The Red Bulls returned to the Big Apple today, following their surprising 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday, which was enough to earn them a first place finish in the Emirates Cup and some attractive silverware (come to think of it those do look a bit like bull horns). The club posted a wrap-up video today, with some post-match comments from the likes of Hans Backe, Tim Ream and Thierry Henry.

What's there to say about this meaningless game, @The Cathedral of Football, except that I really wasn't much into it. We were treated to a great fanzone experience outside, with a few RBNY players on hand. There were BMX and freestyle displays and lots of stuff for kids to enjoy. Inside, we were treated to skydivers & fireworks.

So, yeah... about that All-Star Game. We won't go in depth with a full report. Suffice to say that the MLS All-Stars got their asses handed to them over ninety minutes by one of the world's best club teams. We sincerely hope the league got a nice fat payday out of it because after two consecutive one-sided blowouts the "ASG" looking more and more like an exercise in futility.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Union

The Faryd Mondragon/David Beckham connection continues after the MLS All-Stars 4–0 defeat to Manchester United. In Soccer America's player ratings for Wednesday night's All-Star Game, Mondragon's "6″ is the highest rating received, with only Beckham and Jamison Olave sharing that number.

PSP photographer Daniel Gajdamowicz is covering All-Star activities in New York ahead of tonight's game between the MLS All-Stars and Manchester United. Below is a look at the All-Star Media Challenge match, the supporters game and a look inside the MLS All-Star Hub at Soho.

At the MLS All-Star Hub in Soho

I've given this one a decent thought. I've said before that I'm not a huge fan of the current MLS All-Star game format but it is what it is. Its not perfect and its definitely a risky game for some teams when they see two or three of their star players involved.

But I thought, what if the league returned to their old ways of playing the game in an East v.

Union

With lone Union representative Faryd Mondragon on a MLS roster coached by and littered with Energy Drinks and other all-too-easy ho-hum selections, not to mention that fact that the Dragon isn't starting, does anyone around these parts really give a toss about the All-Star Game?

At first, the only kind of Philly related All-Star story Union fans seem to be able to expect is a retread of the Beckham/Mondragon meeting at the 1998 World Cup kind of story MLSsoccer.

Good morning. Arguably the most high profile event in Red Bull Arena's short history, the 2011 MLS All-Star Game, kicks off tonight at 8:30PM ET on ESPN2 and Galavision. For those who are interested, you can find all of the information you need on lineups and player availability here. Hans Backe assumes the coaching duties for the MLS All-Stars, while Tim Ream and Thierry Henry are likely to be in the starting XI.

Somewhere out there, someone is upset over this news. Quite frankly I and probably most of the die-hard LA Galaxy fans are not. Landon Donovan announced over the weekend that he will skip the MLS All-Star Game this week against Manchester United due to a nagging calf injury that has been bothering him lately.

Forgive me for being a tad late to this party. I've been away from the computer for most of the day and I'm starting to catch up here. The 2011 MLS All-Star Game roster was announced this afternoon and for the most part, the 20-man game roster from Hans Backe isn't too shocking.

Only a couple real shockers, first off is Houston keeper Tally Hall.

Photo: Earl Gardner

River Cup

"1st time in my life i see such brotherhood, respect and chemistry between the front office, technical staff and owners with the fans! DOOP!"

"Definitely this Franchise and its people are UNIQUE!!! These is what we call a real FAMILY DOOP!!!"

Tweets from Faryd Mondragon (Quote 1, Quote 2)

"This is the culture we are trying to create, one big family, and we hope this is just the beginning of events like this.

Thierry Henry headlines the MLS All-Star First XI roster. (Getty Images)

On Sunday, Major League Soccer announced the First XI for the 2011 MLS All-Star Game during the halftime of the Portland-Seattle game. Of the 11 named, seven of them came from two teams, the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls.

Good evening! As our boys prepare for their trip to San Jose - where 25,000 tickets have already been sold - let's take a quick look at the news.
While there's no proven link with his being up in a skybox on Tuesday night, word came out today that head coach Hans Backe is recovering from surgery today and will not be available for the match at Stanford Stadium this Saturday night.

The 2011 MLS All Star jersey hit the league's online store today and well the look of the kit is rather interesting.

Yeah I don't know folks. Maybe it wil look better as the real thing.

Monday afternoon, MLS communications began trumpeting a "major announcement" to be formally unveiled in a Tuesday afternoon conference call involving Don Garber, Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan. Those of us hoping for a new television deal, details on the 2011 playoff format or an actual schedule for the coming season (yes, we're just a month away and still don't know where or when games will take place) began licking our chops in anticipation.