MLS All-Star Game 2011: Park And Anderson Give Manchester United 2-0 Lead At Half

The problem with all-star teams is that they are hastily thrown together and don't have a hint of cohesion. That's going to be a very big problem when that team has to play one of the world's best teams like Manchester United and the MLS All-Star Game has shown that to be a gigantic problem. While the MLS team has struggled to link up or organize themselves at the back, the Red Devils are clicking and thanks to goals by Anderson and Ji-Sung Park, the English Premier League Champions are ahead 2-0 at halftime.

Every time the MLS team goes forward they open themselves up at the back. That said, MLS has several chances to get on the scoreboard. David Beckham was lively and played some great long balls to stretch the United defense and he also ripped a great shot from 30 yards, only to see it tipped over the bar. Thierry Henry also showed no hesitation to get involved, while Brad Davis was active both going forward and tracking back, but the unfamiliarity between the players was evident.

United flew forward and if it weren't some poor balls in the final third they could have a couple more goals. After 20 minutes, United finally broke the deadlock though. The MLS defense looked lost and left Dimitar Berbatov alone at the top of the box. He was able to play it to Wayne Rooney and still the MLS team did not close down. In a late, scrambling attempt to cut down the space, two defenders closed down and left acres of space for Anderson to make a late run into the box. He collected the ball and calmly finished, putting the Red Devils ahead, 1-0.

Just before the halftime whistle United doubled their lead. Park received a pass just inside the box and turned Sean Franklin inside out. With the Galaxy defender lost, Park cut in and ripped a great shot to the back post to make it a 2-0 United lead at halftime.

The way the first half went you would have to think there are more goals in this one. Jamison Olave had to leave the match with an injury and without the hulking centerback the United attackers will find space much easier to come by. United hasn't been picture perfect at the back either and the MLS has enough top attacking players that common sense would dictate they get themselves at least one goal too.