Union's Mondragon, MLS all-stars roughed up by Manchester United, 4-0
HARRISON, N.J. - Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon and the rest of his all-star teammates got a firsthand look at the explosiveness of Manchester United in the Major League Soccer All-Star Game on Wednesday night. Playing the first half for the MLS all-stars, Mondragon allowed two goals in a 4-0 loss before a sellout crowd of 26,760 at Red Bull Arena.
HARRISON, N.J. - Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon and the rest of his all-star teammates got a firsthand look at the explosiveness of Manchester United in the Major League Soccer All-Star Game on Wednesday night. Playing the first half for the MLS all-stars, Mondragon allowed two goals in a 4-0 loss before a sellout crowd of 26,760 at Red Bull Arena.
"I am very proud and enjoyed it very much, but now the nice party is over and I have to think about Friday because we have a very important game," Mondragon said. The Union will play defending MLS champion Colorado on Friday at PPL Park.
The 40-year-old Mondragon was the Union's lone all-star. He entered the contest with a 0.84 goals-against average and seven shutouts for a Union team that is 8-4-7 and tied for the Eastern Conference lead with Columbus.
It didn't take long for Mondragon to get some action. In the first minute, the keeper easily beat Manchester United star Wayne Rooney to a loose ball.
Mondragon was quick off his line during the 18th minute when he intercepted a cross from Rooney that was intended for Dimitar Berbatov, who was in front of the goal.
A short time later, Mondragon wasn't as fortunate. Rooney worked a great give-and-go with Anderson, who one-timed a 12-yard shot past Mondragon in the 20th minute. The Union keeper had no chance.
Manchester United's Ji-sung Park made it 2-0 in the 45th minute. Starting from the 18, he turned around defender Sean Franklin of the Los Angeles Galaxy and then fired in from 12 yards past a diving Mondragon. Park was named the game's MVP.
"I was more disappointed in the second goal because I got a piece of it," Mondragon said.
Mondragon's counterpart, Anders Lindegaard of Manchester United, stole the show in the first half, making several big stops. His diving save of a 30-yard blast by the Galaxy's David Beckham was a classic.
Mondragon was replaced at halftime by Tally Hall of the Houston Dynamo. Hall allowed goals to Berbatov and Danny Welbeck before being replaced in the 83d minute by MLS icon Kasey Keller of the Seattle Sounders.
All-Star Game in Phila.? When asked if the Philadelphia area would be hosting an all-star game in the near future, a league official said: "In the next three years, Philadelphia should be in the mix."
During a halftime interview with reporters, MLS commissioner Don Garber did not give a time line but said Philadelphia would host an All-Star Game.
"I am not sure how soon," Garber said. "Every new team, particularly those who made a commitment to build a stadium, who have a passionate fan base, should have an All-Star Game."
Next year's all-star venue has yet to be determined.
Short shots. Former Penn Charter star Bobby Convey of the San Jose Earthquakes was in the starting lineup as a defender for the MLS all-stars. . . . Union forward-midfielder Sebastien Le Toux attended the game, greeting fans and signing autographs.