The MLS squad, chosen by fans, players, media, coaches and administrators, prevailed, 3-2, over Coach Bruce Arena's USA, a combination of current MLS-based national team players and former U.S. internationals, in the 2002 MLS All-Star Game.
The game, which drew 31,096 fans to Washington's RFK Stadium on Sunday, was delayed for 58 minutes in first half because of a severe storm. The first half was cut short by 15 minutes.
Marco Etcheverry, whose goal gave the MLS team a 2-1 lead in the 72nd minute, garnered MVP honors. The Bolivian of D.C. United, a halftime sub, was selected to the team as one of Don Garber's commissioner's choices. (The Dallas Burn's Joselito Vaca, who assisted on Etcheverry's goal, was Garber's other pick.)
New England midfielder Steve Ralston scored the gamewinner in the 81st minute, beating keeper Juergen Sommer on a sharp angle.
The USA scored the game's first goal after a nice combination of passes culminated with Chris Henderson sliding a ball across the penalty area for Landon Donovan to slot home.
Jason Kreis (Dallas Burn) hit the equalizer a minute later after a pass from Chris Klein (Kansas City).
The MLS All-Stars took their first lead of the evening after Vaca, taking a pass from Wade Barrett (San Jose), sent a through ball to Etcheverry, who chipped the ball past Sommer.
Cobi Jones made it 2-2 by redirecting a pass from Brian McBride past keeper Joe Cannon (San Jose).
Ralston, after passes from Klein and Kreis, hit the winner with nine minutes left.
2002 MLS All-Star Game
Aug. 3 in Washington, D.C.
MLS All-Stars 3 USA 2
Goals:
USA — Donovan (Henderson, Beasley) 58
MLS All-Stars — Kreis (Klein) 59
MLS All-Stars — Etcheverry (Vaca, Barrett) 72
USA — Jones (McBride, Maisonneuve) 76
MLS All-Stars — Ralston (Kreis, Klein) 81
USA — Tony Meola (Juergen Sommer, 46), Eddie Pope (Alexi Lalas, 46), Carlos Llamosa (Chris Henderson, 46), Jeff Agoos (Chad Deering, 46), Cobi Jones, Brian Maisonneuve, Pablo Mastroeni, Preki (Mike Burns, 46), DaMarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan, Brian McBride.
MLS ALL-STARS — MLS ALL STARS–Tim Howard (Joe Cannon 46), Ryan Suarez (Wade Barrett, 18) Mike Petke (Ariel Graziani, 46), Carlos Bocanegra (Richard Mulrooney 78; Dema Kovalenko 70), Steve Ralston (Chris Klein, 46), Richard Mulrooney (Dema Kovalenko 70; Joselito Vaca 46), Carlos Valderrama (Mike Petke 70; Ariel Graziani 46), Dema Kovalenko (Joselito Vaca, 46), Mark Chung (Steve Ralston 70; Chris Klein 46), Taylor Twellman (Marco Etcheverry, 46), Carlos Ruiz (Jason Kreis 46)
Referee: Brian Hall; Assistant Referees: Nathan Clement, Craig Lowry.
Att.: 31,096; Weather: showers.