MLS all-stars can't man up

HOUSTON - Manchester United turned the Major League Soccer All-Star Game into its own showcase of talent.

Federico Macheda had 2 early goals, Mexican star Javier Hernandez scored in his debut for the Red Devils, and Manchester United routed the MLS all-stars 5-2 on Wednesday night in the final exhibition game of its North American tour.

Darron Gibson and Tom Cleverley added goals for the Red Devils, tuning up for the start of the Premier League season next month.

Houston Dynamo star Brian Ching had a goal and an assist for the all-stars, who were hoping for a validating victory against one of the world's pre-eminent soccer powers. But Macheda scored twice in the first 13 minutes, quickly dashing the MLS team's hopes.

The Red Devils, who played without several top players, circled the field and applauded the fans after the game.

The sellout crowd was announced at 70,728, the largest for an MLS All-Star Game since the first one in 1996 drew 78,416 to Giants Stadium. The attendance figure was the largest for a soccer game at Reliant Stadium.

MLS all-star teams had won five of their last six matchups against international competition, including a 1-0 win over former Premier League champion Chelsea in 2006. They were confident this week, eager to show how much progress the league has made since its inception in 1996.

But the Red Devils, stinging after a 2-1 loss to Kansas City on Sunday, took a 1-0 lead before the smoke had cleared from the pregame fireworks display. Macheda intercepted a weak pass by defender Kevin Alston and chipped a low shot past goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts just 24 seconds into the game.

Macheda made it 2-0 in the 13th minute, beating Ricketts with a header off a corner kick by Nani.

American star Landon Donovan was among those who stayed on the MLS bench in the first half. Donovan and Los Angeles Galaxy teammate Edson Buddle played in a CONCACAF Champions League game Tuesday night in California and flew to Houston on Wednesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson inserted Hernandez in the 63rd minute, prompting roars from the thousands of Mexican fans in attendance. The Red Devils acquired the 22-year-old Hernandez in April, the club's first Mexican player.

Ching scored a minute later, heading in David Ferreira's free kick from the left side.

Hernandez got behind the all-stars' defense in the 69th minute and was tackled by Chicago Fire defender Wilman Conde, who earned a yellow card. Gibson converted the resulting free kick, curving a shot from just outside the penalty area into the upper left corner of the goal.

Cleverley scored about 3 minutes later, flipping the ball over Conde and beating backup goalkeeper Nick Rimando with a low left-footed shot.

Red Stars fall: Chicago fell behind early and the host Philadelphia Independence defeated the Red Stars 3-0 in Women's Professional Soccer action at John A. Farrell Stadium in West Chester, Pa.

The Red Stars' three-game skid is their longest of the season and the longest since they dropped three in a row from July 15-26 during the 2009 season.

The Red Stars fall to 4-8-5 (17 points) and Philadelphia improves to 8-5-3 (27 points).

Next up for the Red Stars is a 6 p.m. match on Sunday against the defending champion Sky Blue FC in Piscataway, N.J.

Philadelphia's leading scorer Amy Rodriguez led the way for the Independence with goals in the 12th and 25th minutes, and she assisted Caroline Seger's goal in the 56th minute.