Almost There: MLS Is on the Cusp of Silencing Critics Worldwide

Nothing could have been better—nothing.

It was perfection embodied in a midsummer's night dream in Sandy, Utah, as the best of the MLS looked to expand on their unbeaten streak against some of the world's best clubs, which was at five.

Then, Tim Howard had to come along and ruin the whole thing.

In what was arguably the most-competitive MLS All-Star game of all time, the 2009 version squad saw a slew of new faces take the pitch against one of the up-and-coming teams in the English Premier League in Everton FC.

The match was embodied by effort and determination. Everton FC—who came to Utah a couple years back and were run out of the stadium by a score of 2-0 at the hands of Real Salt Lake—seemed determined to put an end to the American-based All-Stars streak.

As Landon Donovan described postgame, he bluntly mentioned that it was a real match with real exertion and typical grit.

It was.

Excuse Stuart Holden's criminally-horrible soft pass toward Kasey Keller (or as it seemed, Louis Saha) that led to Everton taking an easy-and-early 1-0 lead. After that, it was all MLS, per usual.

The 3-4-3 system instrumented to get the best out of the players on the pitch seemed a bit off-kilter for the first 15 to 20 minutes, but once the flow was expanded and the field was opened up, the All-Stars were back.

The All-Stars were a talented bunch—a wide range of different types of players from even more different parts of the world than most soccer teams. There was the likes of former Arsenal star Freddie Ljunberg. Then there were the likes of the minuscule Real Salt Lake workhorse Will Johnson.

They, as they have done over the past five summers, have meshed. Meshed into a collaborate and intricate unit of attack and teamwork.

It's too bad all MLS squads can't be this deep in talent, versatility, and allure.

That's the ultimate issue with the MLS. The players are there; the flare gleams every once in a while, but the teams, on a consistent basis, are awfully JV. It's quite unfortunate. But there is no reason to look at the issue as the glass being half-empty.

It is, but at the same time, it's not.

No, David Beckham wasn't there to take the few free kicks he could've potentially buried (well, maybe not since Howard was Superman), but for the past few seasons, the MLS has been on the fast track.

Even the archetypal sports columnists, drunk on NBA postseason side stories and Michael Vick's next hometown, are beginning to realize that soccer, despite some unnecessary flak, is quite the attractive sport.

It's easy to say; it's the "beautiful game;" or rather, it's the "world's game." We know; we get it. Everyone except America, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic live for soccer.

And rightfully so, it's starting to make strides.

The 20,120 that packed Rio Tinto Stadium went bonkers for Howard, arguably the best American soccer player. He signaled to the Everton supporters, and he also constantly obliged the adoring crowd.

Those in charge of this year's All-Star Game showdown surely lucked out. They were part of the Summer Classic that was to be decided via the penalty spot.

It was also the best possible scenario, as the starter, Keller, had to participate due to backup Zach Thornton's injury in the second half.

It was Keller vs. Howard—master vs. pupil.

It just was.

And as Everton missed the first two spot kicks, Howard's attentiveness and demeanor obviously shook the likes of Brad Evans and Davy Arnaud. Howard read the All-Stars as easily as a children's book and showed why he's one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

All of the electricity would've been drained from the stadium about 15 minutes earlier had Donovan easily buried a golden opportunity as he was one-on-one with U.S. National teammate Howard bearing down on him. It truly was an impossible miss made possible.

As Ljunberg tried to level the All-Stars against Superman, his fancy chip fooled Howard. But Clark Kent transformed into Superman, and Howard held onto the chip.

Ironic, isn't it? One of the MLS's most famous children puts a halt to a streak that has gained notoriety worldwide. The prodigal son returned and with a bang.

The story of the match was yet another exciting, entertaining, and effort-filled matchup of two star-ladened squads. It's nice seeing some elbow grease applied for the fans that pay tremendous amounts of moola to see the stars align, not self-induced alley-oops or confounding ties. (Cough, Bud.)

The All-Stars were the better team on this night, but it was a former MetroStar—whatever that means—that made sure many of his former leaguemates and teammates wouldn't have the chance to extend the streak to six.

Now, if only Beckham would've been invited, maybe things would've been different.

Nah. Howard was determined to put on a show and outshine his former mentor and the league that ushered him into his current stardom.

Again, ironic.