Will Shalrie play the boss man tonight?
Kickoff promptly….that is about 55 minutes after the broadcast start time of 5pm PT. 5:55 PT for the kickoff.
It’s the MLS All-Stars vs. Manchester United and this time Kevin Alston won’t be playing rightback.
Red Bull Arena is the site as Manchester United continues their raucous North American tour.
Chicharito likely won’t be in the line-up for the visitors–having been held overnight at the hospital with symptoms of a mild concussion.
For Domestic FC, Hans Backe filled out the All-Star roster with speed. Will he use it on the flanks against United?
Will Shalrie Joseph boss the midfield?
Here we go shortly….
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The Shin Guardian 
Posted by Ricardo on 2011/07/27 at 4:20 PM
I am excited to watch the game! I am almost positive that Manchester United will win but nonetheless, it should be an interesting game.
Posted by dth on 2011/07/27 at 5:36 PM
Last year was fun, and I think this year will be just as fun (but end much the same way).
I think it’s a mistake to have Beckham in the pivot role–should be Kyle Beckerman. Or Juninho, but Backe inexplicably ignored him. Is Brad Davis in the #10? Interesting to see how this plays out on the field.
Of course ESPN’s lineup graphic is almost certainly wrong.
Posted by Crow on 2011/07/27 at 5:37 PM
John Harkes’ latest ear-bleeding statement: Philadelphia Union’s GK Faryd mon-DRAGON. Ouch. Harkes obviously has no idea what the accent over the final “O” means in Spanish.
Posted by dth on 2011/07/27 at 5:41 PM
The funniest instance of this sort of thing was when Man City played Galaxy–the poor commentators seemed to be trying every possible pronunciation of “Dzeko” except the correct one.
Posted by EFG on 2011/07/27 at 5:39 PM
Why do I have a feeling that Taylor Twellman and Steve McManaman will have a Zoolander-type “Walk Off” at some point this evening? Looks like they both tried to outdo each other fashion-wise.
Posted by Crow on 2011/07/27 at 5:57 PM
Is David Bowie in VIP attendance tonight? If so he’d be available to referee hopefully.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2011/07/27 at 6:49 PM
Twellman and Martino are being used for their looks, and Euro fashion sense!
Posted by dth on 2011/07/27 at 6:00 PM
I suppose now is a convenient time to air a prediction: barring a transfer signing to their central midfield, Manchester United won’t win the EPL this year.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2011/07/27 at 6:46 PM
Can you not see United buying? I would be very surprise as Cleverly is not ready just yet. But don’t forget, Young played centrally a lot last year. They have Nani and Valencia for width…
Posted by EFG on 2011/07/27 at 6:48 PM
If the rumors are to be believed (a big if), where does Vucinic fit in United’s 4-4-2?
Posted by Antonio H. on 2011/07/27 at 6:51 PM
Young doesn’t play the same position as scholes. I’m just stating the obvious. They need another DLP to replace the Ginger Ninja
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2011/07/27 at 6:54 PM
Scholes only played the DLP later in his career as he had to adapt his game due to age. United need that creative influence in the final third, hence why there’s talk about the Sneijders and Modrics of this world, rather than the Alonsos.
Posted by dth on 2011/07/27 at 7:06 PM
Yeah, I could see Rooney or Young playing the #10 role for United. I think they could use a deep-lying player, so I guess I disagree.
Modric can play either deep or as a trequartista, so I wouldn’t necessarily conclude much from that. I think it’s a Modric or Ever Banega, say, that they really need. Especially since United seem to be relying on a Carrick/Fletcher/Anderson midfield. That’s a highly mediocre midfield.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2011/07/27 at 7:24 PM
Anderson has not produced – he was supposed to be Scholes’ long term replacement. I am surprised Sir Alex has kept faith. I like Flethcher in the water-carrier type of role.
Posted by dth on 2011/07/27 at 6:02 PM
If Convey continues his poor performance so far, maybe we’ll finally hear the end of “CONVEY 4 USMNT.” That would be good.
Posted by EFG on 2011/07/27 at 6:46 PM
If only there wasn’t this disconnect between the midfield and the three up top, aside from Beckham’s passes, the MLS might have something more to show. 2-0 doesn’t tell how MLS has been holding possession well.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2011/07/27 at 6:47 PM
Ream’s so-called great distribution has looked shaky today, especially early on.
Posted by EFG on 2011/07/27 at 6:49 PM
100% agree
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2011/07/27 at 6:52 PM
Harkes said it was great pressing. No it was not. Dwelling on the ball or misplaced passes. Should not happen so easily at this level.
Posted by dth on 2011/07/27 at 7:03 PM
Yeah, not his best day from that perspective.
Still, at his best he’s pretty excellent.
Posted by soccernst on 2011/07/27 at 7:23 PM
Tim Howard, please keep your dignity and stop fawning over Steven Lenhart’s perm for Allstate. (on espn3)
Posted by Andy on 2011/07/27 at 7:28 PM
Is getting embarrassed by a motivated United team a good idea for the All-Star game? I would think a 4,5,6 EPL team would be a better game.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2011/07/27 at 8:16 PM
Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool would comfortably beat an All Star MLS team IMHO.
Posted by John on 2011/07/28 at 8:20 AM
I tend to think that quite a few of the top MLS teams would beat the All Star MLS team.
Posted by cpjuengel on 2011/07/27 at 8:17 PM
i wonder that too, but isnt it more fun to continue to play the best, and maybe one day doop them into losing and it becomes more epic.
Posted by Nelsonaoatl on 2011/07/27 at 11:58 PM
spurs play more attractive fun style games. COME ON U SPURS!!!
Posted by EFG on 2011/07/28 at 4:42 AM
I’ve seen more Taylor Twellman games this past week than I think I ever have, and my question is this: Is he always this mad? Relax, Taylor! He was livid in the Galaxy v Man City game with Clichy coming back on after taking a nasty head shot (his anger was warranted, I’ll give him that), indignant after Balotelli’s backheel, and now furious with Backe’s managing last night. Is this is niche or am I seeing too small of a sample?
Posted by Crow on 2011/07/28 at 6:02 AM
Why was the manager of the biggest underachievers this season in MLS managing the All Star team?
Posted by John on 2011/07/28 at 8:33 AM
Five things I noticed from last night
#1 Empty Seats
#2 Home game for Manchester United based.
#3 Beckham (while good at spraying passes side to side) is absolutely abysmal at playing defence.
#4 The MLS has finally reached the same level as every other sports league worldwide in which… I will not watch the all-star game next year.
#5 Capt’n Jack didn’t get hurt, thank goodness. (but if I was an RSL fan, I would be frantically looking for news on Olave).
Posted by John on 2011/07/28 at 8:40 AM
Speaking of Olave…
“Olave suffered a left knee sprain against Manchester United in the first half and was forced to leave the game in the 38th minute. The MLS All-Stars were down 1-0 when he left the game and ended up losing the match 4-0.
Olave will be evaluated by RSL team doctors when he returns to Utah on Thursday, but it’s unlikely he’ll be available for this Saturday’s home match against Columbus.”
Posted by John Henry on 2011/07/28 at 11:54 AM
wow you guys seen the news? http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/07/Bradleys-Tenure-Ends.aspx