Rising star Federico Macheda’s two goals and the impressive debut of Javier “Chicharito” Hernández keyed a blowout win by Manchester United F.C., which defeated the incongruent MLS All-Stars 5-2.
Manchester United also had goals from Darron Gibson and Tom Cleverley, while the two MLS strikes were perpetrated by Houston Dynamo forward Brian Ching and Toronto F.C. forward (and former Dynamo star) Dwayne De Rosario.
The Red Devils were off to a dynamic debut with Macheda bringing home a ferocious shot on goal not even a half minute into the contest to give Manchester United a lead they’d never surrender. Less than 10 minutes later, he’d add his second on an impressive elevated header. The MLS All-Stars finally began to find continuity and their stride, and despite several close chances, they found themselves still trailing 2-0 at the half.
Ching gave the MLS side a pulse after heading home a goal of his own early in the 63rd minute, but Manchester United responded in kind. Six minutes later, Irish national Darron Gibson scored to put the game mostly out of reach.
Mexican national side star and wunderkind Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez would receive the loudest ovation of the night, coming on shortly thereafter and instantaneously showcasing why Manchester United spent the millions of pounds they did to bring him aboard. After Tom Cleverly added the side’s fourth, Chicharito (Spanish for ‘Little Pea’) struck a questionably on-side but undeniably beautiful touch to put the MLS All-Stars into North Korea deficit territory.
De Rosardio, a member of the Dynamo’s two-time MLS Cup champion sides, would go onto add a consolation goal in the 89th for those fans still sticking around.