MLS All-Stars Fit Bill Against Chelsea

Chelsea has a team of international superstars and the high-priced roster to go along with them.

In soccer, though, fitness trumps fame.

Dwayne De Rosario scored in the 70th minute Saturday night and backup goalkeeper Joe Cannon made several late saves to preserve the MLS All-Stars’ 1-0 victory over Chelsea, the two-time English Premier League champion.

“Without legs, it’s very difficult to play football. My players were without legs,” Chelsea Coach Jose Mourinho said. “For me this was a training session against other players. And no more than that.”

Chelsea has spent big since Roman Abramovich took over four seasons ago, shelling out about $750 million to build a roster of international stars that now includes Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Joe Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Hernan Crespo and Michael Essien.

Most of the Chelsea players were at the World Cup, but they’re still getting used to each other and it showed. They had five shots on goal, but two went right into the MLS goalkeeper’s hands. Drogba’s apparent goal in the 28th minute was waved off because he was offsides.

Although he has won an MLS Cup title and was runner-up for the league’s most valuable player award last year, De Rosario missed the World Cup in Germany this summer. He is Canadian, and Canada didn’t qualify.

“For me, this was my World Cup,” said De Rosario, the game’s MVP. “It’s a beautiful feeling to score in a game like this.”

De Rosario seemed to be everywhere in the first half, directing the MLS offense. Then, in the 70th minute, he took a pass from Ronnie O’Brien, balanced it on his foot and took a shot that Hilario, Chelsea’s backup goalie, had no chance to grab.

“It’s huge. The whole world is watching this game,” De Rosario said.