by Jeff Dieffenbach

In five of the six MLS All-Star games to date, East met West (the 1998 version pitted American players against their international counterparts). Overall, East traditionally fares better, winning by scores of 3-2 (1996), 5-4 (1997), 9-4 (2000), and tying 6-6 (2001). The East’s only blemish? A 6-4 loss in 1999’s defensive struggle.

This year, the Men’s “National Team” faces off against the best of the MLS rest. Rather than drag the European players back across the pond, however, coach Bruce Arena opted for the classy approach of inviting current MLS players who have contributed to the national side’s success since 1990 (one wish: that Paul Caligiuri be pulled out of retirement to join this group for one last game).

Of the hybrid national team, eight of the eighteen players play for Eastern Conference clubs. The split might well have been nine to nine had honorary team captain Chris Armas been fit to play.

National Team All-Stars

East: DaMarcus Beasley (Chicago), John Harkes (Colombus), Carlos Llamosa (New England), Brian Maisonneuve (Columbus), Brian McBride (Columbus), Eddie Pope (DC), Juergen Sommer (New England), Josh Wolff (Chicago)

West: Jeff Agoos (San Jose), Mike Burns (Kansas City), Chad Deering (Dallas), Landon Donovan (San Jose), Chris Henderson (Colorado), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles), Alexi Lalas (Los Angeles), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado), Tony Meola (Kansas City), Preki (Kansas City)

Similarly, the “best of the MLS rest” starting line-up balances evenly, with six of the eleven hailing from the East.

MLS All-Stars

East: Carlos Bocanegra (Chicago), Tim Howard (New York), Dema Kovalenko (Chicago), Mike Petke (New York), Steve Ralston (New England), Taylor Twellman (New England)

West: Mark Chung (Colorado), Richard Mulrooney (San Jose), Carlos Ruiz (Los Angelese), Ryan Suarez (Dallas), Carlos Valderrama (Colorado)

Changing gears, a look at the scoring leaders for this year shows that five of the top ten play in the East: Twellman (ranked 1st), Ante Razov (5th), Jeff Cunningham (6th), Ralston (7th), and Mamadou Diallo 8th).

With all of this balance, one would be forgiven for thinking the Eastern Conference an equal match for the West. A look at the standings quickly dispels that notion, however.

San Jose (West) and Chicago (East) lead their conferences with 32 and 23 points, respectively. Amazingly, were Chicago to magically transport to the Western Conference, they would own last place!

As of Friday, July 19, the overall standings are as follows.

San Jose: 32 points (West)
Dallas: 30 points (West)
Los Angeles: 26 points (West)
Colorado: 25 points (West)
Kansas City: 24 points (West)
Chicago: 23 points (East)
New York: 23 points (East)
Columbus: 21 points (East)
DC: 19 points (East)
New England: 19 points (East)

Readers are challenged to find similar post mid-season results, in any sport. Ever.