Hector Herrera & Los Colchoners Defeat the MLS All Stars In Orlando
Atletico de Madrid defeated the MLS
In the final day of the MLS All-Star midweek in Orlando, the MLS team that included players such as Carlos Vela, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, Nani, and Jonathan Dos Santos to name a few, would be facing Atletico de Madrid in the MLS All-Star game. Unfortunately for fans attending the game, a passing storm delayed the match for 30 minutes.
The game finally began, and the MLS All-Stars were on the attack for the first 20 minutes. Nani and Carlos Vela sought to break the Colchonero’s defense trying to send the ball into the box for the big man Zlatan but were unable to breakthrough. The lone and dangerous opportunity from the All-Stars came from Rooney who sent thunderous shot outside the box but just over the crossbar.
Like has been their style since Diego Simeone took over Atletico, Los Colchoneros defended their backline. They slowly began to take the attacking third of the field with the midfield play of Hector Herrera who controlled the ball smoothly throughout the first half of the game.
In the 43rd minute, Atletico was able to break the tie through a tremendous play by Rodrigo Riquelme. The Colchonero gave a backheel pass to Marcos Llorente, and he made sure the ball found the back of the net giving Madrid the 1-0 lead.
The second half of play saw the All-Stars sub in players such as Diego Rossi and Jonathan Dos Santos. Also, Simeone’s team changed their entire roster at once and brought on two of their star players. One, a veteran by the name of Diego Costa and the other the most expensive young prospect, Joao Felix.
Joao Felix needed only 10 minutes of brilliance to put the game away for Los Colchoneros. He sent a fantastic knuckleball from outside the 18-yard box that stunned MLS veteran goalkeeper Rimando. The RSL goalkeeper could only get a hand on it, but it still made its way into the back of the net giving Atletico a 2-0 lead in 86th minute.
Towards the end, the game started to get more intense as the MLS All-Stars began to pressure to try to get closer and possibly sent this game to penalties. Unfortunately for the All-Stars Joao Felix showed his flash of brilliance once again. He dished a long pass just past the midfield line to the feet of Diego Costa who found himself inside the box and with a one-on-one opportunity against Rimando. Costa did not hesitate as he got the ball passed Rimando with ease, giving Los Colchoneros the final 3-0 score.
Atletico will head down south to Mexico and play against their brothers Atletico de San Luis this weekend. Meanwhile, the All-Stars head back to their respective teams to finish off the final third of the 2019 MLS Season.
