Before I begin with this editorial, the MLS Multiplex, part of the FanSided Network, advises you to celebrate responsibly while ringing in the New Year. Know when to say when, drive sober or get pulled over. A reminder from your friends on the MLS Multiplex.
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Now then, the MLS Multiplex continues its countdown to the 2015 Major League Soccer season with its look back at the past 19 MLS All-Star Games that took place. Today, we look back at the 2000 MLS All-Star Game. This match took place on July 29, 2000 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Paul Tamberino was the man in charge for this contest, which drew 23,495.
As with most of the prior editions, this was a West vs. East setup. And this was a contest where more goals would be scored, rendering both defenses unfit to cope with the rigors of European or South American football. In a one-sided shootout, the East easily ran over the West in a scoreline would normally be seen at a Major League Baseball All-Star Game: 9-4.
FanSided
The East were led by a massive show of force, with players such as Eddie Pope, Lothar Matthaus, Jeff Agoos, John Harkes, Jaime Moreno, Brian McBride, Steve Ralston, Pablo Mastroeni, Carlos Valderrama, Clint Mathis and Mamadou Diallo, the eventual game MVP. As for the West, they were led by Tony Meola, Preki, Khodadad Azizi, Marcelo Balboa, Peter Nowak, Chris Armas, Ante Razov, Greg Vanney, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Jason Kries and Cobi Jones.
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Mathis opened up the scoring in the second minute of play to make it 1-0 to the East. Razov scored a brace in the 17th and 22nd minutes, while Cienfuegos scored in the 19th minutes to make it 3-1 to the West. Moreno (36′) and Adolfo Valencia (39′) fired back to make it all square at 3-3 and just before the break, Nowak scored in the 44th minute to make it 4-3 to the West All-Stars.
But in the second half, the tide would change and the East would dominated. Mark Chung equalized in the 51st minute to put the match even at 4-4. A brace from Diallo in the 59th and 61st minutes put the East in front, 6-4. And goals from Jay Heaps (65′), Dante Washington (67′) and McBride (76′) slammed the door shut on the outclassed West All-Stars for the final scoreline of 9-4.
The MLS Multiplex wishes you a prosperous and safe New Year. Come back tomorrow—or rather, next year—for more reflections on the MLS All-Star Games that have taken place, here on the Plex.