When the MLS elite suit up to take on Chelsea in next week's 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game (July 25, 8:30 pm ET, ESPN2, TeleFutura, TSN, RDS), everyone will be waiting for a moment of magic.
Will it be a matchwinner? Will it be a golazo? Will it compare with our three favorite goals in All-Star history?
1. Tab Ramos, Eastern All-Stars (1996)
The opening script could not have been any better.
Carlos Valderrama whipped a ball to the right side of the box and found a streaking Ramos (above) who did the rest from there. He took it off his chest before pinging a half-volley to the far-post and giving the East a 1-0 lead just 14 minutes into the game. The skill was superb and the moment was even better.
Ramos volleyed his way into the history books and set the stage for All-Star Games to come.
2. Jason Kreis, Western All-Stars (2004)
Before Jason Kreis was orchestrating from the sidelines, he was conducting on the field.
In the 88th minute, Kreis took a feed at the top of the box from Landon Donovan and belted home a screeching one-timer that went off the post and into the back of the net. Although the West ended up losing 3-2 to the East, Kreis' goal was what the fans talked about on their way out of the stadium.
3. Tom Cleverley, Manchester United (2010)
There were plenty of goals when Manchester United took part in the All-Star Game for the first time in 2010, in Houston, and walked away with a 5-2 win.
But none was on par with the 73rd-minute strike from United’s Tom Cleverley.
A chip into the 18-yard-box by Darren Fletcher found Cleverley, and the young Englishman did the rest. A deft touch with his left foot sent the ball over one of the MLS defenders before he buried his volley past goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
Yes, we know, there are other great ones. (Paging, Mr. Preki.) So let us know which one was your favorite.
