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  • July 04, 2008 06:24 PM ET

The MLS All-Stars will once again win the MLS ALL-Star Game when they take on West Ham United.

Keeper (17-10-1) vs GoldenThread (3-5-1)
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The MLS All-Stars will take on West Ham United on July 24th in Toronto. In this match I expect to see the MLS All-Stars win and I'll tell you why in my next two arguments.


OK Keeper, you're on. I'll take the bait. I say the MLS has a fairly good team roster and won't be a pushover, but West Ham wins the match.

Here is the tentetive MLS Line Up:

NY... Juan Pablo Angel / F
HOU... Brian Ching / F

LA... Landon Donovan / M
HOU... Dwayne De Rosario / M
COL... Pablo Mastroeni / M
NE... Shalrie Joseph / M

CHV... Jonathan Bornstein /
KC... Jimmy Conrad / D
NE... Michael Parkhurst / D
RSL... Eddie Pope / D

NE... Matt Reis / GK

The MLS goes to Toronto with a top tier team that could win the game. Please provide the reasons why you believe the MLS is going to win this match, and I will provide my own reasons as to why they aren't goint to.

It's all you'rs Keeper. Show me what you've got.


Where in the world did you come up with that? Now, in my opinion you are missing a few players that are very high in the fan voting. Those players include Dichio, Beckham, and Blanco among others. Why do you think this would be squad? Are you crazy enough to think that the MLS would NOT include Beckham? The MLS isn't stupid and they know they need to capitalize but anyway, let's look at my argument.


West Ham played pretty good last year in the EPL. They finished in 10th and never really got close to relegation. But one thing that they didn't so is play the big teams very well at all. All the EPL is about is beating the teams you are supposed to and pipping points off of the big clubs.

Last season the MLS played Celtic and the year before Chelsea. So, this means that most of these guys are very capable of not only playing well but winning against top sides in friendlies.

You see the fact that West Ham can't beat a big team or win a big-game is huge. Because of that they are going to have trouble winning against such a quality side.

In my next argument I'll look at and compare the two rosters. I'd also like to know how in the world West Ham will win.


My list as of right now is from. http://soccernet.espn.go.com. I trust we're now on the same page.

If you look at the 9 teams who finished above West Ham last season, who do you have:
1 Man U
2 Chelsea
3 Arsenal
4 Liverpool
5 Everton
6 Aston Villa
7 Blackburn
8 Portsmouth
9 Man City

The top 4 of these teams would be very tough competition in any league. West Ham faired well against Man U and Liverpool. Winning both home games. They recorded 2 loses each to Chelsea and Arsenal.

6 points in 8 games against the top 4 doesn't seem so terrific but the talent level is much Higher in the EPL than in the MLS. No team here stands a chance against Man U. West Ham actually beat them.

West Ham comes to Toronto with goalkeeper Robert Green, who played in all 38 matches last season. He led the team in minutes played . In February he just missed making the First England International team. Green should do well against the MLS.

On Defense we'll see Belfast native George McCartney. He also played in every match for West Ham this past season He's a great defender and if he played in the MLS, he'd be an all star here.

Will continue in next argument......


OK since you want to look at the lineup, I'll look at 4 men.

In goal, they have Green is is decent. He's not great because England has no great goalkeeper. But if you look at the MLS we have Matt Reis. Now in my opinion Reis is one of the best American goalkeepers ever. He is very unlucky to be caught in this era because if he was just starting he would be European bound like Guzan. Reis has been the best keeper for the MLS for sometime now and I really think he is just as good as Robert Green.

Now for the midfield. It is led by former Gunner Freddy Ljunberg. Since I think Beckham will play, I'll compare. In all honesty if you just look at each of the two's previous international experiences. I know that England didn't make Euro 2008, but you really just have to say that Beckham was their most influential player. Without him the team was just awful. When he didn't play his service was missed and England played badly and it cost them. Now Sweden had a completely healthy Lyunbeg as captain and what did he do in the Euro ? Absolutely nothing. He lacked any kind of consistent or inspired play and his team lost so much because of it. So the MLS wins 4 years in a row


You're spot on with your analysis. I have to assume Beckham plays because it would be a huge let down if he didn't.

We're realy looking at a defensive match up here. I'll throw out another name. West Ham Captain Lucas Neill. A First Team Australian National who will be playing as the Right Back. He's had some bad luck at times but there's no disputing his ability and he's a proven leader.

This match will be desided by which team executes best on their attack-counter attack. Ljungberg hasn't impressed as of late but I don't count him out. If he makes a strong showing, he can make the difference.

The MLS has a great track record in the All Star game and yes, they've even beat Chelsea. That's amazing in itself. But this is a different year and West Ham accepted this invitation with winning in mind.

I have no reason to believe that West Ham CAN'T win. I don't see it as an upset. We're still talking about English Top Flight Football here. I'm looking for West Ham to come away from BMO Field with a win.........ending the MLS 3 year streak.

Comments (10) Add A Comment

July 5, 2008  07:29 AM ET
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Good luck GT. I was a bit surprised to see you take it but that is great. At least I know that an idiot won't take it and mess it up.

July 5, 2008  07:50 AM ET
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Thanks Keeper. An idiot won't mess it up. I'm just going to give you an argument. I'll do my best with it. I didn't forget Beckham or Blanco.

July 5, 2008  01:08 PM ET
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i think you have your work cut out on this one. i can think of at least 4 reasons on the left and 1 for you.

July 5, 2008  04:45 PM ET
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Eddie Pope retired last year, so I would be very surprised to see him make the team. My vote already goes left.

July 5, 2008  07:07 PM ET
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I hear you there Mike_E. I don't deserve the vote I agree. But, I also had no business listing the MLS players to begin with. Thanks for the insight.

July 5, 2008  09:28 PM ET
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I ran out of room on the argument but oh well. That is all my fault.

July 5, 2008  09:32 PM ET
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Great argument Keeper.

July 5, 2008  11:36 PM ET
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****!? The All-Stars better win against West Ham United. I mean you are talking about the best talent in the MLS versus an EPL Club that finished as 10th. If the All-Stars dont win, this will be a extremely embarrassing.

July 6, 2008  12:04 AM ET
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MH7KiNG, everyone of us has had the pleasure to watch Matt Reis play. He's as solid as a brick wall. One of the best Goalkeepers in his own right. Nothing is going to come easy for either team. I'm routing for the MLS like there's no next year, but I take nothing for granted.

 
July 7, 2008  02:27 AM ET
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True, but well see how it plays out. I just thought that they would go up against another quality team like Celtic again or a better club.

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