All-star games should be about having fun, lackadaisical defense and offensive firepower. At least the MLS All-Star Game got one of those right on a record-breaking Wednesday night in Atlanta.
ESPN gave starting MLS All-Star goalkeeper Brad Guzan a mic and earpiece, allowing him to speak with the TV commentators in the middle of the match against Juventus.
It was stupid, gimmicky, dumb — and we absolutely loved it.
We weren’t the only ones who loved it.
Aswear!! Nobody does showbiz like Americans, nobody!
They actually mic’d up Brad Guzan (goal keeper) while he’s playing and the commentators are conversing with him through this MLS allstar game against Juventus. Soon enough they’ll mic strikers. pic.twitter.com/LObyWHFWQO— eLDee (@eLDeeTheDon) August 2, 2018
Good stuff having Brad Guzan miked up during the #MLSAllStar Game. If we can't have fun with an All-Star Game, then... pic.twitter.com/CCPv511dTL
— Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) August 2, 2018
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan is mic'd up in the middle of the #MLSAllStar game. One of the more strange yet cool things I've ever seen while watching a soccer match.
— Cesar Hernandez (@cesarhfutbol) August 2, 2018
Guzan on the mic is wild hahaha I need more of it
— MLS Transfers (@MLSTransfers) August 2, 2018
Guzan is mic’d up and speaking with a commentator. Why don’t we do this every game? #MLSAllstar
— Ben Goshorn (@TheSoccerGoose) August 2, 2018
Agree 100 percent.
Last year the MLS All-Star Game referee was given a body cam for the match against Real Madrid, which was just as cool. We wish both gimmicks were utilized in more than just all-star games.
Of course, there were a few haters, because haters gonna hate hate, hate, hate, hate, hate.
Turned off the TV the minute I heard Brad Guzan “commentating” WHILE playing.
Shit game for a shit league of course. #MLSAllStar— Ricky (@Horseytweets) August 2, 2018
I wish they would just let Brad Guzan play the game. What a ridiculous thing to do to have a goalkeeper serve as basically a commentator in the middle of the match... #MLSAllStar
— Jamie Goldberg (@Jamiebgoldberg) August 2, 2018
We here at The18 couldn’t wait for Guzan to allow a goal while talking on TV.
Can't wait for Guzan to give up a goal because he was paying too much attention to doing @TaylorTwellman's job for him. pic.twitter.com/NMse4pibIS
— The18 (@the18com) August 2, 2018
We didn’t have to wait long. In the 21st minute, Andrea Favilli redirected his header into the back of the net to give Juventus a 1-0 lead.
Guzan took the earpiece out soon thereafter. Taylor Twellman said he told Guzan that he’d take the blame for any goals Guzan allowed and Guzan could take the earpiece out if that happened.
It was fun while it lasted.
Appreciate @bguzan being a part of our 1st #MLSAllStar player live talkback on the field tonight. Tried to bring a different perspective and he delivered. #MLS
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) August 2, 2018
The MLS All-Stars didn’t trail for long, scoring five minutes after Favilli’s goal. There wasn’t much of a surprise with who found the back of the net, with goal machine Josef Martinez, playing in front of his home crowd, finishing off a goal that was almost as absurd as mic’ing up a goalkeeper.
It had to be him. @JosefMartinez17 for the MLS All-Stars #MLSAllStar by @Target. https://t.co/4WNMDxinc7
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2018
The MLS All-Star Game was tied 1-1 at the half, but another Atlanta United, Ezequiel Barco, player nearly scored but for a stellar save from Gianluigi Buffon’s replacement at Juve, Wojciech Szczesny.
It could be two. @13Szczesny13. #MLSAllStar Game by @Target pic.twitter.com/OVusoZXW13
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2018
The 2018 MLS All-Star Game set a new attendance record for the summer clasico, with 72,317 fans in attendance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, breaking the record set in 2010 in Houston.
72,317. A record breaking night in Atlanta #MLSAllStar Game by @Target pic.twitter.com/KYMJ5x9m0A
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 2, 2018
And that was to see a bunch of teenagers like Tyler Adams, Barco and Alphonso Davies ball out against some chumps who have only won seven Serie A titles in a row.
The match finished 1-1 and went to penalty kicks, the second straight MLS All-Star Game to go to penalty kicks.
Juventus won the shootout 5-3 after Bradley Wright-Phillips struck the post for the only miss.
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