MLS All-Stars shine, top Chelsea FC

[evalagoal]

This is the full report from the friendly match betweek MLS All-Stars vs Chelsea

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- A goal from game MVP Dwayne De Rosario was all the MLS All-Stars would need to defeat Chelsea FC 1-0 Saturday in the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game at Toyota Park.

The sides slugged out a scoreless first half, but the MLS side took over in the second stanza, dominating possession and putting on an impressive attacking display for the sellout crowd of 21,210.

De Rosario notched the only goal of the game in the 70th minute, settling a throw-in from FC Dallas midfielder Ronnie O'Brien at the top of the box, then turning and firing home between substitute 'keeper Hilario and the near post. Chelsea, the two-time defending English Premier League champions, provided stout defense for much of the match, but playing the first match of their preseason, they lacked the attacking links that only match experience can provide.

It was both the lowest scoring game and the first shutout in MLS All-Star history. In the fourth game of the current format where a single MLS side takes on a club or national team, MLS remains unbeaten and untied, having defeated the U.S. national team, CD Guadalajara and Fulham FC in previous matchups.

The MLS side provided the first attacking threats in the opening half. In the fifth minute, Christian Gomez worked his way past his man on the right and slipped a pass ahead for Brian Ching, who then centered for De Rosario. De Rosario provided a smart chip into the box for Joshua Gros, but it was just out of the United wingback's reach.

Then Gros's club teammate Jaime Moreno, the MLS captain, sent Chris Albright in on goal with a deft turning pass in the 14th minute, but Blues 'keeper Carlo Cudicini got to the ball first.

The visitors finally registered a scoring chance three minutes later after Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad took down Didier Drogba just outside the box. Frank Lampard whistled a free kick around the wall, but United 'keeper Troy Perkins got down to make the save.

After sizing up the opposition for the opening 20 minutes, Chelsea came to life halfway through the first stanza. They had a golden opportunity to get on the board when United defender Bobby Boswell attempted a tackle on Shaun Wright-Phillips in the 23rd minute, only for the Chelsea player to skip by and race alone to the corner, but Boswell recovered to close down the England international as he looked for a teammate to cross to.

Just four minutes later, the Blues thought they had the game's opener as Drogba easily slotted home, but he was called back for offside. Chelsea newcomers Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack then both found themselves with the ball at their feet in the box in the following minutes, but neither could get a shot off as the MLS rearguard dealt well with their first taste of Chelsea's attacking pressure.

For much of the first half, Albright got the better of Wayne Bridge on the right flank, and in the 39th minute, he got behind the England left back to run on to a long ball sent into the box by De Rosario. The U.S. international sent his shot wide, though.

As the half drew to a close, the MLS defense found itself completely at sea. Two minutes before the whistle, Wright-Phillips went in alone, rounded Perkins and found himself on the endline. Facundo Erpen, the man Wright-Phillips sprinted past to get free, tracked back to clear the ball out for a corner.

What followed was a game of pinball in the MLS defensive third, including three Chelsea corner kicks. Though a bit frazzled, the MLS defenders managed to clear the danger.

Three minutes after the restart, the MLS side nearly gifted Chelsea the opener. United's Freddy Adu, one of seven second-half substitutes for the home side, gave the ball away to Lampard in midfield, and Lampard quickly passed forward to substitute striker Salomon Kalou. Erpen swooped in for the tackle, but tapped the ball between the legs of new MLS 'keeper Joe Cannon. Luckily for the MLS team, Dynamo's Eddie Robinson sprinted back to clear the ball off the line.

After the shaky start to the second half, the MLS All-Stars settled down and began to attack with flair. On the hour mark, FC Dallas midfielder Ronnie O'Brien had the best chance yet for MLS, creeping into the box to claim the ball from the Chicago Fire's Nate Jaqua. The Irishman's shot from 12 yards was blocked out for a corner.

At that point, the game was opening up, and Chelsea looked to use the pace of Kalou and Dutch winger Arjen Robben to get behind the MLS defense. Robben fed Kalou on a pass into the box in minute 65, but Cannon came out to smother the ball.

The breakthrough finally came for the MLS All-Stars as De Rosario played the hero, once again whistling home a powerful drive from just inside the area after popping the ball over his head before settling. And even though the game was listed as an exhibition, Chelsea fought tooth and nail to get an equalizer.

In the 72nd minute, Kalou fired over the bar, and Michael Essien later launched a 35-yard scorcher into Cannon's arms. Substitute forward Jimmy Smith headed wide in the 87th minute, and Robben did the same in the 90th. In stoppage time, Cannon made a game-saving stop on Ricardo Carvalho, who found himself with the ball at his feet in the six-yard box after a corner kick. But the Rapids 'keeper threw out his legs to parry the shot, and shortly thereafter the MLS All-Stars could celebrate.

Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.

Chelsea FC (0-1-0) vs. MLS All-Stars (1-0-0)

August 05, 2006 -- Toyota Park

Scoring Summary:

MLS -- Dwayne De Rosario 1 (Ronnie O'Brien ) 70

Chelsea FC -- Carlo Cudicini (Hilario 64), Geremi Njitap, Paulo Ferreira (Ricardo Carvalho 46), John Terry, Wayne Bridge (Lassana Diarra 46), Michael Essien, Michael Ballack (John Obi Mikel 46), Frank Lampard, Shaun Wright-Phillips (Joe Cole 46) (Jimmy Smith 52), Didier Drogba (Salomon Kalou 46), Andriy Shevchenko (Arjen Robben 46).

Substitutes Not Used: Ryan Bertrand, Michael Mancienne, Michael Woods

MLS All-Stars -- Troy Perkins (Joe Cannon 46), Bobby Boswell, Facundo Erpen, Jimmy Conrad (Eddie Robinson 46), Chris Albright (Ronnie O'Brien 46), Dwayne De Rosario, Christian Gomez (Freddy Adu 46), Richard Mulrooney (Ricardo Clark 46), Joshua Gros, Brian Ching (Nate Jaqua 46), Jaime Moreno (Alecko Eskandarian 46).

Substitutes Not Used:

MLS All-Stars Chelsea FC

total shots: 12 (Dwayne De Rosario 3) 10 (John Terry 2,

Salomon Kalou 2)

shots on goal: 2 (Dwayne De Rosario 1,

Freddy Adu 1) 5 (5 tied with 1)

fouls: 9 (Jimmy Conrad 4) 13 (Lassana Diarra 3)

offsides: 1 (Brian Ching 1) 5 (Salomon Kalou 3)

corner kicks: 5 (Dwayne De Rosario 2,

Freddy Adu 2) 6 (Frank Lampard 3)

saves: 5 (Joe Cannon 3) 1 (Hilario 1)

Misconduct Summary:

MLS -- Jimmy Conrad (caution; Reckless Foul) 31

CHL -- Michael Essien (caution; Tackle from Behind) 82

referee: Abiodun Okulaja

Referee's Assistants: Nate Clement; Chris Strickland

4th official: Terry Vaughn

time of game: 1:53

attendance: 21,210

weather: Cloudy -and- 85 degrees

[drakos13]

although i think Chelsea were slightly better, this was just a friendly remember. But still there was more evidence that US Soccer really has gotten better, and the WC disaster really was just a bad show/ moron Bruce Arena's fault.

How about DD Rosario's goal??? That was really something special...

There are some players in the MLS who really could be playing for much better teams, it wont be long till the leave...Rosario, Dempsey :nw:, Conrad, Eskandaryan....

[Georgios10]

How about DD Rosario's goal??? That was really something special...

I used to play with him on the U-20 National team. I am really surprised at how well he had done in the MLS. Good for him though.

[BlueStriker]

I missed the game, but great result for the MLS.

US soccer is not bad, I would place it at mediocre. I must agree Mr. Arena really screwed up for the first game of the WC vs. the Czechs. You only have 3 games in the group stage, so if you don't play in one of them, your chances of moving on to the next round are slim to none.

So who is suppossed to be the new head coach for the U.S. National team?

[drakos13]

:LOL: i think they hired his assistant im not 100% sure

its a shame because the US really did have a good squad of players, and Arena wrecked them.

what a joke..US has done so well in improving the level of the game, the players are becoming the calibre to compete on the world stage, but American FA insisted on keeping Arena despite he was awful, and they were so godamn stupid to rush and hire the assistant....America has a talented team! GET THEM A REAL COACH!!!

Klinsmann is PERFECT for this team and they didnt even make an offer....He speaks great english, he lives in america, hes a great coach. knows how the game is supposed to be played and i bet you anything hed take the job. Such a big opportunity missed, especially since the German direct style he had them playing is much what the American style of play is.......its horrible to think about it....

[BlueStriker]

If they really did hire the assistant coach (whoever he is), I think they are making a bad choice rushing in such a quick decision. Please don't tell me he is American, :blink: because I don't understand this type of thinking. They just don't have the experience. What other country in this entire universe has ever hired an American soccer coach?

The one position which is not restricted to U.S. nationality is the coach, they have the freedom to choose from all over the world. Guys who have performed well against the best players and teams in Euro, the WC, and the Champions league. So who will the U.S. choose? Probably some m**aka from the New York Red Bulls or something like that!? :tdown:

Klinsmann is a great choice, and I'm sure there are many other world class coaches willing to take on the job. The U.S. has potential and if they offer a good salary, many coaches will be willing to make the move to the U.S.

[Olympiakosthyra7]

U.S. Soccer = :tdown:

It makes me sick watching it

U.S. NT matches on the other hand can be interesting when they face Mexico :)