The 2016 Major League Soccer All-Star team was probably one of the strongest squads that the league had ever fielded. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the English Premier League club Arsenal as the Gunners downed the All-Stars 2-1.
The star-studded affair was a friendly of the highest order, but it was a chance to highlight to growing talent in American professional soccer on a world stage against a traditional soccer – or football – powerhouse.
The match went down to the wire, but Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom scored in the 87th minute to put his side ahead and Arsenal held on for the win.
Orlando City players Kaká and Cyle Larin were both selected to play for the MLS side in the game, with the former being chosen to captain the All-Star team. Kaká was taken off after the first half, but Larin came on late and had several great runs as the match winded down.
“I think it was a good match,” Larin said after the game to ESPN FC. “We had chances, they had chances. It was just great to play against Arsenal.”
Both almost immediately boarded a plane for Orlando after the finish in order to be back for Sunday’s fixture with the New England Revolution as City begins its era under new coach Jason Kreis. Kreis hasn’t revealed if either will play, saying, “Expect the unexpected.”
“I think we’re back on track,” Larin added about his club. “We’ve got a coach in now that can help us go far in the rest of the season and we can make the playoffs. Everyone just has to keeping doing what they’re doing.”
Orlando City will begin its second half push Sunday night at 7:30 PM at Camping World Stadium.
