Editorial: Looking Back On the 1996 MLS All-Star Game (VIDEO)
This is the MLS Multiplex, here on the FanSided Network, and we continue our preparations for the 2015 Major League Soccer season with a look back at the past 19 All Star Games that took place. The 1996 MLS All-Star Game took place on July 14, 1996 at the old Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Kevin Stott, who continues to officiate in this league to this very day, was the man in the middie.
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The All-Star Game has been a unique friendly to Major League Soccer. If you were to have an equivalent, it would be an international club friendly in the middle of preseason or midseason. Back in the day, before MLS fielded its own All-Star side against an international powerhouse, the matches pitted the best in the East against the best in the West. 78,416 were in attendance to witness the first-ever MLS All-Star Game. The reason it was packed: a doubleheader featuring Roberto Carlos and the Brazilian National Team would play in the second game and win, 2-1, against the FIFA World Stars.
Many of the greats played in this first ever All-Star Game, including Tony Meola, Jeff Agoos, Tab Ramos, Carlos Valderrama, Roy Lassiter, Cobi Jones, Mauricio Cienfuegos and Brian McBride. A number of players from this game are now in broadcasting or in the front office, such as Alexi Lalas, Jones, Cienfuegos, Marcelo Balboa, Jason Krieis, Wynalda, John Doyle, Robin Fraser, Dan Calichman and Preki.
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The East opened up the scoring in the 14th minute with a goal from Ramos, but the West would storm right back with goals from Preki (33′) and Kreis (37′). After halftime, the MLS All-Stars East would ride on the shoulders of El Pibe, the match MVP to mount a momentous rally. Goals from Savarese (69′) and Steve Pittman (88′) were enough to see the East come away winners, 3-2.
Click the video above to watch the match in its entirety. Then check back here on the MLS Multiplex for more reflections on the MLS All-Star Games that have taken place over the past two decades!