Opting not to clear their bench, Everton took the 2009 MLS All-Star Game on penalties after drawing 1-1 in regulation Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium. Though the All-Stars remain unbeaten in regulation by foreign clubs, the real story of the night was the play of Everton and US National Team keeper Tim Howard. Named the game's Most Valuable Player, Howard pulled off a couple of World class saves including a strong showing in the penalty phase of the game.
"Once again Tim Howard has proved that he is certainly the best goalkeeper in America, and if he keeps playing the way he's doing at the moment, it might not just be America," Everton manager David Moyes said.
"If he plays like that, we're going to get through qualifying relatively easily," MLS All-Star and US National Team player Landon Donovan. "And we can do big things in the World Cup if he is playing like that."
Everton's Louis Saha opened the scoring in the 12th minute, with the All-Stars responding in the 26th through Brad Davis. That was it for regulation, though the All-Stars took 21 shots with seveon frame to Everton's six shots with three on frame. Landon Donovan hit the post for the All-Stars in the 75th minute and it was all Tim Howard with saves on Davy Arnaud and Conor Casey late.
Onto penalties, where it was Howard versus Kasey Keller. The Seattle Sounders keeper was pressed into service after being substituted at halftime for Chivas USA keeper Zach Thornton. In the 61st minute, Thornton injured his thigh. That put Keller back in net for the remainder. Howard saved Freddie Llungberg's attempt in the sixth round of penalties to give Everton the win.
Everton FC (1-0-0) vs. MLS All-Stars (0-1-0)
July 29, 2009 -- Rio Tinto Stadium
Scoring Summary:
EVE -- Louis Saha 1 (unassisted) 12
MLS -- Brad Davis 1 (Stuart Holden 1, Conor Casey 1) 26
Penalty-kick shootout:
EVE -- James Vaughan (High)
MLS -- Landon Donovan (Goal)
EVE -- Jo (Saved)
MLS -- Brad Davis (Saved)
EVE -- Leighton Baines (Goal)
MLS -- Davy Arnaud (Saved)
EVE -- Phil Neville (Goal)
MLS -- Will Johnson (Goal)
EVE -- Joleon Lescott (Goal)
MLS -- Conor Casey (Goal)
EVE -- Jack Rodwell (Goal)
MLS -- Freddie Ljungberg (Saved)
Everton FC -- Tim Howard, Tony Hibbert, Joleon Lescott, Joseph Yobo, Leighton Baines, Tim Cahill (James Wallace 76), Marouane Fellaini (Jo 55), Phil Neville, Jack Rodwell, Leon Osman (James Vaughan 76), Louis Saha (Jose Baxter 76),
Substitutes Not Used: Carlo Nash
MLS All-Stars -- Kasey Keller (Zach Thornton 46), Geoff Cameron, Chad Marshall (Bakary Soumare 46), Wilman Conde (Jhon Kennedy Hurtado 64), Stuart Holden (Javier Morales 64), Kyle Beckerman (Will Johnson 46), Freddie Ljungberg, Brad Davis, Fredy Montero (Landon Donovan 46), Conor Casey, Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Davy Arnaud 63).
