MLS All-Star Game: A shootout in Sandy

SANDY — It was bound to happen. Major League Soccer's All-Stars couldn't continue to host the best teams in the world and expect to win every time.

Sure enough, MLS's five-game winning streak finally came to a close at Rio Tinto Stadium as English Premier League club Everton prevailed in the first penalty shootout in All-Game history. The game finished 1-1, but Everton keeper Tim Howard came up with three saves in the shootout as Everton prevailed 4-3.

"You expect nothing less from him, he's an outstanding keeper," said RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman, who started and played 45 minutes Wednesday. "That's why they love him at Everton and why we love him with the U.S. National Team."

Unlike some of the previous All-Star Games against European teams which were a bit more open, the 2009 game featured a lot of tough defending from both teams. Afterward MLS forward Landon Donovan said he thought it was a very well-played match, one Everton didn't take lightly.

Howard was named the game's MVP for his six regulation saves and three in the shootout, and as he accepted the MVP trophy and midfield he thanked the 20,120 fans for an entertaining evening.

In the previous four All-Star Games the MLS All-Stars had knocked off Fulham, Chelsea, Celtic and West Ham United, and Donovan missed a golden opportunity to make Everton its latest victim when his 75th-minute shot from close-range banged off the left post.

It was the first of three quality scoring opportunities in the final quarter hour for MLS. In the 83rd minute Conor Casey had a shot cleared off the line by Everton's Jose Baxter, and then in stoppage time Everton made a leaping save on a Davy Arnaud strike.

"I think for the most part we were on top of them, we created a lot of chances but Tim came up with some really good chances," said MLS midfielder Brad Davis.

MLS actually came out quite shaky early in the match, perhaps because nine of the starting 11 were making their All-Star debut.

"It took us a little while to get going, first 10, 15 minutes we looked a bit tentative, a bit nervous," said All-Star coach Dominic Kinnear.

Houston midfielder Stuart Holden gifted Everton its first goal in the 12th minute. Upon receiving a throw-in near the top of his own box, Holden tried playing a simple ball across the top of the 18-yard box to teammate Chad Marshall. Everton striker Louis Saha must've been in Holden's blind spot. The Houston midfielder passed the ball directly to Saha who quickly turned and buried the shot past help MLS keeper Kasey Keller.