MLS All-Stars vs. as Roma: Loss to Italian Squad Another Setback for MLS

In what was less than a competitive match, AS Roma has defeated the MLS All-Stars by a score of 3-1. This was a continuation of a growing tradition in which Major League Soccer throws their All-Stars into the fire against a top European squad. Unfortunately, it was also another setback for the MLS. Major League Soccer put forth a cast of stars, albeit one without significant names either on or returning from international leave. With the opportunity to shine against a Serie A squad, players such as Thierry Henry and Marco Di Vaio were expected to make their mark. It simply wasn't to be, as Alessandro Florenzi led AS Roma to the win. Florenzi finished with one goal and an assist. It wasn't pretty for the MLS, as Kevin Strootman scored in the fourth minute to give Roma an early 1-0 lead. Even as they kept the opposition quiet for the remainder of the first half, Roma struck with two quick goals in the second. The MLS All-Stars, meanwhile, didn't score until Omar Gonzalez scored off of an assist from Camilo Sanvezzo during injury time. This marks yet another disappointing scoring output from the MLS against a European foe. While this truly is nothing more than a ...

MLS All-Stars vs. AS Roma: Score, Highlights and Post-Match Reaction

In easily the most unique all-star game in all of sports, A.S. Roma defeated the MLS All Stars, 3-1, at Sporting Park in Kansas City on Wednesday night. The Serie A side took advantage of some shoddy MLS defending, getting goals from Kevin Strootman and Alesandro Florenzi in the opening moments of each half, and the two-goal deficit would prove to be too much for an all-star side that clearly lacked chemistry. Florenzi was awarded with the MVP award, while Francesco Totti was on a completely different level despite not finding the back of the net: Things started off just about as bad as can possibly be imagined for the home side.  With the MLS playing an impossibly high back line, veteran playmaker Totti—a man who has been linked to the MLS this summer—did Francesco Totti things, delivering a beautiful ball into Strootman behind the defense.  As the Dutch international moved in on goal, Aurelien Collin's attempted recovery tackle deflected off Strootman into the net: A calamitous mistake in the fourth minute in front of his crowd. Eesh. Collin would do well to forget about this night as soon as possible.  In the next five minutes, Roma created two more wonderful chance but failed to capitalize when ...

MLS All-Star Game: AS Roma Handles MLS Side with Class in Kansas City

The MLS All-Star Game is supposed to be used as a measuring stick for America's top domestic league, gauging how its best does against some of the world's best. Last season, the All-Stars unleashed a surprising 3-2 victory over a Chelsea club in obvious preseason form. Wednesday night, Serie A giants Roma took the game seriously and brought their A-game in a 3-1 win against the star-studded MLS squad, who failed to measure up to their opponents in any of the 90 minutes played. The tone was set early in the match by the Italian side, as they exploited the high back line set by the Sporting Kansas City center-back pairing of Aurelien Collin and Matt Besler. As a beautiful run of play was started by Roma 'keeper Morgan De Sanctis, Besler and Collin began to creep up for an offsides trap. However, that plan backfired as one of Roma's new signings, Kevin Strootman, surged through and into the penalty area. Strootman's shot on goal deflected off Collin's leg and into the back of the net just four minutes into the match. Strootman deflated all of the positive energy that was flowing throughout Sporting Park in the host town of Kansas City, Kan., who ...