This is the MLS Multiplex on the FanSided Network, and as we get ready for a new year of Major League Soccer, we continue our look back at the past 19 MLS All-Star Games that have taken place. Today, we look back at the 1997 MLS All-Star Game, which, like the 1996 All-Star Game, took place at the old Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Arturo Angeles was the man in charge of this match, which drew a crowd of 24,816.
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Most of the stars from the 1996 MLS All-Star Game were in uniform for the 1997 edition. The Eastern Conference featured defenders Eddie Pope, Alexi Lalas and Jeff Agoos; midfielders Robert Warzycha, John Harkes, Roberto Donadoni, Carlos Valderrama (who would go on to win match MVP) and Marco Etcheverry, and forwards Raul Diaz Arce and Jaime Moreno. The West, meanwhile, had their own batch of stars in goalkeeper Jorge Campos, defender Marcelo Balboa, midfielders Mauricio Cienfuegos, Preki, Cobi Jogns, and forwards Mo Johnson, Digital Takawira and Ronald Cerritos. Eric Wynalda was also selected as an MLS All-Star but would not play due to injury.
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The East, in particular, had a very talented bench, with goalkeeper Tony Meola, defenders Frank Yallop and Ted Chronopoulos, midfielders Richie Williams and Steve Ralston, and forward Brian McBride. Also worth noting was that this match would be a thriller for the ages. There were nine goals scored in this electrifying contest, which used the old rules that are currently in place in college soccer in the United States.
The West’s Dante Washington opened up the scoring in the 11th minute and Campos scored in the 44th minute of play to make it 2-0 to the West. The second half would be a goal festival. Valderrama speared the comeback with a strike in the 50th minute and substitute Giuseppe Galderisi made it 2-2 63 minutes in. Warzycha would get on the board to made it 3-2 the the East.
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In the 70th minute, the substitute WIlliams made it 4-2 to the East and it seemed that the West would be outclasses. 10 minutes later, Zimbabwean international Digital Takawira made it 4-3 and Jones’s 86th minute strike leveled the scored at 4-4. It would take heroics from McBride in the 88th minute to give the MLS All-Stars East a 5-4 victory in an All-Star Game for the ages.
Come back to the MLS Multiplex for more installments on reflections of the MLS All-Star Game as we count down to the 2015 Major League Soccer season. You don’t want to miss it.