Major League Soccer started with 10 teams in 1996, the year the league also staged its first all-star game. The games were mostly East vs. West contests through 2004, but starting in 2005, a major format change took place with MLS stars playing teams from Europe. The MLS All-Star Game is held in a different U.S. city every summer.
The Inaugural All-Star Game
During the MLS' first season in 1996, the All-Star Game was part of a doubleheader at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. The East defeated the West 3-2. Tampa Bay's Carlos Valderrama had two assists for the East and was voted Most Valuable Player. After the game, an exhibition between the Brazilian national team and a team of world all-stars was held, with Brazil winning 2-1.
Early Changes
The East won again in 1997 by a score of 5-4. But in 1998, the league tried a new format, similar to how the NHL has staged some of its all-star games. American-born MLS All-Stars played a team of MLS All-Stars from around the world. The USA team won 6-1.
Firsts in 2001
Two firsts occurred in MLS All-Star history in 2001. Playing before his hometown fans in San Jose, California, Landon Donovan scored the first all-star hat trick, and he did it in the first 18 minutes. The game ended 6-6, the first time an MLS All-Star Game ended without a winner. Two years later, another MLS All-Star first took place with Kansas City midfielder Preki starting in his eighth straight All-Star Game.
Taking on Europe
In 2005, the All-Star Game changed formats. A team of East and West All-Stars took on Fulham from the English Premier League and won 4-1. In 2006, the MLS All-Stars shut out Chelsea, the reigning Premier League champions. It was the first shutout in MLS All-Star history. The MLS All-Stars downed Celtic FC 2-1 in the 2007 game. In 2010, Manchester United became the first international club to beat the MLS All-Stars in a 5-2 win.
Member Comments