MLS All-Star Game '09: Soccer On The Rise

As the crown jewels of Major League Soccer stepped onto the field to face the EPL's fifth best team from the previous year, expectations were high, as America's league had posted a 5-0 record in past five years against international powers.

Everton, led by American and former Manchester United keeper Tim Howard, struggled to create many chances throughout Wednesday's match up. The MLS out shot the European standouts 21-6, and Howard was forced to make three times as many saves as Seattle's Kasey Keller, who made his MLS All-Star debut.

Goals from ex-ManU striker Louis Saha in the 12th minute thanks to a Stuart Holden error in the defending third, and the backpost tap-in by Houston striker Brad Davis, knotted the game at 1-1 at the end of regulation.

After six rounds of penalties, Everton had won. Howard had stunned the ecstatic Real Salt Lake crowd. Howard made three saves, including the deciding shot by All-Star captain, Freddie Ljungberg.

This was a great day for soccer in the United States—despite the result. With more and more fans being drawn in by international stars like Mexico's Cuauhtemoc Blanco of the Chicago Fire, Seattle's Ljungberg, and the oh-so-controversial David Beckham, things continue to look up for soccer in this country.

Following this years runner-up finishes in both the Confed Cup and Gold Cup (with essentially a reserve squad), the great players and organizations of the United States have sparked a recent national interest.

More and more people have turned to soccer in a time where American football stars face jail time for drugs, shootings, and other crimes, and when baseball brings forward more and more evidence of PED usage among its star players.

The popularity and exposure of soccer in the United States continues to increase exponentially everyday thanks to the thrilling matches like the one witnesses last night.

To the MLS, Everton, and all those invloved, I say 'Thank you' for teaching America to love this great sport of soccer.