The MLS All-Stars beat Bayern Munich in the MLS All-Star Game before a sellout crowd at Providence Park in Portland. Bradley Wright-Phillips and Landon Donovan scored the goals for the All-Stars, but the friendly win was overshadowed by post-match drama.
MLS All-Stars vs. Bayern Munich: Wright-Phillips, Donovan lead MLS past Bayern
MLS’ leading scorer and all-time leading scorer helped the All-Stars win in their own All-Star Game.
Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
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After the final whistle, All-Star manager Caleb Porter went over to shake Pep Guardiola's hand, but the Bayern manager wagged his finger "no." He wouldn't shake Porter's hand, apparently still upset about a rough tackle earlier in the match from Osvaldo Alonso.
Bayern scored the first goal of the match just eight minutes in when Robert Lewandowski hit a phenomenal shot from 20 yards. It was an absolute rocket that sliced and left Nick Rimando no chance.
Lewandowski is Bayern’s big addition this season and he spent most of the first half showing why. He terrorized the All-Stars and had it not been for some fine saves by Rimando, Bayern could have had a two or three goal lead at halftime.
MLS held on for halftime and came out in the second half looking much better. They kept the ball more and were able to exploit space in behind the high Bayern back line.
In the 51st minute, the All-Stars took advantage of that high line with a ball to Bradley Wright-Phillips. The league’s leading scorer ran onto it and from 20 yards, drilled a shot right into the side netting. It was a great goal and MLS were level at 1-1.
Landon Donovan wasn't expected to play a big role in the match because the LA Galaxy have a match on Friday, but he made the most of his cameo appearance. The league's all-time leading scorer came in not long after halftime and in the 70th minute, ran in behind the Bayern back line. Like Wright-Phillips, he collected a ball, held off a defender and then found the back of the net. After the goal, Donovan was subbed off, and he did so with MLS up, 2-1.
Bill Hamid came in for Rimando at halftime and made sure the All-Stars' lead held up. He made a couple excellent saves, which were especially needed after Bayern made a quadruple substitution of four World Cup winners -- Thomas Müller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Götze and Philipp Lahm -- in the 82nd minute. But Hamid was up to the task and made sure the MLS All-Stars would get a win in their own All-Star Game.
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