MLS All-Star Game Matchday

Good evening folks. I'm coming to you from BMO Field and we're less than two hours from kick-off of the 2008 MLS All-Star game between MLS and West Ham United.

The fans haven't been let in yet but I can see them stacked outside the gates. A sell-out crowd is expected tonight and it will be interesting to see how Toronto fans embrace an MLS All-Star team that may have no Canadians in the starting lineup.

There is some All-Star news to report. FC Dallas midfielder Juan Toja's long-rumored move to Steaua Bucharest is set to be completed, which will make tonight's game his last in the league.

I will be doing a running commentary on the match so please check here throughout the night for updates on match. Also, if you will be watching the match please feel free to share your pre-game and in-game thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Enjoy the match.

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81st minute- Okay folks. I have some stories to write so I'm done for now. I'll check back in after the final whistle. Feel free to pick up the slack in the commentary department.

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78th minute- I am now being told that Multiple teams are bidding for Kenny Cooper, which could make things very interesting in Dallas this summer.

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75th minute- Someone needs to tell the linesman on the left side of the field to stop calling the game so tight.

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73rd minute- DeRosario looks mighty fresh for someone who just played 90 minutes in D.C. last night.

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72nd minute- Joseph narrowly misses a header.

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71st minute- ANGEL has a goal called off for offside. What a finish and what a pass. Shame it didn't count.

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70th minute- GOAL MLS. Dwayne DeRosario converts the PK, powering it off the underside of the crossbar. The hometown boy gets it done.

And Pat Onstad has come into the match. That's three Canadians.

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69th minute- DeRosario is taken down in the box.

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67th minute- Goal WEST HAM. And we're tied 2-2. Ashton's shot was redirected by Conrad into the MLS net.

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63rd minute- I am also now hearing that reports of Kenny Cooper's move to Rosenborg being complete are also premature.

Beckham comes VERY close on a free kick, but misses just wide.

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61st minute- The crowd is awake now. Should be a good final 29 minutes.

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60th minute- The crowd is going nuts with some very loud TFC chants.

And Beckham has a wide open shot but sends it high, leaving the crowd gasping. A goal there would have set things off here.

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59th minute- And here come the Canadians. Jim Brennan and Dwayne DeRosario are coming in for Christian Gomez and Juan Toja.

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58th minute- Did I mention how bad Frankie Hejduk has been tonight?

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57th minute- Jonathan Bornstein has had a good day today. I ripped his selection to the team but I think he's played well. Gonzalo Segares still deserved it more.

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56th minute- Bornstein with a great ball in but nobody gets to the cross.

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55th minute- Frankie Hejduk has been pretty awful tonight.

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52nd minute- Bornstein with a foul near the edge of the area. Dangerous free kick chance for West Ham.

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51st minute- Brennan and the rest of the MLS reserves have begun to warm up, setting off some applause.

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50th minute- And the "We Want Brennan" chants are back, and even louder.

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48th minute- MLS corner and Beckham goes to the best corner in BMO Field for streamers. Not that many streamers though.

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HALFTIME- In other news, the Juan Toja stories that circulated today about him being sold already are apparently false. An FC Dallas source just told me that quotes attributed to Toja regarding a move to Steaua Bucharest were fabricated. The team is in negotiations, but no deal is imminent.

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HALFTIME- Landon Donovan and Juan Pablo Angel have come into the match, replacing Blanco and Cooper.

Luis Boa Morte has also come into the match.

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HALFTIME- MLS 2, West Ham 1. A very good show overall after a rather flat first 20 minutes.

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44th minute- GOAL MLS. And it's Blanco with a SICK curler into the far corner. He cuts from his left to his right, then places a perfect shot past Green. MLS 2, West Ham 1

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41st minute- It needs to be said. It's a shame that Shalrie Joseph isn't playing in a top European league. He's absolute quality in the middle of the field.

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40th minute- Beckham takes it and it hits a West Ham defender.

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39th minute- Blanco gets taken down and now we'll see who gets to take the free kick. I say Blanco.

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38th minute- Some good passing from MLS. Would have been fun to see a rested Dwayne DeRosario on the left side instead of Juan "I can't get hurt before I leave for Romania" Toja.

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34th minute- Blanco with a beautiful cross into the area but Cooper can't get himself positioned for a good header.

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31st minute- Beckham with the rare left-footed shot to earn a corner. And here come more streamers. Okay, not that many streamers.  Beckham picks out Gomez at the top of the box for an open shot but Gomez shanks it.

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30th minute- The crowd is a little more into the match now. Not sure if they're ready to root for MLS though.

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28th minute- Blanco gets the pass from Beckham and delivers a perfect back-heel to Gomez on the run. Great sequence.

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27th minute- GOAL MLS. And it's Christian Gomez with the instance response to equalize. Great finish.

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26th minute- GOAL WEST HAM. And it's Dean Asthon with a great finish off a great pass from Faubert.

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24th minute- West Ham with some better stuff offensively, but still can't test Matt Reis.

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20th minute- The first MLS corner doesn't amount to much but Beckham got the streamers treatment from the fans. Telling you, this is one weird All-Star Game.

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19th minute- Cooper with a great run and give and go with Gomez, but he can't get his shot on goal. Still some nice work by Cooper.

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17th minute- The "We Want Brennan" chants are back and they are LOUD.

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14th minute- The MLS lineup is very awkward. Christian Gomez looks a bit lost because Blanco is in his position so he's dropped back and isn't in position to do what he does well.

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13th minute- Landon Donovan was shown on the big screen and still got loud boos.

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10th minute- Carlton Cole with a nice turn and shot to force a corner. Only a few streamers for that one. They haven't replenished the stock apparently.

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7th minute- The whole Kenny Cooper as lone forward thing doesn't look likely to work today.

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6th minute- Not much to report so far. MLS with a bit more possession early on, but the game has no rhythm yet.

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2nd minute- We're under way here and the fans have already begun their "We Want Brennan" chant.

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PRE-GAME- This is really a Bizarro World All-Star Game. Every MLS player is getting loud boos when their name is announced. Well, except for Beckham, which drew a good mix of boos and cheers (and a bunch of 'Who Are Ya" chants.

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PRE-GAME- Canadian anthem just finished and, as you might expect, the crowd went wild.

The stadium is filling up pretty well as we get close to kickoff.

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PRE-GAME- We just got through the anthems and, yes, the American anthem got booed. Landon Donovan also drew some loud boos.

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PRE-GAME- The players just left the field  after warm-ups. Not sure how this game is kicking off any time soon. So much for a 7pm start.

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PRE-GAME- No West Ham fan violence to report. Apparently there are no tea and krumpets here at BMO Field.

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PRE-GAME- So there are no Canadians in the lineup today. So much for hoping to get some crowd support behind the MLS team.

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PRE-GAME- A correction on the West Ham lineup. Wonderkid Freddie Sears is NOT here. Joe Widdowson is the player in the lineup. Here is his lineup:

--------------Dean-Ashton----------Carlton Cole---------

------------------------Julian Faubert----------------------

Etherington-----------------------------------------Mullins

-----------------------------Parker------------------------

Widdowson----Davenport------Ferdinand----------Neill

---------------------------Robert Green-------------------

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PRE-GAME Landon Donovan not starting is VERY interesting. He did have some ice on his knee after training yesterday so maybe he's hurt. If this was a straight coach's decision I would really have to question starting Christian Gomez ahead of Donovan.

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PRE-GAME- Estelle is still singing. Maybe someone should tell her to stop so the fans can get to their seats. We're a half hour from kickoff and BMO Field is about 10 percent full.

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PRE-GAME- Here is the West Ham Lineup:

--------Dean-Ashton----------Carlton Cole--------

--------------------Julian Faubert-------------------

Etherington------------------------------------Sears

-----------------Parker-----Mullins-----------------

Davenport----------Ferdinand-----------------Neill

---------------------Robert Green-------------------

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PRE-GAME- Here is the MLS lineup:

-------------------------Cooper------------------------

-------------------------Blanco-------------------------

Toja-------------------Gomez----------------Beckham

------------------------Joseph---------------------------

Bornstein------Conrad---Mastroeni-----------Hejduk

-------------------------Reis-----------------------------

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PRE-GAME- Estelle, who is doing the half-time show, is performing outside. I'm not really feeling the song.

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PRE-GAME- The fans are making their way in and weather is clearing up. There's still hope that this game won't be a sloppy mess.

Comments

[nate]

Good morning to you too.

[AlexS]

Toja to Bucherest? Kamara to Houston?

Busy day. Wonder when Buddle is going to Scandinavia.

[KingSnake]

Toja is a fool if he plays.

[Amit]

FC Dallas is probably going to have to give Avila significant minutes with Toja gone and McCarty at the Olympics.

[ajr]

are TFC fan all in black?

[Alex]

No Lando in the starting XI?

[Scott A]

Couple interesting things about the lineup. No Lando. No TFC players in there. Mastroeni in central defense. Toja and Gomez there

[Nicole]

Well, that's lame and a slap in the face to LD - not in the starting lineup!! Leading all-around vote getter, leading goal scorer with 12 goals and 7 assists in 14 games....and he doesn't merit a start.

Got 2 players starting (Toja, Gomez) who weren't even voted in?!

Lame, IMO.

[evan]

Dont forget Bornstein was voted in. Im hopeing for a good game, but come on, no LD.

That is lame.

[Justin]

Way to go Nicol. Lets not start arguably the best player in MLS right now in LD. The All-Star game is officially retarded in my mind now.

[Garrett]

thats a B+ West Ham lineup... missing a couple of decent players, but Ashton is at least there.

[randall]

i dont care about the lack of toronto players starting- just as im glad mls doesnt follow mlb protocol and require a representative from each team- but donovan not starting is ridiculous.

an injury is the ONLY excuse- hes clearly the best player in the league this year, leading vote getter...theres absolutely no excuse other than injury.

[anthony bouts]

this lineup doesnt make sense all around

[Justin]

Shoulda been like this

-----------Cooper----------Donovan---------

------------------Blanco-------------------

Ralston-----------------------------Beckham

-------------------Joseph------------------

Bornstein-----Conrad-----Brennan-----Hejduk

--------------------Reis-------------------

[Blake]

Altidoré?

Makin' Jozy sound all italian.

[WeatherManNX01]

"Al-ti-door-ee"? Can someone please beat Julie Foudy over the head with an MLS pronunciation guide? Good God. She did the same thing last year with the Fire matches, dropping the final syllable off Paulo Wanchope's name.

[mikeK]

Seems we're caught up in the ESPN preview. The West Ham lineup isn't Mickey mouse, that's for sure.

I hope the jersey that blanco was warming up in, the all black, is our jersey for this match. I like the look of all black.

[Scott A]

I'd be hard pressed to think of someone who irritates me more and contributes less to my happiness than Julie Foudy

[Dannyc58]

Ives,

Faubert is on the right, Mullins/Parker play centrally. If anything Parker goes forward more...doesn't really matter, just FYI.

Mullins is a very underrateding holding mid...

[Dannyc58]

And that Hammers lineup is missing some studs, that couldn't make it.

Matthew Upton -- Never came
Bellamy -- Wonder why?
Keiron Dyer -- Never came

Freddie Sears didn't make it cause he was with the U-19's.

[Dannyc58]

p.s. I hate Ashton and Cole together, kind of annoying. Like Cole alone up top, so just want to say if they don't linke up well ALL West Ham fans know this already. Thanks in advance ;)

[Scott A]

F you BMO booing the anthem

[Ryan]

Why is it that we see quality long distance strikes in MLS yet the USMNT hasn't had anyone that's been a consistent threat from long range in years?

[rmiller]

Is that San Jose out there?

[SonicDeathMonkey]

Unless LD is hurt, like Ives suggested, and then it makes perfect sense why hes not in the starting lineup. Remember people, reading IS fundamental.

[Erik Abarca]

Great point Ryan, that pisses me off!

[freddie footballer]

they just announced the edson buddle is going to norway for seven figures and there are offers for Kenny Cooper's services in Europe? I didn't catch all of it so someone please fill in, thanks!

[AlexS]

And now Cooper might be sold?

Wow, FC Dallas is playing badly as it is... you take away Toja and Cooper and who's left?

Rocha? Davino? Are they going to play straight-up injure the other team now?

[Haig]

That's exactly what they said, Freddie. And there was total speculation that the all-star game might be their last MLS game, which seemed to have been based on nothing, really.

[Ryan]

I love the score box they're using. Hopefully MLS makes this permanent instead of the one they usually use that takes up too much space.

[Ryan]

Correction to myself. Hopefully ESPN makes it their permanent box score**

[Scott A]

I like what TFC has done but I wish the fans would embrace MLS and not consider themselves some kinda island. Most other MLS fans seem to also be out for the general well-being of the league. Not saying all TFC fans act that way...but it seems like some do

[mikeK]

I'm atleast glad the MLS is milking the jersey front for all it's worth.

And they really have to do away with the player intros. They're just stupid.

[papa bear]

I guess the fans booing the National Anthem kinda clears up the debate as to whether they were booing when their supporters traveled to Chicago a few weeks ago. Way to keep it classy, TFC.

[ManicMessiah]

8th minute- Beckham with his first corner, which was anticlimactic.

[ManicMessiah]

10th minute- the streamers make their appearance as West Ham get their first couple of corners.

[Ryan]

Any word on how many subs each team gets? Six like most friendlies?

[ManicMessiah]

No, JP... they don't want Landon.

[Ryan]

Cooper's got to go down there. If he hits the turf he earns a penalty.

[ManicMessiah]

Great chip by Gomez at the top of the penalty area into Kenny Cooper, who tried to trap the ball and turn it before shooting wide. I thought he got dragged down by his defender but not call

[WeatherManNX01]

A few random notes that really have nothing to do with anything.

The black-blue uniform combo is ugly. WTF were they thinking when they made that? All black or all blue would have been fine. And the black socks, too? Jeeze, pick a color and stick with it. Paul Lukas is probably rolling his eyes at Adidas and MLS right now.

Secondly, as mentioned above, I too really like the new soccer scoreboard graphic on ESPN. More soccer-traditional and pretty cool looking, too. I hope it becomes standard for future broadcasts. Though I have to say, even the full screen one used previously is a lot better than the one on FSC.

[WeatherManNX01]

They say they want Landon, but the real question is: do they want to see him play, or do they just want to boo him, too?

[ManicMessiah]

Goal!! 1-0 West Ham!

It's the first time the MLS team has trailed since they started playing foreign teams in the All Star Game.

[Betinho]

This line-up is really disappointing. No Canandians in the starting line-up has made the place like a morgue. I'm really bummed by this line-up.

[Ryan]

Hmm looks like a defense that hasn't played together much.

[Pat the Red Bulls Fan]

Ping and then Pong!

[ManicMessiah]

Goal MLS!!!

They respond a moment later, Beckham to Blanco to Gomez, who finished it!

1-1.

[WeatherManNX01]

They're going to cover the New York-Barcelona match? Seriously? Blech. Give me my league matches back, please.

[Jack Warner]

Booing the Anthem....as someelse said, You stay classy Canada!! To answer Ives earlier question aboot(thats how you say it right?) another team for America Junior...I'll pass, put a team Tupelo, Missippi or Detroit before Canada. If Canada wants to be on an island how aboot the CSA start their own league, eh!

[Dave @ Soccer FanHouse]

Jack Warner: Because the CSA can't tell its arse from a hole in the ground. Besides, a real Canadian Soccer League would have, what, 6 clubs? And where would they put the other three?

[kpugs]

Booing the anthem aside, a message for Toronto FC fans.

I wish I could brainwash you into being RBNY supporters and move you to Jersey. Atmosphere at this stadium is always amazing.

[mikeK]

In other news, Faubert runs with a gay poster. Just sayin'.

[Jack Warner]

Dave: That's my point. If they want pro soccer, Canadians shouldn't alienate themselves from the rest of the league. If TFC fans want to act tough and be anti-MLS and anti-American fine...move the team to Tupelo, they can still be TFC. I hear Red Deer and Yellow Knife are nice this time of year!

[Pat the Red Bulls Fan]

Nice shooting Tex.

[Ryan]

Is it more of a shame that Joseph isn't in a top European league or that US Soccer let him get away?

[mikeK]

Very purdy strike.

[Sack Lodge]

Ives is right about Joseph. Just imagine how much better US midfield would be if Joseph had not played that match for Grenada when he was younger. Wow would he have been sick for US

[Mel]

"They say they want Landon, but the real question is: do they want to see him play, or do they just want to boo him, too?"

HELL NO...They are saying they want Brennan
Stupid ESPN commentators

[Joe Quake]

That announcer with the corn is a moron. ESPN's coverage is an embarassment.

[Connor]

Hejduk is really not that good. He might be fit but he probably has the worst skills on the field. Why is he starting for the All-Star team?

[Shakes]

@ Jack Warner

Jack, the American national anthem frequently gets booed at hockey games in Canada too.

It's a Canada vs. United States thing, not an anti-MLS thing.

And if you want to know why it happens, you need look no further than phrases like "America Junior".

Also, see if you can YouTube up some footage of the Flyers/Habs in this years NHL playoffs. Americans booing the Canadian anthem, loudly, all over the place. It happeans. Getting all ignorantly anti-Canada about it won't change that fact.

Chalk it up to being the lone Canadian market in an overwhelmingly American league (at the moment), and walk it off.

- Scott

[Danny]

The McBride deal is done and we'll get an announcement tomorrow! YES!!!

McBride is the greatest American player ever and I love that he's coming home.

[RMH]

Just because others boo the anthem doesn't make it right. Plus, you can't compare the rest of America with Philly (no offense Philly, but you boo anything.)

And though this is unrelated, I actually liked hearing the West Ham players announce themselves. I don't know why.

[Shakes]

@ RMH

I completely agree. It doesn't make it right, and as a Canadian, if I were at that match, I wouldn't have booed any anthem.

All I was saying, is that it's a competitive thing, and it has occurred both ways over the years, in different sports. And making ignorant and arrogant statements about Canada doesn't change that.

- Scott

[Scott A]

McBride's coming?

[northzax]

so, Cooper's gone, right? what else could that diplomatic answer have been?

[john]

The commentator with the corn (rob stone) loves the game and is happy to be a goof ball on tv. There is nothing wrong with either of those characteristics.

[John]

Frankie scourge of West Ham ankles

[JB]

West Ham's new away kits, wow are they bad.

[John]

Beckham, his left foot is purely ornamental.

[John]

Hah Allen Hopkins is a midgit

[Mel]

the boys are in...the fans get what they want

[Barcis]

that was priceless. After the Reis save, the slo-mo of the ref smiling and shrugging and west ham #9 in pure disbelief.

[Cindy]

man i love Steve Nash

[Scott A]

I've never noticed the midget resemblance. I always see some kinda of mental handicap, can't pinpoint which one

[WeatherManNX01]

Steve Nash at the All-Star Game?

I know he likes soccer, but does anyone else have the feeling that he may have also been there to discuss a possible Vancouver expansion team (since his name has been mentioned as possible owner)?

[JB]

Steve Nash could probably play in MLS too.

[WeatherManNX01]

Anyone else wondering if ESPN is going to slap Rob Stone on the wrist for saying "Bitchy" on-air, even if it is the bird's name? That one seems dicey to me.

[beckster]

Is Donovan really on the field? Talk about completely invisible!!!

[JB]

Well, Stone already came close to profanity when the burger burned his hand, so the bird is just the next step.

[John]

Re Donovan. I have seen him give up a shot opportunity ala USA Ghana and catch up to a ball he had no business catching...and a couple passes.

Best player out there has been Joseph.

[Phil]

Except - IIRC - it is pronounced Wanchope (wan-CHOPE) not wan-CHOPE-ay...

Gotta remember that Costa Rica has a pretty heavy English influence... plus he grew up in SoCal...

[john]

Field Turf is crap. No professional game should ever be played on this junk.

[Isaac]

the sad part about cooper's transfer from MLS isn't even Dallas losing him. Its that Bob Bradley still wont call him up to the USMNT even when he scored on his debut for the MNT...ah well some things you just gotta sit back and watch. like this game, which has turned into quite the watch.

[Cindy]

oh wow! that is a gorgeous view of the skyline from the press box!

[DJ Irie]

Anyone know why Shalrie Joseph's hand is wrapped? I dont think its the same hand he cut up last season...but I didnt hear anything about an injury...did I miss it or has it not been mentioned?
Thanks.

[Forrest]

It looks like Landon has battled Frankie and taken the worst MLS player on the field award. He looks like he doesn't even want to be out there.

[Danny]

Commish Garber said at half-time that the McBride deal is done and they'll have a formal announcement tomorrow. He said it was taken care of and McBride will be playing in MLS. Good news.

[beckster]

he has 2 minutes to give the prie back to Frankie but I don't think it is going to happen!

[Ryan]

So after all this time we finally get McBride with Chicago and ready to play then he leaves for China? Awesome.

[JB]

The USMNT depth chart could still fluctuate dramatically between now and 2010. Cooper is in the mix. He was injured most of last season. He's played four solid months and suddenly people believe he should be an automatic first team selection. He'll get his chances, and is certainly in the mix for a 2010 roster spot.

[JB]

Garber didn't say McBride was going to Chicago though. Maybe, he's agreed to play for Toronto. TFC certainly needs striker help.

[Isaac]

i suppose... but anyways yeah donovan dissapoints me tonight. after that great goal against NY i thought he'd be pumped.

[Shakes]

As a Toronto FC fan, I'd like to say I'm happy the McBride deal is done.

Even on the TFC supporters' websites, folks were pretty much tired of the saga, and just wanted a deal to be done.

Curious to see what the final deal was though, and what the MLS involvement was, if any.

- Scott

[Danny]

No way McBride lands at TFC. Garber said, "I hope so" when asked if McBride will be in Chicago. He's not going to TFC. He said the deal was done and it was "fair" which presumes a deal between TFC and Chicago for McBride. They wouldn't need a "fair" deal if he was going to TFC.

[Forrest]

What a joke! Anybody who watched the game could see that Joseph was the best player on the field. Is the MVP decide by the media or the league?

[WeatherManNX01]

Blanco won because he scored a goal. No one ever gives props to the guys that do all the real dirty work, like Joseph.

[WeatherManNX01]

Once again, blech at the idea of Red Bulls-Barcelona for the next ESPN2 match. Give me a game that matters. Give me a match where the Red Bulls aren't going to get ground into the turf.

[John]

Frankie Hedjuk Sucks.

[irishapple21]

Atmosphere at BMO = Very nice.
Booing the American national anthem = Not so much.
Throwing streamers during corner kicks = Very nice.
Hitting MLS Commissioner Don Garber in the head with a streamer during his half-time state-of-the-league interview = Not so much.