A "sellout crowd" of 61,428 attended last night's MLS All-Star Game at Soldier Field, where Real Madrid won on penalty kicks after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation (
CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/3). The "environment for the game included a downpour at kickoff" and a fanfest outside the stadium. Fans were "treated to a flyover after the national anthem." Real Madrid stars
Gareth Bale,
Karim Benzema and
Marcelo "didn't start but entered in the 63rd minute." Orlando City F
Dom Dwyer said, "It was a fun night"
(
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/3). Compared to some earlier MLS ASGs, the "difference in energy and anticipation could be felt everywhere," thanks "mostly to a gigawatt opponent in Real Madrid" (
ESPNFC.com, 8/3).
The sellout came despite the Cubs and White Sox both playing home games yesterday. MLS "issued about 700 media credentials" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/3). MLS is now 8-6 in ASGs against foreign clubs and has "lost two in a row for the first time" since '11. When the ASG is "bad, it looks just like every other tired, derivative all-star contest." And "unfortunately," last night's game "fit that description" (SI.com, 8/3).
