COMMERCE CITY — Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni scoffed the other day when he was asked how he would coach the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday night against Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League.
“What am I going to tell these guys?” Mastroeni said of a side that not only boasted many of the best American players but two international superstars that have made MLS their home this year as well. “These guys are made men.”
Mastroeni, himself a nine-time all-star and U.S. national team player before beginning his coaching career last season, said he would “allow these guys to do what they do and not get in their way, just allow them to express themselves.”
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Good strategy. The MLS All-Stars parlayed an opportunistic first half into a 2-1 victory before a standing-room-only crowd of 18,671 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Fielding a starting lineup that was essentially a U.S. national team side augmented by international stars Kaká (Brazil) and David Villa (Spain) — both of whom have played on World Cup winning teams — MLS struck early and easily after Tottenham defender Kyle Walker was called for a handball in the penalty area. Kaká, who joined MLS with expansion Orlando City SC this year, put away the penalty kick in the 20th minute for a 1-0 lead.
Villa, who joined MLS this year with New York City FC, redirected a pass from Kaká three minutes later for what would prove to be the winning goal from just outside the 6-yard box.
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“Congratulations to these guys. We played tonight an amazing game,” said Kaká, who was the MLS captain and the game’s MVP. (Thursday) everybody will see in the soccer news that MLS team beat a very important European team, Tottenham. … Much more than I have expected. I am so happy for this night. Not bad for my first all-star. I hope in the next years I can enjoy all all-star games.”
Tottenham delighted its many supporters in attendance in the 36th minute when its exciting young forward, Harry Kane, gathered the ball at midfield, backed down retreating defender Omar Gonzalez of the Los Angeles Galaxy and fired a rocket from just outside the penalty area to halve the MLS advantage. Kane, who was named England’s young player of the year last season after scoring 31 goals, celebrated his 22nd birthday in Denver on Tuesday.
Mastroeni replaced his lineup in full for the second half, including Rapids players Drew Moor and Sam Cronin. The momentum swung to Spurs, who finished fifth in the English Premier League last season and open a new season a week from Saturday against Manchester United. Tottenham had two-thirds of the ball possession in the second half, but the British side was unable to equalize.
“Tottenham as a whole proved their quality tonight,” said Moor, who played in his first all-star game. “Anytime you can beat Tottenham, whether its a friendly or Premier League game, it’s a great night.”
Moor had a challenge marking Kane, who scored 31 goals last season, but survived unscathed.
“Harry is a special player and to go against him and (perform) what I thought was very well, that definitely was a big moment for me,” Moor said. “Anytime Harry Kane is around the goal or in the penalty area you’ve got to get close to him, and I thought we did a really good job with that — especially in the second half.”
U.S. national team forward Jozy Altidore, who has played in Europe but toils now for Toronto FC, was proud of the MLS showing.
“Sometimes a lot of people think it’s an easy league,” Altidore said. “But you saw, they played against a top half (of EPL) team, and the first half I thought the MLS was the better team, so that’s a good sign that the league will continue to grow.”
