The 2002 Major League Soccer All-Star Game was the 7th edition of the Major League Soccer All-Star Game, played on August 3, 2002 at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C. The match was contested by the MLS All-Stars team and the United States on the invitation of MLS, who looked to capitalize on their success at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Bruce Arena assembled a roster of the national team's most prominent domestic players in the last decade in place of the European-based players from the 2002 World Cup roster to rest them; then-San Jose Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop formed an All-Star team of the top talent among the league's remaining players.

The match

Summary

Despite bad weather leading to a rain delay in the first half, the game saw a flurry of goals toward its conclusion. U.S. standout and San Jose Earthquakes' forward Landon Donovan opened the scoring for the national team, while the Dallas Burn's Jason Kreis responded with the equalizer in the following minute. D.C. United midfielder and MVP Marco Etcheverry gave the All-Stars the lead with help from fellow Bolivian Joselito Vaca. The Los Angeles Galaxy's Cobi Jones tied the game on a Brian McBride cross, but the New England Revolution's Steve Ralston scored late in the second half to give MLS the All-Star Game win.

Details