MLS All-Star Game

It's been five years of the current MLS All-Star game format and I have to say it really works. Other than baseball the MLS All-Star game is the only other major sports (yes soccer is major) that fields a competitive matchup year in and year out. This year's game brought the third consecutive EPL team as Everton played a visit to Rio Tinto in Salt Lake City. Turned out to be an entertaining game for the whole family. Even though they lost on penalties MLS again showed that the league fields some great talent at the top. Take away a completely uncharacteristic boo boo by Stewart Holden for Everton's lone regulation goal and MLS totally dominated possession and action. They had myriad scoring opportunities, hit the posts on a couple of occasions (including a gimme by Landon Donovan) and if not for the superhuman exploits of Everton/American goal keeper Tim Howard MLS would have prevailed in regulation, if not the shoot out.

A few observations:

1) You can't help but be impressed with the facility in Salt Lake. A beautiful 20,000 seat soccer only facility that was a great location to showcase the MLS All-Star game. This stadium coupled with several that have already been built and a new facility being built in New York are a major step forward for MLS. As the summer turns to fall the the season heats up there are all too many occasions where a top game is contested with the football gridiron marks, making it impossible to concentrate and watch for the viewer.

2) MLS really boasts some skilled offensive talents with the likes of Blanco, Ljungberg, Donovan, Holden, Casey, Montero etc. Even though it's an All-Star game and you realize these players are only together for one night it gives you the chance to see some of the skilled (albeit aging) talent that MLS possesses. I'm in the middle of the argument on the quality of play in the MLS. I feel too many people dismiss it across the board and don't really appreciate the competitive teams and individual talents on showcase in the league.

3) I also feel the league is right where it needs to be at this point in it's life. With the down economy the league is still average about 16,000 fans per game which puts it right in line with the NBA and the NHL. Toronto and Seattle produce huge crowds every game with every single ticket sold out in Toronto since the club began and many crowds above 30K in Seattle. With Vancouver, Portland, Philadelphia and likely Montreal coming into the league this upward attendance will continue. Although criticized by many the league has really followed a pretty intelligent business model, not reaching out and over spending on talent, but allowing the league and the teams to grow in stature and attendance organically. As time goes by and the new cities enter the attendance and popularity will increase, as will wages. As wages increase the quality of players will as well.

All in all good entertainment for the whole family. Too bad Tim Howard is so damn good in shootouts.