Tune in at 8:30 PM ET as the MLS All-Stars take on Chelsea. Dan Frankel will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
Thanks for joining me for the liveblog of the 2012 MLS All-Star Game from PPL Park in Philadelphia, as the MLS All Stars face off against Chelsea FC. Please feel free to send in your comments and questions.
The MLS All-Star teams of previous years have faired fairly well against top international competition with a record of 6-2-1. However, the past two years have quite frankly been pretty embarrassing for the MLS All-Stars. They lost to Manchester United 4-0 in 2011 and 5-2 in 2010.
This is the second matchup between the MLS All-Stars and Chelsea, as they met in 2006 in Chicago. That year the MLS All Star Team beat Chelsea 1-0 on a Dwayne De Rosario goal in the 70th minute.
This is Chelsea’s third game of their 2012 Summer Exhibition tour in the USA. They beat the Seattle Sounders 4-2 and most recently tied PSG in Yankee Stadium 1-1. This should be an exciting game to watch as the reigning UEFA Champions League and FA Cup winners have brought a strong squad to Philly, to face off against arguably the best MLS squad ever assembled.
MLS All-Star Starting Lineup (4-4-2)
Nielsen, Beitashour, Collin, DeMerit, Morrow, Alonso, Beckham, De Rosario (C), Donovan, Henry, Wondolowski
Chelsea Starting Lineup (4-3-3)
Hilario, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (C), Cole, Essien, Lampard, Ramires, Marin, Benayoun, Lukaku
Unfortunately Torres has been left out of the Chelsea squad, as he has just returned from his break following the Euro Cup last month and is not match fit yet.
Chelsea’s starting 11 is the strongest group they have fielded on their preseason tour.
The MLS starts with a very offensive starting 11. Should be fun to watch Wondolowski, Henry, Donovan, Beckham and De Rosario all attacking together.
Despite the fact that the MLS is fielding their best team ever, I think Chelsea will be too strong.
Especially considering the fact that Chelsea manager Di Matteo said today that he will be playing his starters significant minutes.
That seems like a very reasonable prediction.
Would be an improvement over last year's 4-0 shellacking against Manchester United.
He played for Werder Bremen in Germany. He is a highly touted 23 year old German winger.
We are still just a few minutes away here from opening kick-off in Philly
The game is off to a pretty slow start
MLS All-Stars keeping possession nicely
Good early spell of possession for the All-Stars, ends in a long De Rosario strike. Easily dealt with by Hilario
Yes, it is a bit of showcase for some of the young talent in the MLS. Even some of the older players like Beckham and Henry want to still prove that they still have it.
Beckham with his first set-piece. Hilario again is up to the challenge and handles it well
Chelsea looks like they are still in preseason mode right now, very sloppy.
Lukaku gets Chelsea's first change of the game. Lukaku in on goal but a great recovering tackle from DeMerit
A couple of dangerous crosses from Chelsea, ending in an Ashely Cole shot well over the bar
He was on loan last year to Arsenal from Chelsea. He is trying to stick with Chelsea this year.
All Chelsea's strikers in camp this preseason have been given an opportunity to shine because of the absence of Torres, Sturridge
Especially Lukaku who just a moment ago has his cross blocked by who Collin
Lampard takes the game's first corner kick. Easily cleared by the All-Stars
Both teams still trying to find their rhythm, with Chelsea holding the majority of possession at this point.
Lampard was just recently rumoured to be considering a move to the Galaxy to join his pal Beckham
The All-Stars appear to be content sitting back and trying to spring counter-attacks
Ramires looks very lively right now for Chelsea but is lacking the final product at the moment
Lampard and Essien are controlling the game right now for Chelsea
Marin makes a couple good moves for Chelsea but loses possession
Again, Chelsea squanders a good spell of possession with sloppy play in the attacking third.
