For the fourth time in four tries the MLS All-Stars defeated a major international opponent in the league's midsummer showcase, this time shutting out Celtic FC, 2-0, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The All-Stars have now earned wins against teams from Mexico (CD Guadalajara, 2003), England (Fulham FC 2005; Chelsea FC, 2006) and Scotland.
The league will look to keep the streak alive next summer at Toronto's BMO Field, as the expansion club will host the 2008 event against an opponent that has yet to be determined.
Revolution trio leads: All-Star coach Steve Nicol called on three of his regulars from the New England Revolution to be in the starting lineup against Celtic FC. Goalkeeper Matt Reis played the opening 45 minutes, defender Michael Parkhurst played 83 minutes and midfielder Shalrie Joseph went the full 90, though he limped off the field with apparent cramping in the closing moments.
"I think obviously, for everybody connected with New England, it's a great honor for us to have three players in this lineup," said Nicol. "I think they all deserved to be here, first and foremost. It's great to see them getting the reward out with their own team."
A Chivas debut: Jonathan Bornstein became the first Chivas USA player ever to take part in an MLS All-Star Game Thursday. Two of the Red-and-White's players were selected as All-Stars a year ago, though neither was able to take part in the match.
Bornstein started and played the full 90 minutes, effectively shutting down Celtic FC's forwards and also getting forward on occasion to provide service from the flanks.
"I was told that a little earlier this week, that I was the first representative of Chivas and it meant a whole lot more to me after I found that out," said the 22-year-old California native. "Just to represent my club and all my other teammates that make me look better on the field than I probably am. It was definitely a pleasure, and I'd like to dedicate it to the Chivas organization and my family and everyone like that."
Viva Colombia! Two players hailing from Colombia were on the 2007 MLS All-Star roster, and each found the net in the game to give the side the victory. Veteran Juan Pablo Angel opened the scoring after 36 minutes and Toja sealed the result just before halftime.
Each was appearing in an All-Star Game for the first time in his career and each enjoyed taking part in the festivities.
"For me it was a unique experience. As I said before, I have been here only two months and being called to play a part in the All-Star Game is a great experience," said Angel, who leads the New York Red Bulls with nine goals in only 11 appearances. "It makes [me] look forward for the rest of my time here. I want to be involved next year again because it absolutely was a great experience for me today."
"I'm new. It's very interesting to me and I'm very happy," said Toja through an interpreter. "And today fortunately we were able to do things well and I scored a goal so I'm very happy."
Johnson joins elite club: Kansas City's Eddie Johnson joined an elite All-Star club on Thursday when he missed his penalty kick effort. It was just the second time in MLS history that a player has missed from the spot. The first was Mexican legend Luis Hernandez in 2000, who was denied by then-MetroStars backstop Tim Howard.
Perhaps it was karma, as Johnson admitted after the match that he was in fact looking for the call.
"He bumped me a little bit and I went down," said the U.S. international. "That's what they coach us to do as forwards. I did the hard part right. The easy part was to score it. That's soccer, at the end of the day."
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
