In my favorite infomercial, a retired football player — whose name I would remember had first I seen Dick Cavett’s info-piece on memory power — demonstrates a barbecue fueled by newspaper. The Palooka crumples up a daily, sticks it under the grill and lights it up while a bunch of folks ask questions — “Is the ink dangerous?” “Of course, not” — before devouring grilled meat. I thought of infomercials while watching five-and-a-half hours of MLS All-Star coverage. It started with the Rock ‘n Soccer Celebrity Game, because the sports peddlers know that rock-marketing is in. A day after World Cup flops did Meadowlark Lemon imitations, we had the All-Star Skills Challenge. Clearly, MLS wanted to show what a great group of likable guys they have. Scores of interviews surrounded contests designed to show off talent — never mind that no one hit the net in the Golazo contest. On Day 3, we had the game, and again we were swamped with get-to-know these fine men pieces. A 6-1 win by the Americans over the World All-Stars just raised uncomfortable questions. But I doubt that the league designed this All-Star stuff to impress soccer fans. It wanted to advertise its personalities to potential customers, and, including rebroadcasts, did so with a dozen hours of weekend TV. To impress soccer fans — and hordes still aren’t sold — two upcoming events are much more important than All-Star shenanigans. The CONCACAF Champions Cup (Aug. 12-16) and the Copa Merconorte (Sept. 1-Dec. 12) pits MLS against foreign clubs. MLS needs success against Latin American clubs to increase credibility among the Latino fans and the Hispanic press. These tournaments won’t receive the fanfare of All-Star weekend, but they provide the genuine competition that can truly benefit the league. I never bought the barbecue. FANS: LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEW Is MLS All-Star Weekend more than an infomercial — or is it entertaining for soccer fans? Click here to log onto (Soccer) American Graffiti. Then click on the topic entitled “Your View: Real road to respect” and respond to Mike Woitalla in 200 words or less. Don’t hold nothin’ back! Best responses will be reprinted in Soccer America Magazine. If YOUR View is selected, we’ll send you a cool t-shirt and pin… Because You’re FANATIC.