Our soccer writer previews the MLS All-Star game which takes place on Thursday the 3rd of August 2017.
The 22nd annual Major League All-Star game takes centre stage on Thursday and this time they face off with Real Madrid in an entrancing showpiece occasion. Bastian Schweinsteiger will captain the select stars from the American league after being voted for by the fans. Will the European champions outclass their opponents or can the American collective up set the applecart? Let’s take a look.
MLS All Stars 15/4 | Draw 29/10 | Real Madrid 6/10
MLS All-Stars
Ever since the competition permanently adopted the format of inviting a foreign team in 2005, the MLS All-Stars have won it seven times and lost on five occasions, their last victory coming in 2015 against Tottenham Hotspur. Their team this year features well-known players like Kaka, Bastian Schweinsteiger, David Villa, Tim Howard, Giovani dos Santos and the league’s leading goalscorer Kei Kamara. Kaka is high in confidence after scoring a wonder goal in his Orlando City’s 1-1 draw with Atlanta United.
When a select group of players form one team they can either complement each other or a clash of egos can ensue. This is the first time they’re inviting a Spanish team but some of the MLS stars have some Spanish connections. Kaka has played for Real Madrid and David Villa is a former Barcelona player. Schweinsteiger has played Madrid on a number of occasions in European competitions during his time at Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid
Los Blancos have had a shocking pre-season, featuring in the International Champions Cup in which they lost all their three games against Manchester United, Manchester City and Barcelona. The absence of Cristiano Ronaldo has been deeply felt and he is not likely to feature in this game due to the tax fraud case he is currently attending. Sergio Ramos is back and he will add to the much-needed value.
One has to note, though, that the team’s poor performances have also been down to Zinedine Zidane using two lineups in one game to give almost everyone some minutes on the pitch for fitness purposes. This is a very important and competitive fixture in the American soccer calendar and Madrid will field their strongest possible team.
I’m backing a comfortable victory for Real Madrid. This is their last chance to test their squad ahead of the UEFA Super Cup clash with Manchester United.
Written by Benedict Ngwenya for @Hollywoodbets.net
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