Soccer Goals: Predicting that Everton FC would win for the first time in six attempts for the Barclay's Premiere League which had witnessed five MLS All Star victims, Everton's Coach, David Moyes, issued a Nostradamus forecast, believing his team could secure the victory and end the five-game-losing streak.
These soccer videos feature highlights and soccer goals of the MLS All-Star vs Everton.
With a hesistant 2009 MLS All Star squad producing little in the first 20 minutes, Stuart Holden offered a careless pass to keeper Casey Keller which was intercepted by Louis Saha, giving the Toffees a 1-0 lead. After Saha exploited Holden's error, the MLS All Star's began to mount various attacking sequences, starting with Blanco's switching cross to Conor Casey. Receiving the ball cleanly and sealing his defender in the box, the Rapid's forward turned and slotted a pass to a sprinting Stuart Holden, who redeemed himself with a far post pass to Brad Davis for the equalizer.
Providing the Toffees a fortress in goal, US and Everton goalkeeper, Tim Howard provided several key saves, ushering a Fredy Montero strike wide right, a strike that appeared destined for goal. In the second half, he applied pressure and created a large barrier to entry, as Landon Donovan experienced an open goal mouth, banging his strike of the left post.
Despite missing their first two penalty conversions in the shoot out, Everton rallied under Howard's acrobatic and inspirational saves. Cool, calm and collective described the remaining Toffee players who converted their penalties, while MLS fans witnessed Davy Arnaud, Brad Davis, and Freddie Ljunberg squander their chances.
After receiving fan ovations and his MVP Award, Keeper Howard received accolades from his coach saying that "Once again, Tim Howard has proved that he's certainly the best goalkeeper in America, and if he keeps going the way he is at the moment, it might not just be in America."
Even with a close loss, several MLS player proved their worth, posing problems for the opposing defense in the MLS All-Star game.
Everton FC vs MLS All-Start Player Ratings:
Casey Keller, 7 - Offered moments of brilliance with his two-penalty saves, despite returning in the second half after Zack Thorton was injured from an innocuous step. In retrospect, he should have saved Phill Neville's penalty strike, as he reached the ball unable to knock it out of goal.
Jeff Cameron, 6 - Played the full 90 minutes steadily on defense, while demonstrating his flank speed and penchant to advance in the attack.
Chad Marshall, 5.5 - Played the first 45 minutes as the central defender and seemed to carry his Gold Cup hangover with him, displaying moments of suspect distribution.
Wilman Conde, 7 - Considered one of the best passing central defenders in MLS, the physical defender did not lose a beat supporting Brad Davis with competence.
Kyle Beckerman, 6.5 - Gold Cup flashbacks radiated as he offered a strong holding midfielder performance that made him a stand out in the Gold Cup. His long range strike proved deadly in the All Star game, but where were these strikes in the Gold Cup Final?
Stuart Holden, 4.5 - His errant pass cost the All-Stars the game. His assist to Davis proved important, and his pinpoint cross, resulting in Conor Casey's header almost resulted in a goal.
Freddie Ljungberg, 5 - Played the full 90, offering several savvy attacking sequences. Drawing fouls and dribble penetration headlined his game, but his penalty attempt was puzzling.
Brad Davis, 6 - Proved that he possesses speed on several occasions, a facet, not normally attributed to the Houston winger. His passing and crossing kept the offensive flow going, but his penalty conversion was half-hearted.
Fredy Montero, 4 - Caressed the ball frequently while making little offensive impact. His deadly, curving shot-on-goal personified his offensive arsenal, requiring a diving Howard save.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 5 - Lacked the 2008 MLS All-Star flair, appearing slow and off with his touches in 60 minutes of play.
Conor Casey, 8 - Threatened Everton with his hold-up play, incisive passing, and aerially header from Stuart Holden. If the All-Stars would have won, he would have earned Man-of-the-Match honors.
Substitutes
Will Johnson, 5.5 - Patrolled the midfield while offering simple balls to start the attack.
Landon Donovan, 7 - His speed and creativity posed problems for Everton's defense as they offered few answers for his break-away runs. His strike off the post would have sealed the victory, but Howard's effort caused Donovan's strike to go just wide enough.
Bakary Soumare, 6 - Provided good defensive coverage stifling the Everton attack.
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, 5.5 - Caught out of position in two instances, the Seattle defender shielded the fatigued Everton attack.
Javier Morales, 4 - seemed unspired for initial part of the game and then picked up a slight injury, causing him to disappear during the remainder.
Davy Arnaud, 4.5 - Missing the penalty convesion allowed for the Everton victory, though he did offer several dribble-penetrating runs.
What did you think of the All-Star Game? Who was your MOTM? Share your thoughts.
Included are blogs that discuss Soccer Goals: Tim Howard denies 2009 MLS All Star in Penalty Shootout 6-5
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