On Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena, MLS-All Stars fell 4-0 to Manchester United in the annual game that marks the halfway point of the Major League Soccer Season. Similar to the past few years, the month of July the American soccer landscape has been taken over by top European clubs playing friendly matches at football stadiums. This summer has been no different, but compared to past years, it seems that MLS teams are not as concerned with these games as in past years. In the survival years of MLS, many clubs would feel the need to play their starters for 90 minutes to prove they can play with the best teams in the world. This year, it has been much different, with most MLS teams playing younger players for 45-60 minutes of each game while resting starters to prepare them for the 2nd half of the season. This truly shows how far MLS has come and though it has lead to some lopsided results, it has proven that winning an MLS title is more important than a great result against Manchester United or Real Madrid.
At the All-Star break, the two best players so far would have to be Brek Shea of FC Dallas and Thierry Henry of New York Red Bulls. Shea started the season at center-back, but once David Ferreira went down injured he moved up the field, to his more customary attacking role. On the season, Shea has 9 goals with most of them being stunning individual efforts. Henry, started his 2nd season with the Red Bulls slowly with many fans questioning his desire. He quickly silenced his critics and has 11 goals and four assists while creating a very good attacking partnership with Luke Rodgers.
In the East, Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew are tied at the top of the table with 31 points and New York Red Bulls right behind with 30 points. The Union has put together a complete squad, no star players, but a lot of good players with a great organization and fan support behind them. The Crew made a lot of off-season changes and though it took the team awhile to click, has played well and will be a tough team to beat down the stretch. New York Red Bulls, have the best starting eleven on paper, but lack of depth along with goalkeeper issues has hindered them from being the top team in the East.
Los Angeles Galaxy has overcome injuries and missing players due to other commitments to lead the west with 42 points. FC Dallas started the season in a bit of a rut, but has been one of the top teams after the opening month and are in second place with 39 points. Seattle Sounders currently are on 38 points and their fans will be hoping this is the year to make a break-through in the MLS Playoffs.
In March, Soccer Banter spoke to a few different people that know MLS about this season, take a look back at their answers to see how they are doing with their predictions!
Marc Connolly - March 1, 2011
Matt Doyle - March 2, 2011
Jeff Carlisle - March 4, 2011
Ridge Mahoney - March 10, 2011
Keith Costigan - April 7, 2011
At the All-Star break, the two best players so far would have to be Brek Shea of FC Dallas and Thierry Henry of New York Red Bulls. Shea started the season at center-back, but once David Ferreira went down injured he moved up the field, to his more customary attacking role. On the season, Shea has 9 goals with most of them being stunning individual efforts. Henry, started his 2nd season with the Red Bulls slowly with many fans questioning his desire. He quickly silenced his critics and has 11 goals and four assists while creating a very good attacking partnership with Luke Rodgers.
In the East, Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew are tied at the top of the table with 31 points and New York Red Bulls right behind with 30 points. The Union has put together a complete squad, no star players, but a lot of good players with a great organization and fan support behind them. The Crew made a lot of off-season changes and though it took the team awhile to click, has played well and will be a tough team to beat down the stretch. New York Red Bulls, have the best starting eleven on paper, but lack of depth along with goalkeeper issues has hindered them from being the top team in the East.
Los Angeles Galaxy has overcome injuries and missing players due to other commitments to lead the west with 42 points. FC Dallas started the season in a bit of a rut, but has been one of the top teams after the opening month and are in second place with 39 points. Seattle Sounders currently are on 38 points and their fans will be hoping this is the year to make a break-through in the MLS Playoffs.
In March, Soccer Banter spoke to a few different people that know MLS about this season, take a look back at their answers to see how they are doing with their predictions!
Marc Connolly - March 1, 2011
Matt Doyle - March 2, 2011
Jeff Carlisle - March 4, 2011
Ridge Mahoney - March 10, 2011
Keith Costigan - April 7, 2011
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