Commerce City, Colo. • Colorado Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni scoffed the other day when he was asked how he would coach the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday night against Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League.
"What am I going to tell these guys?" Mastroeni said of a side that boasted many of the best American players and several international superstars. "These guys are made men."
Mastroeni, himself a nine-time All-Star and U.S. national team player before beginning his coaching career last season, said he would "allow these guys to do what they do and not get in their way, just allow them to express themselves."
Good strategy. The MLS All-Stars parlayed an opportunistic first half into a 2-1 victory before a standing-room-only crowd of 18,671 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Fielding a starting lineup that was essentially a U.S. national team side augmented by international stars Kaká and David Villa — both of whom have played on World Cup-winning teams — MLS struck early after Tottenham defender Kyle Walker was called for a handball in the penalty area. Kaká, who joined expansion team Orlando City this year, put away the penalty kick in the 20th minute for a 1-0 lead.
RSL's Tony Beltran and Nick Rimando both started for the MLS All-Stars. Rimando shined in the first half, making three saves on Harry Kane that had social media buzzing.
Villa, who joined MLS this year with New York City FC, redirected a pass from Kaká three minutes later for what would prove to be the winning goal from just outside the 6-yard box.
"Congratulations to these guys we played tonight an amazing game," said Kaká, who was the game's MVP. "[On Thursday,] everybody will see in the soccer news that MLS team beat a very important European team, Tottenham. … Much more than I have expected. I am so happy for this night. Not bad for my first All-Star. I hope in the next years I can enjoy all All-Star games."
Tottenham delighted its supporters in attendance in the 36th minute when Kane gathered the ball at midfield, backed down defender Omar Gonzalez of the Los Angeles Galaxy and fired a rocket from just outside the penalty area to halve the MLS advantage.
Mastroeni replaced his lineup in full for the second half. The momentum swung to Spurs, who finished fifth in the English Premier League last season and open a new season a week from Saturday against Manchester United. Tottenham had two-thirds of the ball possession in the second half, but it did not equalize.
"Tottenham, as a whole, proved their quality tonight," said Drew Moor, who played in his first All-Star game. "Any time you can beat Tottenham, whether its a friendly or Premier League game, its a great night."
Moor had a challenge marking Kane, who scored 31 goals last season, but survived unscathed.
"Harry is a special player, and to go against him and [perform] what I thought was very well, that definitely was a big moment for me," Moor said. "Any time Harry Kane is around the goal or in the penalty area, you've got to get close to him, and I thought we did a really good job with that — especially in the second half."
U.S. national team forward Jozy Altidore, who has played in Europe but toils now for Toronto FC, was proud of the MLS showing.
"Sometimes a lot of people think its an easy league," Altidore said. "But you saw, they played against a top-half [of EPL] team, and the first half I thought the MLS was the better team, so that's a good sign that league will continue to grow."
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb, right, pursues MLS All-Star forward Clint Dempsey, center, of the Seattle Sounders, as Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen comes in to cover during the first half of the MLS All-Star soccer game, Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. The game is the 20th annual mid-season classic for the league. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier, left, uses his arm to slow down MLS All-Star midfielder Kaka, of Orlando FC, during the first half of the MLS All-Star soccer game, Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. The game is the 20th annual mid-season classic for the league. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele, right, battles for control of the ball with MLS All-Star defender DaMarcus Beasley during the first half of the MLS All-Star soccer game ,Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. The game is the 20th annual mid-season classic for the league. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
MLS All-Star forward David Villa, center, celebrates scoring a goal with teammates Graham Zusi, left, and Omar Gonzalez, right, against Tottenham Hotspur during the first half of the MLS All-Star soccer game, Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. The game is the 20th annual mid-season classic for the league. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen, left, collides with MLS All-Star forward Clint Dempsey as they battle for the ball during the first half of the MLS All-Star soccer game Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino, right, confers with defender Kyle Walker while facing the MLS All-Star squad during the first half of the MLS All-Star soccer game Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
MLS All-Star midfielder Kaka, right, works the ball past Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane during the first half of the MLS All-Star soccer game Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nacer Chadli, left, takes a shot against MLS All-Star goalie David Ousted during the second half of the MLS All-Star soccer game, Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. The MLS All-Stars won 2-1 in the 20th annual mid-season classic for the league. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane, left, tries to head the ball past MLS All-Star defender Chad Marshall during the second half of the MLS All-Star soccer game Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane, left, is blocked by MLS All-Star defender Drew Moor while trying to take a shot during the second half of the MLS All-Star soccer game Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. The MLS All-Stars won 2-1. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane, center, tries to weave the ball through MLS All-Star defenders Chad Marshall (14) and Drew Moor, right, during the second half of the MLS All-Star soccer game, Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. The MLS All-Stars won 2-1 in the 20th annual mid-season classic for the league. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane, left, shoots as MLS All-Star defender Chad Marshall covers during the second half of the MLS All-Star soccer game Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. The MLS All-Stars won 2-1. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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