John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
The 2013 MLS All-Star Game was entertaining when looking at one team but extremely disappointing while looking at the other. There is no need to take a guess at which side fits each bill as the final score should reveal it all: AS Roma 3, MLS All-Stars 1.
The Italian side came into the game with a simple game plan: stick with the formation throughout the entire match, control the midfield, defend every single attack and counter at will using the wings or straight down the middle. All three goals scored were executed thanks to that plan.
The All-Stars were good individually but could not connect as a team. One would think that the league’s best coming together to play a special game representing the entire nation would automatically mean success. Unfortunately, gathering a bunch of guys who aren’t together on a weekly basis and expecting them to play one of Europe’s better teams is a bit too much to ask for.
Roma were calm throughout the match. Whether it was long-time superstar captain Francesco Totti, new addition Kevin Strootman or American international Michael Bradley, the midfield as well as the defense and attack were well prepared and this caused the MLS stars a lot of trouble.
Landon Donovan came into the match during the second half and his pace did cause the Serie A side some problems. He did not start due to fan voting not allowing him into the starting 11.
Camilo Sanvezzo connected with Omar Gonzalez right before the final whistle when his free kick into the heart of the area was headed home by the big defender. This was truly the highlight of the night for them … nothing more.
This performance once again proved to the world that the MLS has a long way to go. Sure we could blame this on the fatigue of certain players, lack of concentration, players not being used to one another and the opposition playing in a much more competitive league, but at the end of the day, one side is clearly better than the other. In the future, the All-Stars have to come more prepared to face opposition of this quality.
