clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

MLS All-Stars hold on to defeat Tottenham 2-1

Gyasi Zardes, Omar Gonzalez, Juninho earned minutes

By Mike Gray
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The MLS All-Stars held on to defeat English Premier League heavyweights Tottenham Hotspur FC Wednesday night in front of a spirited sellout crowd at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

MLS All-Star head coach Pablo Mastroeni put out a star-studded lineup including LA Galaxy players Omar Gonzalez and Gyasi Zardes, while Tottenham featured a strong starting 11 including English sensation Harry Kane.

In the 19th minute, the MLS All-Stars earned a penalty when a corner kick inside the box hit the arm of a rising Nadir Chadli, and referee Ismail Elfath pointed to the spot.

Sporting a slicked back hairstyle, Kaka confidently nestled the penalty into the bottom left corner as the All-Stars took the lead.

Three minutes later, the All-Stars scored again off a beautiful passing sequence. Gyasi Zardes chested down a Gonzalez long ball and dribbled just outside the the box before squaring for Clint Dempsey, who deftly touched before letting the ball run for a streaking Kaka, and Kaka slammed a low hard cross that David Villa passed right by a stunned Michel Vorm into the net.

Nick Rimando was spectacular in the first half, stoning Harry Kane from point-blank range twice in the 22nd and 34th minute.

And yet, not even Rimando could keep the 22 year-old with 31 goals for Tottenham last year off the scoresheet. Racing down the field one on one with Omar Gonzalez, Kane patiently waited for an opening before firing a rocket just outside the box that Rimando had no chance of saving.

Juninho came on in the second half while Gonzalez and Zardes made way for Fabian Castillo and Chad Marshall as the All-Stars rotated the lineup.

In the 64th minute, former Seattle Sounder DeAndre Yedlin came on for Tottenham as the EPL side began to seriously press a MLS All-Star team looking to preserve the win. Though Tottenham had plenty of half chances, the All-Star defense mostly held firm.

Late in the match, Harry Kane left to a standing ovation as the game neared it's conclusion. Fabian Castillo probably should have scored when a low shot from close range was cleared feet from the goal line, but the game ended 2-1 to cap off a successful outing for the All-Stars.

More From LAG Confidential