Quality of finishing separates Manchester United from MLS All-Stars

After the fact, most parties involved that a four-goal margin didn't reflect the balance of play in the MLS All-Star Game. Superior finishing set Manchester United apart. 

Jul 28, 2011 1:26:00 AM 

By Kyle McCarthy 

HARRISON, N.J. – MLS All-Star coach Hans Backe highlighted his side's dynamic attacking qualities in the buildup to Wednesday night's 4-0 defeat to Manchester United.

For the most part, the approach play from his adventurous 4-3-3 against United matched those expectations. The All-Stars offered an ample dose of movement – particularly in the first half – and possessed the ball well enough to carve out some opportunities on the evening.

"We did pretty well with our intention of keeping the ball and passing the ball," New York forward Thierry Henry said. "We could have tried to stay in front of our box and end it there. I thought we did well. We had some opportunities in the first half and, in the second half, we also had some chances."

All of those chances, however, failed to yield any tangible results. Threatening excursions into the penalty area were few and far between, but the All-Stars' long-distance barrage prompted four saves from United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard in the opening half.
In stark contrast to the All-Stars' inability to cap off their chances with the necessary incisiveness in the final third, United conjured up a pair of goals in the first half – including Park Ji-Sung's killer and well-taken solo effort on the stroke of half time – to post a halftime lead that may not have entirely reflected the balance of play.

"The quality of finishing, that's what it is," New England midfielder Shalrie Joseph said. "You can see the difference in the leagues. They were just better finishers in front of goal. We had shots on target. They had goals. That makes a difference."

Such profligacy ultimately gets punished against a top-quality side like United, according to Henry.

"We had some chances to score maybe one or two, but we didn't," Henry said. "That's the difference when you play against a team like Man United. If they have one chance – and maybe not even a chance – and they score. That's the difference."

Although the All-Stars weren't able to convert in front of goal in either half, they can at least reflect upon the difference between the sides and use this experience to work on their sharpness as they return to domestic play this weekend.

"It's a great experience to see what the next level is like, playing against guys who are very skillful," Chivas USA midfielder Nick LaBrocca said. "Maybe we can take a little something [from what] they did today."