MLS no longer playing the role of pushover

SAN JOSE — The MLS certainly has a long way to go to catch up with the level of play showcased in leagues overseas, but it has shown vast improvement over the last few years. Just ask Arsenal.

The popular English team came away with a 2-1 victory over the MLS All-Stars on Thursday night at Avaya Stadium in a tight match that was won on a late goal from Chuba Akpom in the final minutes.

“The league is getting better,” Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi said of the MLS. “They have a lot of good players here, and we knew it was going to be a tough game.”

There was a time where the MLS was considered a league where fading stars past their prime went to finish their careers. That has changed recently with younger world-class players deciding to sign here. Akpom, who earned MVP honors for his game-winning goal, said it felt surreal playing against legends such as Andrea Pirlo and Kaka.

“I grew up watching these guys and to play against them was a dream come true,” The 20-year-old Akpom said.

Didier Drogba, who scored the lone goal for the All-Stars, is still regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in the world. Gunners coach Arsene Wenger believes players such as Drogba are a huge reason why the MLS is on the rise.

“When I see (Drogba) in the box and fighting against younger players, I always think that there is danger there. He’s going to have the upper hand,” Wenger said.

Foreign powerhouse teams may have had trouble getting up for an exhibition like this in the past, but Arsenal forward Joel Campbell said that was not the case this time around. He commended the raised level of play in the league and was impressed with the competitiveness.

“It was a beautiful game,” Campbell said. “These are great players, and it was easy to get motivated for a game like this.”