New England Soccer Today

Kaka, Villa Lift All-Stars to Victory

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Early goals from a pair of new faces to the league this year helped send the MLS All-Stars to a 2-1 win over EPL side Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Co.

Kaka scored from the spot in the 20th minute after a David Villa corner kick was handled by Nacer Chadli inside the area. Villa scored the second goal for the All-Stars in the 23rd minute on a well-worked sequence in which Kaka provided the final pass. Harry Kane brought one back for Spurs in the 37th minute on a 20-yard blast.

Nick Rimando denied a pair of early bids from Kane to keep the hosts ahead during the first half. He made three saves during the first half before he was spelled by David Oustad.

Kaka was named the game’s MVP following the exhibition.

Revolution left back Chris Tierney was forced to withdraw from Wednesday’s midsummer classic after picking up an ankle injury during last week’s match against the Chicago Fire.

Newcomers make their mark: Kaka, who stars for Orlando City SC, became the first player from an expansion team to score in an All-Star game in league history when he tallied in the 20th minute. Villa, who plays for New York City FC, became the second only three minutes later.

Former Revs make appearances: Two former Revolution players saw the pitch in Wednesday’s match. Sounders forward Clint Dempsey, who played in Foxborough from 2004-06, started the match and went the first 45. Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber, who suited up for the Revolution in 2011 and 2012, came on for the start of the second half.

New half, new XI: All-Star coach Pablo Mastroeni went with an entirely new lineup for the start of the second half. Spurs made a couple of changes at the half before making six changes in the 63rd minute, including the introduction of former Sounders right back DeAndre Yedlin.

Another midsummer classic, another win: The win improved the MLS All-Stars’ all-time record to 7-4 over international squads since the current All-Star/overseas club was introduced in 2005.

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