MLS Stars Top West Ham

Fire's Blanco Named MVP

July 25, 2008

By Sean Donahue

Steve Nicol coached the MLS All-Stars to victory in a back and forth affair with some great goals that saw the league's stars putting on what was at times an impressive display in a 3-2 victory over West Ham. In other words, it was exactly what you would hope for from an All-Star game.

Canadian International Dwayne De Rosario scored the game winner on a penalty kick in the 69th minute in front of a sold out crowd at BMO Field in Toronto. It was Chicago Fire playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, however, who stole the show in the first half with an impressive goal and assist to garner MVP honors.

Joseph-DeRosario

Shalrie Joseph and Dwayne DeRosario played a part in the MLS All-Stars' win Thursday. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

West Ham took the lead in the 26th minute when a header from Carlton Cole sent Dean Ashton free of the defense. Ashton took a low powerful shot from near the top of the 18-yard box that beat Revs 'keeper Matt Reis to the far post to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The lead marked first time an international opponent had led in an MLS All-Star game.

Just a minute later, however, the score was back even. Blanco received a ball from English international David Beckham and sent an impressively accurate back heel into the path of Christian Gomez. Gomez entered the box and finished with a place shot quite similar to Ashton's opener to tie the match at 1-1.

Blanco put the MLS on top just before halftime. The Mexican international received the ball from Juan Toja in the left side of the box and then took a step to create space, before unleashing a curling shot that landed inside the far post.

Reis was called upon twice to keep the All-Stars on top eight minutes into the second half. First Reis came up big with a diving save to deny Luis Boa Morte a goal on a well placed free kick. Soon after, Reis managed to keep out a point blank header from Julien Faubert.

There was nothing he could do, however, on West Ham's equalizer in the 67th minute. It was Ashton again, this time from distance off a pass from Boa Morte. Reis looked to have the shot covered, but it took a deflection off of Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and ended inside the opposite post.

Yet again the All-Stars managed to respond a minute later, this time through substitute Dwayne De Rosario. Despite playing 90 minutes in a match less than 24 hours ago, the Scarborough native showed no ill-effects and used his speed to break free in the box. West Ham defender Lucas Neill took down De Rosario from behind, earning the All-Stars a penalty kick. De Rosario took the kick himself, sending an incredibly powerful shot that hit the crossbar before entering the net to give MLS a 3-2 lead.

That goal would prove all the team needed for the victory. In addition to Reis, Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph also started the match, going the full 90 minutes. Revolution captain Steve Ralston entered the game in the 88th minute for the last few minutes of the match.

Return from MLS Stars Top West Ham to New England Revolution

ADD TO YOUR SOCIAL BOOKMARKS: