Kevin Strootman scored one goal and helped create another Wednesday as Serie A heavyweights AS Roma beat Major League Soccer's All-Stars 3-1.
The All-Stars had hoped for another home win in the league's mid-season exhibition, after last year's dramatic 3-2 victory over Chelsea.
But Roma, taking part in the US league's All-Star festivities for the first time, spoiled the party.
All-Star manager Peter Vermes' starting 11 included some of MLS's best-known faces. Sporting Kansas City hometown players Graham Zusi, Matt Besler and Aurelien Collin were all on the pitch at kickoff, as well as New York Red Bulls' French star Thierry Henry and Montreal's Italian import Marco Di Vaio.
But Roma opened the scoring just five minutes into the contest, when Alessandro Florenzi played a nice ball through to Strootman, who slotted it past goalkeeper Raul Fernandez.
Roma controlled play for the majority of the first half, but the All-Stars created their best chance of the opening 45 minutes one minute before the break. Houston Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis ripped a free kick into the box, but Collin was off-target with his header.
Vermes made several substitutions to the All-Stars side heading into the second half as he brought on Mike Magee, Landon Donovan, Nick Rimando and Chris Wondolowski, but the second half began much like the first.
Roma made it 2-0 in the 47th minute when Federico Balzaretti played a fine low cross from the left to Florenzi, who powered it past Rimando.
Henry came off in the 57th minute in favor of Philadelphia Union striker Jack McInerney, but the hosts were still largely unable to generate many quality chances.
Roma stretched their lead to three in the 68th minute. US international Michael Bradley got things going with a through ball to Strootman, who moved it to a Junior Tallo to finish with a tap-in.
The All-Stars grabbed a consolation goal in injury time, when Camilo sent a free kick into the box where Los Angeles Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez nodded it home.
Source: AFP
