MLS 2010: An Alternative Five to Watch for the All-Stars
27th July 2010
On Wednesday, the 2010 MLS All-Star game will be played at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The opponents this year are an undeniably attractive draw and one that should bring a few global viewers to the game. Manchester United´s American fans will be out in force in Texas this week as a series of events build up to the showpiece match at the home of the NFL´s Houston Texans. The value of the All-Star game is routinely questioned, but with opponents of increasing quality and the fact that it´s timed right in the middle of an already disrupted period of the season, there´s little chance of it being axed.
Some of the All-Stars this year will be familiar to UK supporters. Landon Donovan spent time in the Premier League earlier this year and is joined in Houston by his LA Galaxy and USA colleague Edson Buddle. A handful of others have played in England including Juan Pablo Angel, Jaime Moreno, Bobby Convey and Donovan Ricketts, while others like Guillermo Barros Schelotto might be known to the more obsessive football fan. But there are a number of players involved on Wednesday who will be worth keeping an eye on that might not be widely known outside Major League Soccer. Here´s my five to watch:
Jamison Olave, Real Salt Lake
Colombian centre back Jamison Olave is one of Major League Soccer´s most imposing players and was influential in Real Salt Lake´s MLS Cup success in 2009. As solid on the deck as he is in the air, Olave has followed up last year´s impressive showing with a consistent first half to 2010. He often pops up with a goal at the other end of the pitch - obviously an eye-catching trait - but he deservedly earns regular plaudits for his defending too. Olave is one of three RSL players selected for the ´First XI´ (determined by a public vote in combination with supposed expert views from around the league) alongside Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales.
Kevin Alston, New England Revolution
At 22, Revs right back Kevin Alston is one of the most exciting young players in MLS and was added to the All-Star roster as one of the additional picks by MLS commissioner Don Garber and All-Star coach Bruce Arena. He´s a quick, aggressive full back who defends well but is at his best in the opponents´ half. A Generation Adidas success story, Alston knows how to beat a man, can cross a mean ball and is fearless when flying into the penalty area. His stats don´t quite back up his quality yet, but that will come with experience.
Sebastien Le Toux, Philadelphia Union
When Philadelphia took Sebastien Le Toux from Seattle in their expansion draft, it looked for all the world like an astute pick by the Union. The Frenchman struggled to pin down a first team place at Qwest Field but has proven to be a clever selection for Philly, bagging seven goals already for the under-par newcomers. He links well with Fred and Alejandro Moreno and has laid on as many goals as he´s scored as he aims to fire his team up the table. Finally getting some solid MLS playing time, the 26-year-old is proving himself to be one of the league´s best penalty area strikers and could well grab a goal if he gets some time against United on Wednesday.
David Ferreira, FC Dallas
Olave´s compatriot David Ferreira is a creative playmaker and one of FCD´s most dangerous players. The 30-year-old Colombian international is at Pizza Hut Park on a long-term loan from the Brazilian club Atlético Paranaense and has been a successful signing since heading for Texas ahead of the 2009 MLS season. He was called up as an additional pick for the All-Star game thanks to a good first half of 2010 in which he´s scored four goals and created five from his position as an attacking midfielder. Ferreira is currently on course to beat his 2009 totals for both goals and assists, and he´s as natural a player as anyone else in the league.
Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy
If Alston´s got a chance of starting on the right for the USA in Brazil in four years time, you can bet that Omar Gonzalez will be alongside him at centre back. With the help of the experienced Gregg Berhalter the tall 21-year-old Galaxy star put in a wonderful debut season in 2009 and comfortably pocketed the Rookie of the Year award ahead of Stefan Frei and Chris Pontius. Gonzalez has all the ingredients that make up a top-class modern centre back, matching brilliant reading of the game with an easy swagger on the ball, an intimidating presence and excellent all-round defensive ability.
Chris Nee is the editor of twofootedtackle.com
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