to fend off a talented and focused MLS group, once that impressed their manager, Arsene Wegner.
“The MLS team was exceptional,” he said. “Exceptionally strong. Look at the results for the MLS All-Star Games made in the recent years. In the last four years, they won three times. When I looked at the players on the team sheet I thought that could be a very difficult game for us, and it was.”
To wit: shots in the game were even, 15 apiece. Possession went to Arsenal, but just by a slim 52-48 margin. Kinnear lauded the talent of the MLS roster, joking to his players that “if you ever run into trouble, just pass it to a guy who’s won a Champions League or a World Cup or a World Footballer of the Year, and you’ll be in good shape.”
“The sky’s the limit really,” Kinnear said on the state of MLS. “I think you’re seeing not only the emergence of young players, but the names and the talent that are coming over here.”
For Wondolowski, the experience of suiting up in his home stadium for a primetime match such as an All-Star game was memorable.
“It still gives me goose bumps,” he said. “It’s amazing to be a part of that. I love these fans and I think it’s a mutual love and respect. I enjoyed it.”
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