Armchair Analyst: MLS All-Stars top Tottenham Hotspur as Kaká shines brightest

Matthew Doyle

Remember last year, when Thierry Henry decided he'd be the best player on the field for 45 minutes against Bayern Munich? That's what Kaká did tonight in the MLS All-Stars' 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The captain was brilliant, and Nick Rimando (who should've taken the PK!) was brilliant in goal, and that was enough for the win.

Here are a few other takeaways:

1. Keep Moving

Ok, you probably think I'm going to focus on the goal or the assist. But those things are big and glaring and obvious, and it's easy to see what went right and what went wrong. Plus it's still just a friendly – no use harping too much on the score.

I want to focus on a small, individual duel and how Kaká gave a young Englishman a valuable lesson.

.@KAKA skill check. (Dier is clueless) #MLSAllStar pic.twitter.com/5t3jZOPJdy
— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) July 30, 2015

He pushed Kane to a tougher angle than he wanted, and laid off just enough to encourage the shot from 22 yards rather than commit and get beat on the blow-by. Kane just happened to unleash a world-class strike that no 'keeper in the history of the game would have saved.

Kane has a lot of gifts, but his Cyle Larin-esque hair-trigger shot is what will elevate him beyond other similarly well-rounded strikers. If you can get your shot off before the defender realizes he needs to close you down, or before the goalkeeper gets his feet set and can read your placement, then you will give yourself a greater window of opportunity to score goals.

The real Ronaldo was the master at this. Watch how many times the 'keeper gets wrong-footed on this highlight reel.

Kane's not going to be that good, of course. But he'll still be elite, and that's the reason Spurs once again have the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid trying to steal their candy.

One more thing: