All-Stars was entertaining ... Who'd've guessed?

I wasn't really looking forward to the MLS All-Star game ... like most people, I'm sure. I wasn't sure if I would watch. Turns out I did, and I'm glad I did. The match was fun from beginning to end; and I even found it relaxing since I didn't care who won or lost.

West Ham played well, but the players weren't going to hurt themselves in the process. That, and the fact that the Hammers probably aren't match fit yet, was really the factor that led to the MLSers controlling possession and territory so well.

But what was cool was watching Blanco and Beckham play together. Blanco actually was off with his passing and had several give-aways, but started getting into the groove and ended the half with a clever, skillful goal curving so nicely into the net. His earlier assist was even sweeter: picking up a pass from Beckham, Blanco popped the ball up then heel-flicked it to Christian Gomez, who slotted the ball clinically into the far netting. Becks-Blanco-Gomez-goal: That play right there made the All-Stars worth it.

B-Fall's blog has a good summary of the game. Here is a good article talking about DeRo and Onstad playing two MLS games the same day and in different countries. DeRo is capping off his day with a party benefiting Nothing But Nets.

Beckham played all 90 and looked very strong, particularly since no one cared if he helped with the defending.

DeRo, had some good flashes as a late sub, including a dangerous run that won a PK. I was surprised that he took the PK, and it was tense seeing his blast ping-ponging off the crossbar and into the net. With the goal, DeRo has another game winner for the All-Stars. The Creative Canuck made some nice runs and passing combos, which was all the more surprising since he had just wrapped up his MLS match in DC that morning. He was certainly pumped to be in front of his hometown fans. He had a solid free kick late in the game (Becks kindly let DeRo take the kick, I wager).

Onstad wasn't tested much, but did well with what he faced. I was very surprised to see him inserted in (just after DeRo's PK), but it was good to see him playing in this honorary game, as he is still one of the best in the league.

Landon Donovan was off his game and didn't seem to do anything.

And what was the formation there at the end, when Hejduk and Bornstein came off for Buddle and Ralston? Was it a 2 5 3? Ralston must've been playing as a back. It would be nice if the announcers would, you know, cover the game and instead of laughing over inside jokes or commenting on the obvious ("So-and-so would like to have that one back"). THEY can see the entire field. THEY should tell us how the formation is morphing as the game plays out and especially as subs come in.

Speaking of announcers, I have got my whole family to detest the "as wells" that Harkes includes in every other sentence regardless of whether the phrase is relevant. In the off-season, maybe Harksie can go to a speaking coach. I complain because I care.

I thought it was laughable towards the beginning of the game when JP Dellacamera thought the Toronto fans would even consider chanting "We want Landon." No, Harkes was right: they were chanting "We want Brennan." And while it was cool that JPD mentioned DeRo played a 4 hour game last night, it'd be even cooler if he pointed out that DeRo actually finished playing that match THIS MORNING.

Finally, I don't know if it started to drizzle during the game, but the turf looked matted and slick by the end of the match. I didn't see a lot of sliding and falling, but the field sure looked worn. Was that an optical illusion or does that brand of turf have issues with heavy use?

All in all, great energy in the game. Good performance by the Dynamo reps. The MLS "super stars" (Becks, Blanco, and Angel, who looked onside when scored what would've been the 4th goal for the MLSers and would've been an assist for DeRo) all played up to the moment for the spectators. West Ham acquitted themselves well too.

I'd have to say that, other than my gripe about the announcers, the only negative of the whole night is that sad trophy presentation. Why is the MLS giving a trophy to itself in what is basically a friendly exhibition match? Who keeps it? Does the trophy go into the MLS headquarters' trophy case? This is a festival of soccer, not a meaningful competition. Invite both teams onto a stage. Let them swap jerseys. Pick an MVP, maybe even one from both teams. Thank everyone for coming. Then let the music blare and the confetti canons fire away. Having a "hooray for us" ceremony is just sad.

Speaking of shirt-swapping: did you see DeRo wearing (Anton) Ferdinand's shirt? With those cornrows, DeRo looked a bit like Anton's brother, Rio Ferdinand. Cool.

In Other news:
Check out Garber's "State of the MLS" speech. We'll have two more teams come 2011 it seems. Where will we get the quality players? Cannibalization? In the halftime interview, Garber said that the McBride situation has been resolved. It looks like he's going to Chicago. ("I hope he ends up in Chicago, yuk, yuk, yuk," Garber guffawed in the interview.)

In Toronto, Dynamo-Houston make the moves necessary to pick up the speedy forward they've been wanting: Kei Kamara. He has scored only 2 goals this year (so far!) and one of them was against us back in May. Here is B-Fall's take.

Do you ever feel that the Dynamo's 2nd striker position (Ching's partner) is kind of like the percussionist situation with Spinal Tap? The band could never keep a drummer due to all sorts of bizarre events, including spontaneous combustion. We've had Alejandro Moreno, Ronald Cerritos (kind of), Paul Dalglish, Nate Jaqua, Joseph Ngwenya, Franco Caraccio, Nate Jaqua again, and now Kei Kamara. That's not even considering the Reserves and midfielders that have played up there as band-aid approaches. Here's hoping that Kamara is the piece needed by the Dynamo to finish the season strong.

North American Goats

Today, Dynamo Houston plays Chivas-Lite. In the brief history of the team, quite a little rivalry has developed between them and their caprine counterparts from the west -- a rivalry fed by highly physical play, short tempers, and exacerbated by Dynamo's emotional come-from-behind win of the playoff series last year.

Chivas USA has a passionate fan base, as does Dynamo. Chivas also brings a solid midfield with Amado Guevara, Jesse Marsch and Sacha Kljestan (who had a brilliant strike last week vs the team of Mo Johnston, hater of Serioux). Match them against DeRo, Rico Clark, and Mullan/Davis, and we should see some fun action in the middle of the field. There's also the background storyline that Ante Razov's next goal will get him to the century mark.

The US Goats have undergone substantial changes in their leadership (Preki is a rookie coach replacing veteran Bob Bradley) and their team (buh-bye Juan Pablo Garcia and Juan Francisco Palencia). At this point, their style of play seems to be the most Latin style in the MLS, with creative, open attacks, but equally open defense. I think Dynamo's attack will be able to exploit the defensive lapses, and Dynamo's disciplined defense will shore us up enough to carry the day for the Orange. Dynamo 2-0. If Chivas scores, it'll be from a set-piece...I say that even though I just said that their open, flowing attack is their strength. Oh well.

Lessee, my other predictions...
RSL over the Crew
DC over KC
New England over the Cannucks
FCD over NYRB
Colorado over Chicago

It seems I'm thinking the home teams are going to carry the day, except for NYRB.

Other thoughts...
I like the idea of an "MLS Anthem" to define the beginning of a 90 minute respite from the humdrum daily routine. Being that it is for an American league, it seems fitting that American musicians would be used; but the PTB ("powers that be") decided Prague was the way to go. Poor choice, if only for symbolic reasons. I like that the fact that Dynamo still incorporate their "Braveheart" intro into the proceedings, playing it after the anthem and after the opposition takes the field. I don't know how long the league PTB will allow it though, since they're trying to standardize the pre-game with both teams walking out together behind the officials.

Are we going to have a full-size, adult Championship flag flying today?

It seems at least one journalist likes the Dynamo Girls. Not much of a surprise, given that the commentator is Tino Palace.