MLS All-Star Game 2012: Score, Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

In a stunning Wednesday night upset in Philadelphia, the MLS All-Stars pulled off a 3-2 victory over reigning Champions League champs Chelsea thanks to a stoppage-time goal that nobody could have seen coming.The MLS All-Stars got on the board first, with San Jose Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski scoring in the 21st minute. "Wondo," a California native, took a cross from New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry and managed to find the back of the net after a Chelsea defender failed to make a clearance.Chelsea was not to be outdone, though, as centre-back John Terry found the back of the net with his head in the 32nd minute. All was quiet for the remainder of the first half and the two teams went into the break drawn knotted at 1-1.The Blues threatened from the moment they stepped on field after the break, and it looked like only a matter of time until the MLS defensive dam would burst. That was indeed the case, as Roberto Di Matteo's side took the lead in the 58th on a goal by Frank Lampard that was given to him on a silver platter.Had this been anything more than an exhibition, Chelsea very well may ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. FC Dallas: 10 Bold Predictions

In the middle of the Olympics, and after the MLS All-Star Game against Chelsea...there is more MLS soccer. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Galaxy take on FC Dallas at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, Texas.The Galaxy sport a 9-10-3 record (30 points) and can break even win a win this weekend. As for FC Dallas, manager Schellas Hyndman is on borrowed time as the Hoops have struggled to a 5-10-7 record (22 points).Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be televised by NBC Sports. Here are 10 bold predictions for Saturday night's showdown between the Galaxy and FC Dallas.Begin Slideshow

MLS All-Stars vs. Chelsea: Bold Predictions for Showcase Exhibition

The MLS All-Stars are going to make a statement by taking down the defending Champions League winners Chelsea. Of course, the statement will be somewhat muted, considering this is nothing but a tune up for Chelsea. Yet that makes it even more important for the all-stars to produce a good showing—and they will. The last two years, the all-stars were embarrassed by mighty Manchester United by a combined score of 9-2. The all-stars will be trying hard to prove they are able to hang with the big boys better than those lopsided outcomes indicate. Let's get into the specifics of how the game, which will be Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET, will unfold.  High Scoring AffairThe all-stars played Chelsea in 2006. They won that match by a score of 1-0. This one will feature quite a bit more scoring. The MLS side was shutout last year, and it will be on full attack to prevent that from happening again. Meanwhile, Chelsea has little reason to put full effort into team defense. This will leave some opening for the all-stars, and for their part, they certainly won't be able to keep Chelsea off the board this time around. There will be at least five goals scored in this contest.  MLS ...

Columbus Crew at Sporting KC: What Can a Casual Fan Expect from a MLS Game?

In March, my eldest nephew, 8, accompanied me to WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami. His brother, 5, had to stay at home. Unsurprisingly, the five-year-old only had one thing to say: "It's not fair!" It didn't appease him that he can go to WrestleMania with me in three years, so I had to find a substitute. Since these boys are at a very impressionable age (and still think I'm a cool enough uncle to emulate), I have a great deal of influence when it comes to choosing professional sports teams to support. I have one team in each of the five majors (including the MLS), and my nephews have duly accepted these teams as their own. So to pacify the five-year-old, I told him that he and I will make a weekend trip out of a professional soccer game. Since we both reside within the 515 area code (home to Des Moines and the Iowa State Cyclones), I decided to take him to see a game in Kansas City. However, Sporting KC is not my MLS team; I support the Columbus Crew. My sister has already ordered a jersey for my nephew, who calls me several times a week to ask ...

MLS All-Stars vs. Chelsea: Why the MLS Will Topple the European Champs

The MLS All-Stars will out-class Chelsea en route to a major upset. These two sides will square off tonight, as a band of the best Major League Soccer players come together in a matchup against the European Champions in Philadelphia. While Chelsea features the more talented roster, exhibition matches tend to be fickle things. Often, the top players on each side will only play in a short burst; then, the game comes down to whichever side of reserves wants it more. For Chelsea, that means some of their younger stars will get the opportunity to prove themselves and push for playing time when the league season kicks off next month. However, for the MLS All-Stars, there is significantly more on the line—pride. This may not sound like much, but these players are consistently told that the level of soccer in the MLS isn't on par with that of the top European leagues. That constant knock on their brand has to wear on these players, and you will surely see a passionate effort from these talented North American footballers. Still, it will be a tough matchup. Chelsea has some of the top talents in the world, including, English stars Ashley Cole ...

David Beckham’s Top 10 MLS Moments

Like it or not, David Beckham is the most widely known MLS player in the world.He's a flagship player, and has been ever since he arrived with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.Debate will undoubtedly rage forever about the effectiveness that Beckham has had in "winning Americans over to soccer," as argument goes.Yet he has certainly had an impact, scoring trademark free kicks and whipping in beautiful crosses for his Galaxy teammates.So what have been Beckham's top MLS moments? Here's a look at a few.Begin Slideshow

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Rating the Galaxy Players

This will be the first of two matches in which I just provide numbers and a summary of my thoughts on the players donning the Punjab third kit strip of the Los Angeles Galaxy. There may be more if the Galaxy schedule some end-of-season friendlies. All in all, I think this was a very gutsy performance by Bruce Arena's Galaxy. Believe it or not, they were just as capable of winning this match as Andre Villas-Boas's Tottenham Hotspur were, as both teams were inept with their finishing. But leave it to David Junior Lopes to make Tottenham look like an MLS side tonight.When you don't clear a set piece properly in the 28th minute, and let a similarly unheralded player in Hector Jimenez single out Lopes for his first-ever Galaxy goal, it makes you wonder, are Tottenham really going to take the Premier League this season? I mean, they didn't run over Stevenage in their first preseason game (they only won 2-0), and it wasn't a completely awful display (see Gareth Bale).But when you take on the best teams in the world, you tend to play your best game. The Galaxy didn't have David Beckham. The Galaxy didn't have Landon ...

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Tottenham Hotspur: 6 Things We Learned

Tuesday was a great night for football, but a poor night for finishing as Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy took on Andre Villas-Boas's Tottenham before a crowd of over 25,000 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.The match ended in a 1-1 draw. A gutsy performance for Los Angeles, but a disappointing outing for Tottenham, who had this game in hand on paper.Spurs continue their preseason on July 28 against Liverpool in Baltimore, while the Galaxy continue their 2012 MLS season this weekend against FC Dallas.Here are six things we learned in this friendly match between the Galaxy and Spurs.Begin Slideshow

MLS All-Star Game 2012: The 4 Players with the Most to Prove

On Wednesday the best MLS has to offer will face off against the defending European Champions Chelsea.Historically the MLS All-Stars have had mixed results against visiting clubs, with results varying anywhere from solid victories to crushing losses.While there may not be too much on the line for Chelsea, there will be many youngsters who want to solidify their place in the squad.As for the guys from the States and Canada, many of them want to prove that they can play against some of the best in the world and they will go all out for this matchup. Here are the top five players who have something to prove against the West Londoners.Begin Slideshow

Alexi Lalas Talks AT&T MLS All-Star Game with B/R’s Thomas Atzenhoffer

The AT&T MLS All-Star Game is only a day away, and as anticipation builds, I had the chance to spend an afternoon on the phone with former Major League Soccer star Alexi Lalas talking about the upcoming match and all things soccer. Lalas has a resume that would make any American soccer player proud. His career achievements include the 1991 Hermann Trophy, representing the United States as a two-time Olympian in 1992 and 1996, as well as being a member of both the 1994 and 1998 World Cup squads. Lalas also enjoyed a great club career with time in Italy, Ecuador and the United States' MLS. His last career move to the L.A. Galaxy is where he finally achieved major club success. During his three seasons with the Galaxy, he raised the 2000 CONCACAF Champions' Cup, 2001 US Open Cup, 2002 MLS Cup and the 2002 MLS Supporters Shield before retiring in 2003. However, a lot of things have changed since the ESPN analyst and Major League Soccer Hall of Fame inductee last played in an MLS All-Star Game in 1999. During his time in the league, MLS All-Star games were played in a traditional East versus West or U.S. ...