MLS Popular Names vs. Bayern Munich

Notice the asterisk by All Star in the title and the match-up: Popular names v. Bayern. Unfortunately, like the last few editions of this game that I’ve watched, MLS will not be represented by its most deserving performers. Instead we see a player like Landon Donovan selected as an All Star, despite struggling to find consistent form throughout the season – I will say his form improved in a big way when JK left him off the 23-man WC squad. MLS isn’t exactly overflowing with world class players, but most of us who follow the league believe there are more deserving selections than Landon Donovan for this spot, given that he was voted onto the team as a forward. MLS’s all time leading goal scorer is certainly an All Star caliber player in this league and still manages to produce like crazy: he has 4 goals and 7 assists in 17 appearances with the Galaxy so far in 2014. But I think many fans are disappointing to see LD in particular get the nod when Dom Dwyer, the young Englishmen, has been ripping it up with 14 goals in 22 appearances for Sporting KC this season. Omar Gonzalez, the USMNT World Cup vet, is an All Star despite appearing in only eight games for the Galaxy in 2014. I can excuse selections like these due to this being a World Cup year. The league succeeded in its massive push to acquire as many WC2014 participants as possible prior to the start of the tournament. Now MLS is trying to promote their World Cup veterans to boost the league’s profile and the ASG represents one of their best chances to do this. I counted 9 players from 2014 World Cup rosters on the original MLS ASG roster, and that doesn’t even include the likes of Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane, Jermaine Defoe and a fella Nigeria really could have used in Brazil, Obafemi Martins (if you haven’t seen it already, check out this goal, GK’s reaction is awesome):

The All Stars MLS will be showcasing tonight in Portland are an exciting group in terms of names. Many of these big names are deserving of that selection too, and even for those less deserving, I understand why World Cup veterans in MLS get a free pass to the ASG as the league tries to build its brand. But with a large roster, I would like to see a few more spots dedicated to the players who are most deserving of the honor. Breakout performances from unknowns should be rewarded with these kinds of accolades, which mean so much more to a young American trying to make it in MLS than the set-to-retire legend Thierry Henry (19 games, 5 goals and 10 assist for Red Bulls in 2014). In conclusion, I am totally okay with MLS constructing an All Star roster of mostly big names, I understand the reasoning behind it. But going forward, this event could be used as a way to promote some of the young talent around the league and contribute to the building of America’s youth system.

Speaking of young talent, MLS introduced a new concept to the All Star festivities for this year: The Chipotle MLS Home-grown game – great sponsor. With the All Star festivities starting over the weekend and wrapping up tonight with the match v. Bayern, the homegrown match actually happened on Monday night in front of a pretty solid crowd from what I hear. The game was streamed online, I certainly did not watch, but heard good things about it on Twitter. The matchup featured Portland’s U23 side vs. a selection of the best homegrown players from MLS academies across the league. I was skeptical about the concept at first, but the league promoted the game really well and I think going forward, this will be a much bigger deal. For all those out there wanting to see the USMNT program grow from the ground up, a homegrown game is a great idea. It encourages MLS clubs to strengthen their academies so that they can get those homegrowns on the pitch for MLS action and then get them into this “U23 ASG” of sorts. Not shockingly, the little lads played out to a 0-0 draw.

One of the reasons for my optimism about this homegrown game going forward is that MLS has done a brilliant job turning their All Star game into a huge event and city wide party. I remember watching MLS beat Chelsea 3-2 in Philly’s gorgeous riverfront stadium in 2012.

I enjoyed the match and thought it was good for the league to get some exposure on the World Wide Leader. Americans have shown for years how much they enjoy watching big European clubs in the summer months. Playing these high profile opponents is good for the league, but more importantly, MLS found a way to make soccer cool and fun with their All Star Game “festivities” model (that is what I am calling it). Last year in Kansas City was a completely different animal. Media members and club supporters from around the country flooded the City of Fountains for a series of events that turned KC into Soccer City USA for a few days – this occurred in 2013, but try to recall those viewing parties ESPN kept showing in the Power and Lights district of KC during their World Cup coverage, Kansas City loves them some soccer. Participants flew in over the weekend and many attended a Gold Cup final viewing party on Sunday night. There was a concert with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis on Monday, and finally the All Stars got their pants pulled down by Totti and AS Roma on Wednesday night. Despite the beat-down, the concept of All Star Festivities, rather than just a game, was a huge success. Like Philly in 2012 and SKC in 2013, Portland Timbers were awarded the right to host the 2014 All Star Game because of their sellout crowds and incredible fan base.

MLS is using the ASG as a way to incentivize its clubs to create world class, European soccer atmospheres inside their stadiums. This year, it seems like even more soccer people around the country are joining in the All Star festivities. The schedule is similar to last year: the Flaming Lips put on an outdoor concert but the addition of the homegrown game on Monday was great touch. MLS is not only incentivizing clubs to create great atmospheres with their All Star Game location. By selecting markets like KC and Portland, which have unbelievably passionate but still classy supporters, MLS ensures their All Star event will be fun and buzzing with excitement emanating from that local fan-base. I honestly think Bayern Munich has been impressed with Portland and MLS from a business, marketing and supporters standpoint. This is a unique game for MLS simply because they were able to draw the Bavarian Giants. Something about the super snazzy Germans coming to the relatively small Portland media market is bizarre to me, in a good way though. Bayern Munich playing in the MLS ASG seems to be raising more eye brows in my little soccer world than when a big time Premiere League team does so. Maybe that is because BPL teams have been making stateside tours for years now and Bayern feels a little fresher. Maybe it is because Bayern is perceived to be (and probably is) stronger than all the English sides. Major League Soccer’s top priorities are building the brand, establishing credibility and increasing viewership. The league has literally selected the best ASG opponent on the planet for achieving those goals.

Now to the game: No analysis needed. It is Bayern Munich. The only question is can Julian Green get a goal? And, are the MLS players able to stay healthy? At least FCD didn’t send anyone! I’ll go 5-1 Bayern, with a Julian Green goal, for the girls (see below).

Excerpt from some SI article:

“While the German players who played in the World Cup won’t play more than 15 minutes, Green should get more playing time on Wednesday, according to Guardiola. “He’s going to play a little bit more — for the fans, for the girls,” Guardiola said, clapping a hand on Green’s neck and smiling. “Yeah? Do you want to play?”