After the warmup of the MLS Homegrown team taking on the Mexican U-20s yesterday, the main event of MLS All Star week is here: tonight, the players from MLS will take on Arsenal FC. Since 2005, MLS has invited a European team to come to the States and play against the All Stars; in every year but two, that team has come from the British Isles.
Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal is a perennially popular team in the United States, so getting them as the opponent is a good bit of business for Major League Soccer. Names like Didier Drogba and Sebastian Giovinco give MLS a chance to pull off a third straight victory, if the defense and the goalkeeping can keep pace.
It is soccer on a Thursday, so why not sit back and enjoy it with us?
Key player: Steve Birnbaum
As the only D.C. United player in San Jose this evening, all eyes will be on Birnbaum. With Liam Ridgewell and Matt Besler both out, Birnbaum will definitely see time on the field and will be jockeying with Laurent Ciman, Jelle Van Damme, and Kendall Waston for the start.
Location: Avaya Stadium (San Jose, CA)
Kickoff time: 7:30pm Eastern
Available TV: ESPN, Univision Deportes, UniMas
Available streaming: WatchESPN, Univision Deportes
For listings in other countries, check out LiveSoccerTV.com.
Treat this as the gamethread for tonight’s match.