MLS All-Star Game features top format, Zelalem, entertainment value

MLS's All-Stars will aim to establish chemistry and prove a point against an Arsenal side missing three of its standout players.

Brian Straus | Jul 27, 2016

MLS All-Star Game features top format, Zelalem, entertainment value /

The last time San Jose hosted the MLS All-Star Game, there were 12 goals, 60 shots, players who re-entered after being substituted and sports bra goal celebrations by Jim Rooney and a bleach-blonde Landon Donovan. There was some entertainment value to that 2001 spectacle, but the 6-6 draw didn’t offer much that resembled genuine soccer.

If a pro sports league insists on interrupting its season to stage an all-star game, there needs to be some of both.

MLS will try to provide that Thursday evening when the event returns to the Bay Area, this time to the San Jose Earthquakes’ year-old venue, Avaya Stadium. The MLS All-Star team, featuring players selected by fans, commissioner Don Garber and Quakes coach Dom Kinnear, will face Arsenal in the 13th edition of the MLS-vs.-foreign-club format.

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It isn’t an easy event to squeeze in. There are league games this weekend, the CONCACAF Champions League kicks off next week and Arsenal’s roster is incomplete owing to the recent conclusion of Euro 2016.

But MLS continues to stage the exhibition, and thanks to its increasing star power and some inevitable competitive juices, this all-star game offers a bit more than others.

So, if you’re going to check in on this friendly with a twist, you should keep on eye on the following:

The format works

There’s no perfect way to find that ideal combination of fun, which sports are allowed to be sometimes, and competition. But pitting a group of MLS players against a big-name foreign club is the closest any all-star game organizer has come to finding the formula.

As other leagues continue to hatch increasingly desperate gimmicks to entice people to watch—this year the NHL staged a three-on-three tournament, for example—the MLS All-Star Game looks like soccer, features opponents that make sense (we’re still trying to figure out what "Team Irvin" is) and appears to be a game that many participants want to win. There’s some defense, a bit of tackling and even the occasional sideline spat (see Porter vs. Guardiola). Scores are reasonable at 3.75 goals per game under the current format and few invitees bow out.

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It matters as much as a game that doesn’t matter can matter. MLS players want to demonstrate their quality to a big-name opponent and a worldwide audience (the match will air in 166 countries), and once they start trying, an opponent hoping to avoid embarrassment usually finds another gear. Sometimes, soccer results.

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“It’s a friendly game, but we obviously want to show how far our league has grown … and we want to show against a very good team like Arsenal that the level of play and the quality of players we have in this league is at a very high level,” New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan said Tuesday in San Jose. “I think we’ll put in a competitive effort. I think all of us as players have that fire inside us to win all the time, so it think we’ll give our best effort.”

The All-Stars have won eight of the 11 games against foreign opposition. The last defeat came in 2013 to AS Roma and one of the heaviest was a 5-2 loss to Manchester United in 2010. Kinnear, who coached that game as well, said there was a “sickening feeling” among the MLS players afterward.

“They’ve won the games most of the time. We know we face a very determined and motivated team,” Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said. “We are Arsenal Football Club. We are under pressure every time to win the game. We play to win and we want to win as always with style and respecting our identity and values.”

Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

An American on Arsenal

There are 13 Americans on the MLS All-Star team and one, 19-year-old Gedion Zelalem, on Arsenal. It’s fair to say that many U.S. fans will be paying more attention to the latter than any of the former.

It was big news when Zelalem, who was born in Berlin to Ethiopian parents and moved to the Washington, D.C., area 10 years ago, gained U.S. citizenship in 2014. He’s a creative midfielder who joined Arsenal’s academy in the spring of 2013 and could have represented the country of his birth or that of his parents—he played for Germany at the junior level—but he eventually opted for the U.S. and made his debut with the U-20 team in May 2015. At that time, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said, “He’s a special player. I think he’s already at a level that he can definitely play on the senior team.”

U.S. Soccer in 2016: USMNT and USWNT year in photos

Klinsmann fired, replaced by Arena

Jurgen Klinsmann was fired after the USA's World Cup qualifying loss in Costa Rica, bringing an end to more than five years in charge. He was replaced by Bruce Arena, who returns to the bench after coaching the USA from 1998-2006.

USMNT vs. Costa Rica, November 15

The dejected faces on Bobby Wood, left, and John Brooks say it all, as the U.S. drops to 0-2-0 in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Hexagonal following a 4-0 loss and embarrassment at Costa Rica.

USWNT vs. Romania, November 13

Morgan Brian gets a congratulatory hug after her converted penalty kick, which helped the U.S. women close out 2016 with a 5-0 rout of Romania at StubHub Center in Carson, California.

USMNT vs. Mexico, November 11

Mexico players celebrate Rafa Marquez's late winner, which delivered a 2-1 triumph for El Tri over the USA to open the CONCACAF Hexagonal. It ended years of U.S. domination over Mexico in Columbus.

USWNT vs. Romania, November 10

Crystal Dunn congratulates Christen Press on one of her three goals as the USA handled Romania with ease, winning 8-1 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California.

USWNT vs. Switzerland, October 23

Carli Lloyd gets a hearty welcome after scoring on a long-range blast to kick-start the U.S. in a 5-1 rout of Switzerland in Minneapolis.

USWNT vs. Switzerland, October 19

A new-look U.S. women's team routed Switzerland 4-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, with Samantha Mewis (3) at the center of the celebrations after scoring the final goal of four-goal second half.

USMNT vs. New Zealand, October 11

Julian Green is congratulated by captain Michael Bradley after scoring the opener, but the U.S. was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw vs. New Zealand in the last game before the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying Hexagonal kicks off.

USMNT vs. Cuba, October 7

Chris Wondolowski scored a goal and assisted on another, as the USA continued World Cup qualifying preparations by beating Cuba 2-0 in a historic friendly in Havana.

USWNT vs. Netherlands, September 18

Carli Lloyd celebrates her goal that kicks off the scoring for the USA in a 3-1 win over the Netherlands at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

USWNT vs. Thailand, September 15

U.S. women's national team co-captain Carli Lloyd happily signs autographs after scoring a hat trick in a 9-0 romp over Thailand in Columbus, Ohio.

USWNT vs. Thailand, September 15

Megan Rapinoe kneels for the national anthem ahead of the U.S. women's national team's match vs. Thailand, continuing her public protest in line with that of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

USMNT vs. Trinidad & Tobago, September 6

Fabian Johnson, Christian Pulisic and Sacha Kljestan celebrate during a 4-0 win, which cemented the USA's place atop its World Cup qualifying group and a berth in the CONCACAF hexagonal.

Hope Solo's USWNT contract terminated

Following the USWNT's Olympic loss to Sweden, Hope Solo lashed out at the opposition, calling them "cowards" and drawing the ire of U.S. Soccer. The incident pushed the federation over the edge, and it terminated the goalkeeper's contract while suspending her six months–meaning any chance at reinstatement won't be possible until February.

USWNT vs. Sweden, August 12

The long and stunned faces say it all, as the U.S. women try to comprehend a penalty-kick loss to Sweden in the Olympic quarterfinals. The 4-3 PK defeat after a 1-1 draw marked the earliest ouster for the U.S. women in a major competition ever.

USWNT vs. Colombia, August 9

Hope Solo lets a Catalina Usme free kick slip through her hands and legs in a shocking 2-2 draw. The USA still won its Olympic group despite the slip-up.

USWNT vs. France, August 6

Carli Lloyd scores the only goal in a 1-0 win over a stout France side to punch the USA's ticket to the knockout stage at the Olympics.

USWNT vs. New Zealand, August 3

Carli Lloyd celebrates her goal in the USA's 2-0 win over New Zealand in their opening match of group play at the Olympics. Alex Morgan doubled the USA's lead in the second half.

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, July 22

Christen Press and Carli Lloyd celebrate an easy 4-0 win, which sent the U.S. on its way to Rio with an unbeaten record in 2016.

USWNT vs. South Africa, July 9

Hope Solo salutes the crowd after posting the 100th clean sheet of her career in a 1-0 win in Chicago. Crystal Dunn scored the lone goal.

USMNT vs. Colombia, June 25

For a second time at Copa America, the USA falls to Colombia, with Carlos Bacca's goal the difference in a 1-0 result in the third-place match in Arizona.

USMNT vs. Argentina, June 21

Lionel Messi converts an incredible free kick to punctuate a dominant performance for Argentina against the USA in the Copa America semifinals.

USMNT vs. Ecuador, June 16

Goal scorers Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes share a celebratory hug with Matt Besler in the Copa America quarterfinals, where the Americans held on for a 2-1 win and a place in the semis.

USMNT vs. Paraguay, June 11

Clint Dempsey celebrates his goal in a 1-0 win over Paraguay, which secured the USA's place in the Copa America knockout stage.

USMNT vs. Costa Rica, June 7

Bobby Wood caps a dominating first half for the USA in a must-win game vs. Costa Rica in Chicago at Copa America. Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones and Graham Zusi also scored.

USWNT vs. Japan, June 5

Co-captain Becky Sauerbrunn defends as the U.S. bounces back to shut out Japan 2-0 in a rain-shortened friendly in Cleveland.

USMNT vs. Colombia, June 3

James Rodriguez beats Brad Guzan from the penalty spot in Colombia's 2-0 win over the USA to open Copa America Centenario.

USWNT vs. Japan, June 2

Lindsey Horan heads the USA in front to cap a comeback from two goals down, but the Americans conceded in extra time to 10-woman Japan, settling for a 3-3 draw.

USMNT vs. Bolivia, May 29

Christian Pulisic scores his first international goal in the USA's 4-0 win over Bolivia in a final tune-up for Copa America. Gyasi Zardes scored twice, and John Brooks added one of his own in the triumph.

USMNT vs. Ecuador, May 25

Darlington Nagbe is hugged by Christian Pulisic after his 90th-minute volley delivers a 1-0 victory for the USA in a pre-Copa America friendly.

USMNT vs. Puerto Rico, May 22

Tim Ream scores the opening goal in the USA's 3-0 win over Puerto Rico in the first meeting between the two sides. Bobby Wood and Paul Arriola scored as well.

USWNT vs. Colombia, April 10

Julie Johnston, left, is mobbed after one of her two goals in a 3-0 USA win at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania.

USWNT vs. Colombia, April 6

Allie Long, left scores twice, and five other players score as well in a 7-0 rout of Colombia in East Hartford, Connecticut.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 29

Christian Pulisic, 17, makes his U.S. debut in a World Cup qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, becoming cap-tied to the USA. He was otherwise eligible for Croatia.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 29

Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore celebrate during a thorough 4-0 World Cup qualifying win, putting the USA's campaign back on track after the setback in Guatemala.

USMNT vs. Guatemala, March 25

There was no way through for DeAndre Yedlin and the USA during a 2-0 loss in Guatemala in what was a stunning setback in the Americans' World Cup qualifying campaign.

USWNT vs. Germany, March 9

The USWNT celebrates the inaugural SheBelieves Cup title after beating European powers England, France and Germany in succession.

USWNT vs. Germany, March 9

The U.S. celebrates Alex Morgan's equalizer vs. Germany in the SheBelieves Cup in Boca Raton, Florida. Samantha Mewis's winner a few minutes later cemented the Americans' overall triumph in the competition.

USWNT vs. France, March 6

Alex Morgan scores the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over France in the second game of the SheBelieves Cup in Nashville, Tennessee.

USWNT vs. England, March 3

Crystal Dunn is mobbed after her game-winning goal kicks off the SheBelieves Cup in a 1-0 triumph in Tampa Bay, Florida.

USWNT vs. Canada, February 21

Lindsey Horan celebrates her goal that helps the USA to a 2-0 win over Canada and a first-place finish in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying.

USWNT vs. Trinidad and Tobago, February 19

Alex Morgan celebrates one of her three goals that helped the U.S. clinch a berth in the 2016 Olympics after a 5-0 triumph in Houston.

USWNT vs. Puerto Rico, February 15

Crystal Dunn scores one of her five goals, tying a single-game U.S. record in a 10-0 rout to close group play in Olympic qualifying.

USWNT vs. Mexico, February 13

The U.S. needed a penalty kick from Carli Lloyd to beat Mexico 1-0 in the second match of CONCACAF's Olympic qualifying tournament.

USWNT vs. Costa Rica, February 10

Alex Morgan scores the fastest goal in U.S. history, netting 12 seconds into the USWNT's Olympic qualifying campaign and sending the Americans on their way to a 5-0 win.

USMNT vs. Canada, February 5

Jozy Altidore heads in the winner to secure a 1-0 win over Canada at StubHub Center to cap the annual winter training camp.

USMNT vs. Iceland, January 31

Steve Birnbaum heads in a late winner in a 3-2 victory over Iceland in the opening match of the year.

USWNT vs. Ireland, January 23

17-year-old Mallory Pugh scores on her debut, helping cap a 5-0 win for the USA to open the year. Carli Lloyd led the way with a hat trick, and Alex Morgan scored as well in San Diego.

But Zelalem wasn’t ready for Arsenal, which loaned him to Glasgow’s Rangers FC last summer.

A player ready for the U.S. senior team should have made an impact in the Scottish second division, but Zelalem’s form was indifferent and he spent time on the bench, ultimately appearing in 16 games without scoring a goal. He returned to Arsenal at the conclusion of the season.

“He might be a bit longer to mature because he is a little bit behind on the body structure," Wenger said Tuesday. "But I’m sure he will be a great player who matures maybe a bit slowly physically. But overall, I’m convinced that he’ll have a great career.”

Wenger said Zelalem will see the field at Avaya, which means U.S. fans will be able to check on his progress.

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The build-up to Wenger’s record 21st season at Arsenal is going to start slowly thanks to a summer packed with international commitments. The excitement over seeing Zelalem will be mitigated by the absence of genuine all-stars Alexis Sánchez, Mesut Özil and Olivier Giroud, the club’s three leading scorers last season. Sánchez is extending his offseason and recovering from an ankle injury following Chile’s run to the Copa América Centenario title while Özil (Germany) and Giroud (France) recover from deep runs at Euro 2016.

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Sánchez and Giroud combined to score 41 goals in 2015-16 and Özil had eight. The offense on Thursday will have to come from elsewhere.

Fans will get a look at England international Jack Wilshere, who missed most of last season after breaking his leg, as well as Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. New Swiss signing Granit Xhaka will be available, as well Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell, who has given the U.S. fits in international play.

There’s quality there, but as goalkeeper Petr Cech said Tuesday, Arsenal is just getting started.

“The players from the MLS All-Star team, they’re obviously in the middle of their seasons. They are fit—match fit—and they have the advantage,” he said. “For us, it’s always to challenging to play teams like that.”

All-Stars searching for chemistry

After lauding their fitness, Cech then referenced the All-Stars Achilles’ heel.

“I think it’s always a big question mark when you have a team that never played together and suddenly you have all the players coming for one or two days,” he said.

There’s barely any time, only one practice and liberal substitution rules. Somehow, through all of that, Kinnear has to find a combination or two that might get the job done.

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He could go with raw star power, throwing the likes of David Villa, Sebastian Giovinco, Andrea Pirlo and Kaká on the field together and hoping their quality makes the difference.

Or he could look for partnerships and familiarity. Clint Dempsey, Chris Wondolowski, Darlington Nagbe, Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman just spent six weeks training together with the U.S. national team, for example.

“When you’re with the All-Stars, it becomes a huge glut of the top players in our league,” Kinnear said.

If something isn't working, Kinnear will have plenty of leeway to change it. But it will be interesting to see who he deploys, how conservative they play and what sort of chemistry the All-Stars are able to establish.

Published Jul 27, 2016

BRIAN STRAUS

A lifelong soccer player, coach and fan, Brian Straus joined SI in 2013 after covering the sport for The Washington Post, AOL and Sporting News.