MLS All-Stars Lose To Real Madrid 4-2 In Penalty Shootout

The MLS All-Stars have defeated several major European soccer clubs throughout the years, including Celtic, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, but they were unable to overpower this year’s opponents on Wednesday night.

Real madrid MLS All-Star Game 2017

After tying 1-1 in regulation, Real Madrid beat the MLS All-Stars 4-2 in a penalty shootout at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Brazilian defender Marcelo scored the game-winner in the shootout and 19-year-old French goalkeeper Luca Zidane — the son of Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane — made two saves.

Following a scoreless first half in which Real Madrid dominated possession and recorded 19 shots on goal, 20-year-old Spanish forward Borja Mayoral — an All-Star MVP — netted in the 59th minute for the visitors.

Orlando City’s English forward Dom Dwyer tied it for the All-Stars in the 87th minute by knocking in a rebound of a Dax McCarty shot that hit the post with a free header from a corner kick.

All-Stars goalie Tim Howard of the Colorado Rapids and the U.S. Men’s National Team made two saves in the first half, though several of Real Madrid’s scoring attempts before the break — many of which midfielder Isco orchestrated — flew just wide of Howard’s goalposts.

The All-Stars’ best scoring opportunity of the first half came in the 36th minute, when Orlando City’s Brazilian midfielder Kaka beat his defender on the left before feeding New York City FC’s David Villa at the near post. However, the Spanish star’s shot was saved by Real Madrid’s onrushing Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Toronto FC’s Italian midfielder Sebastian Giovinco also had a close scoring chance for the All-Stars just before halftime when his strike from 35 yards out flew just inches wide of Navas’ goal.

After making two first-half substitutions — one forced by a shoulder injury to Greg Garza — All-Star head coach Veljko Paunovic made ten lineup changes at halftime, leaving only first-half sub Ignacio Piatti on the field. Zidane, on the other hand, made only three substitutions at that point, his first three of the night.

Just after the hour mark, Zidane brought in some of his top players, including Karim Benzema, Marcelo, Gareth Bale and Casemiro.

These substitutions proved fruitful, as Real Madrid — which finished with 30 shots on Thursday — also dominated control in the second half. Bale fired a shot off the far post from a tight angle shortly after coming on, while Marcelo came across in the last moment to block Diego Valeri’s seemingly open strike on goal in the 71st minute. That was one of the All-Stars’ best opportunities of the second half, along with a Nemanja Nikolic effort that went wide one minute earlier.

“It was a bit difficult angle for me, and I tried to put it in the first angle,” said Nikolic, the league’s leading goal scorer. “We had some good runs in the second half and just missed some opportunities.”

With the All-Star Game in Chicago for the first time since 2006, when it was played at Toyota Park, Nikolic pointed out the magnitude of the sellout: 61,428 fans attended Thursday’s game at Soldier Field.

“Soccer is growing here every year,” Nikolic said. “This city deserves this game. They made for a fantastic atmosphere.”

In the shootout, Dwyer saw his opening shot saved, while Los Angeles Galaxy’s Mexican attacking midfielder Giovani dos Santos smashed his effort off the crossbar.

Cristiano Ronaldo did not play for Real Madrid, as he is currently in Spain dealing with charges of tax evasion.

Paunovic — who is also coach of the MLS’s Chicago Fire — said he was overwhelmed by the noise on Nikolic’s near goal and when the fans started chanting, “Chicago Fire.”

“It was very nice to see and hear the support from the fans,” he said. “I think our potential is huge. We are putting together the pieces in our club, and it’s very important to represent the community.”

CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 02: Mateo Kovacic #16 of Real Madrid moves past Diego Valeri #9 of the MLS All-Stars during the 2017 MLS All- Star Game at Soldier Field on August 2, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Real Madrid defeated the MLS All-Stars 4-2 in a shootout following a 1-1 regulation tie. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena

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