MLS All-Stars vs Real Madrid CF
Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017    9:00PM ET    FS1

What an exciting week of futbol we had last week!  On Wednesday we saw the Americans reclaim the Gold Cup as they defeated the Reggae Boyz 2-1, courtesy of a late winner from the US’s striker of the future in Jordan Morris— although I guess he’s the striker of the present now, eh?.  Next, Saturday rolled in and we witnessed a double dip of the beautiful game.  AS Monaco took on Paris SG in the Trophee des Champions, following was the second El Clasico ever to be staged outside of Spain, in Miami.  Both matches certainly lived up to the billing and provided thoroughly exciting play.  

PSG came from 1-0 down to win 2-1, thanks to free transfer Dani Alves.  He lit up the night in Tanger with his stunning free kick goal and assisted cross, that clinched a record tying 7th French Super Cup title for Les Parisiens.  As for El Clasico, the fireworks came early and often as Lionel Messi struck in just the third minute of play, followed by a quick fire second from Ivan Rakitc.  But Los Merengeus weren’t going to simply lay down to their eternal rivals.  As such, youngsters Mateo Kovacic and Marco Asensio drew Real level before the first half whistle.  In the end, Barcelona’s Gerrard Pique had the last word when he struck in the second half to see his side go up 3-2. La Azulgrana were able to hang on from there, retaining the title best of Spain.

Can we possibly top those matches this week, you ask?  Whelp, we’ll certainly try. This week’s featured matchup is the MLS All-Stars against Real Madrid CF.  That’s right, it’s time for the annual MLS All-Star Game!  So without further a due, let’s get you primed for tomorrow’s star studded spectacle.

MLS All-Star Game: Modern Era

The first MLS All-Star Game kicked-off at the Meadowlands in New Jersey in 1996.  Since then, the format for the annual event has changed several times: MLS East vs MLS West, MLS USA vs MLS World,  MLS All-Stars vs Team USA, MLS All-Stars vs Guadalajara (Mexican club team).  But, finally in 2005 Major League Soccer decided to pit a European club, Fulham, against the MLS All-Stars, and it drew rave reviews.  

Not only was there increased viewership since Fulham was a english topflight team at the time, but America’s own league won the match 4-1.  — Granted, Fulham finished between 12th and 17th in the Premier League from the 2004-05 through 2007-08 seasons.  Thus, the Cottagers weren’t exactly considered a title contending team in England, let alone Europe.  But, the win against a British side was without question a stepping stone for the MLS.  Over the years, the competition has gotten stiffer, as has the MLS, thanks largely to the influx of retired foreign, mostly European, players, but I digress.  In totality, the MLS has won 7 and lost 5 against European foes, in the All-Star games, since that first match in 2005 against Fulham.  Some notable achievements are having beaten Chelsea, Bayern Munchen, and most recently Tottenham Hotspur.  The notable embarrassing moment for the MLS All-Stars, without a doubt, was losing to Manchester United by a combined 9-2 aggregate over the 2010 and 2011 All-Star Games.  This year MLS will be faced with its most difficult of challengers to date, Real Madrid.  The question is, will we see MLS show its quality, as it did against the Bavarians and Blues? Or will we witness a skit out of Saturday Night Live, with Los Blancos forcing the MLS All-Stars into a comedy of errors en route to another massacre, similar to that against Manchester?

Key Performers

Everybody!  This is an all-star game featuring the very best players that Major League Soccer has to offer; and it’s counterpart Real Madrid is the back-to-back Champions League Winner in Europe. The quality throughout the ranks of these two teams speaks for itself.  For the MLS All-Stars, we’ll get to see US Men’s National Team members Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Dom Dwyer, Kellyn Acosta, Grahm Zusi, DeMarcus Beasley, Dax McCarty, and Tim Howard.  In addition, we’ll get to see some of Europe’s former greats now plying their trade in the States for the MLS All-Star team, with appearances by Bastian Schweinsteiger, David Villa, Sebastian Giovinco, Giovanni Do Santos, and David Villa.  On the flip side, Los Merengues will be led by Real Madrid and Span’s captain Sergio Ramos, strikers Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, as well as midfielding dynamos Luka Modric, Tony Kroos, Isco, and Casimero.  

Once these top dogs have been subbed off though, don’t expect Real to roll over.  This is still the Galacticos, therefore the under-20’s and 23’s that may get a run in the second half, are more than capable of locking down the MLS and putting one or two past ‘em, as well.  A prime example is, last year’s MLS All-Star gram.  Arsenal’s Joel Campbell (24 at the time) and Chuba Akpom (20 at the time) scored on the Gunners 2-1, over the MLS All-Stars.  Unsurprisingly, Real’s youth academy is considered much better.  So watch out for Theo, Tejero, Oscar, and Gomez to produce a moment or two of brilliance despite their tender ages. 

LSB Prediction

As aforementioned, the MLS All-Stars have had several notable highlights over past 12 matches against European competition.  With that being said, Major League Soccer has never played against a team at the quality of Real Madrid.  Additionally, Los Blancos are in the midst of one of the greatest runs in the history of club futbol, particularly in the modern era of the sport.  In winning the Champions League last season over Juventus, Real became the first club to repeat win in the Champions League era, which began in the mid 1990’s.  Moreover, Los Merengues have now won three of the past four Champions Leagues, thus a dynasty is upon us.  

The MLS All-Stars will simply be no match for the Ronaldo-less Galacticos.  Sergio Ramos will head a corner home.  Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema will combined for a goal.  Luka Modric will produce a wonder goal, and Theo Hernandez will have us reminiscing of last season’s Copa del Rey Final, as he will bend a free-kick into the back of the net.  Truly, I think there could be one or two more goals scored, but let’s just end it there.  Another Massacre for the MLS.

4-0 Real Madrid CF