MLS All-Stars shock Bayern Munich

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:33 am

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Landon Donovan celebrated the winning goal in his 14th All-Star game by grasping the MLS badge on his jersey before he was swarmed by his teammates.

Take that, Bayern Munich.

Donovan dribbled the ball at the top of the box before blasting it past German World Cup goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the 70th minute, giving the MLS All-Stars a 2-1 victory over the Bundesliga champions on Wednesday night.

"I'm proud to be a part of this league," Donovan said. "For many years, those of us that were in this league were sort of looked down upon for staying here and playing here. "This was a big moment for our league. And we understand the game doesn't count for anything. We know Bayern are in their preseason and their best players didn't play. But they were still competitive and those guys wanted to win just like we did."

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The Bundesliga champions had seven members of the World Cup-winning German national team, but most of them remained on the bench until about the final 10 minutes.

Bayern manager Pep Guardiola, angry at a pair of tough tackles, angrily left the pitch without shaking the hand of All-Stars coach Caleb Porter.

There was speculation that Guardiola was upset about the aggressive play in what was a preseason exhibition for his team, but he refused to talk about it.

Bayern's manager said he didn't see Porter.

"We certainly didn't mean anything negative,'' Porter said. "Our players have nothing but the utmost respect for Bayern."

While the moment was unfortunate, it didn't dull the celebration in the All-Star locker room. Loud music played and Portland All-Star Diego Valeri collected autographs from his teammates.

The MLS team included several players from the U.S. World Cup squad that advanced out of the group stage in Brazil, including Seattle's Clint Dempsey and Toronto's Michael Bradley.

Landon Donovan drove home the winner for the MLS All-Stars in the second half.
ESPN illustration/Getty

Donovan, the L.A. Galaxy striker who was left off the U.S. World Cup team, got a standing ovation from the crowd when he was subbed out following his goal.

Bradley Wright-Philips of the New York Red Bulls tied it for the All-Stars early in the second half. Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring for Bayern early in the first half.

The event caps a preseason tour for Bayern Munich, who hadn't visited the United States in a decade.

The group of Bayern players from Germany's World Cup-winning team flew into Portland on Wednesday morning, and whisked to a meet-and-greet at Adidas' North American headquarters.

Mario Goetze, who scored the extra-time winner in the final match against Argentina in Brazil, was among the national team players making the overnight stop in Portland.

"It feels like we're only going to be here for 12 hours so we're kind of in and out, but it's exciting," Goetze said.

Guardiola said he was only playing his World Cup players for some 15 minutes apiece and he was true to his word. None of them started on Wednesday night.

Robert Lewandowski delivered the opener for Bayern Munich.
ESPN illustration/Getty

Bayern midfielder Julian Green, who played for the United States in the World Cup, was also listed as a reserve but he was the first Bayern sub to enter the game in the 36th minute. Fans at Providence Park chanted "USA! USA!"

Green was born in Florida but grew up in Germany and has dual citizenship. Just 19, he scored against Belgium in the World Cup, becoming the youngest American with a goal in soccer's premier event.

Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando, who was also on the U.S. World Cup roster, started in goal for the All-Stars, four days after he had his 112th shutout in a victory over Colorado to match the MLS record set by Kevin Hartman.

Rimando leaped with his arms outstretched but couldn't stop Lewandowski's goal for Bayern in the opening minutes. Lewandowski joined Bayern on a free transfer from league rival Borussia Dortmund last month.

Thierry Henry had a strong showing in the first half before coming off early in the second half.
ESPN illustration/Getty

New York's Thierry Henry had a good chance for the All-Stars in the 41st minute, but his long shot sailed just over the crossbar before getting caught in the net.

Wright-Phillips, the league's top scorer with 18 goals this season for the Red Bulls, skipped across the turf after his goal against goalkeeper Tom Starke in the 51st minute.

Following Wright-Phillips' goal, Bayern sent in Neuer to finish out the match.

The MLS is 8-3-1 against international opponents since the league adopted the current All-Star game format, with losses coming to English Premier League club Manchester United and AS Roma. Everton won on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie in 2009.

Roma, led by longtime star Francesco Totti, beat the MLS All-Stars 3-1 in the All-Star game last year in Kansas City. The Galaxy's Gonzalez scored the only goal for the MLS side in second-half stoppage time.