SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquake forward Landon Donovan put on a show for his hometown fans.
The MLS Western All-Stars drew level with the MLS Eastern All-Stars, 6-6, in front of 23,512 fans at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, Calif.
Donovan, who was named the game’s MVP, tallied a hat trick for the West in just the first 19 minutes. The West extended their first-half lead to four goals when Ariel Graziani found the back of the net in the 26th minute.
However, the East were far from giving up.
Miami’s Alex Pineda Chacón scored in the 28th minute, and Brian McBride netted two of his own in the 34th and 39th minutes to bring the East’s deficit to one at halftime.
Tampa Bay Mutiny forward Mamadou Diallo equalized for the East in the 53rd minute, but a 69th minute strike from Deva Kovalenko reclaimed the lead for the West , 5-4.
Two late goals from Jim Rooney (84’) and Cate (87’) looked certain to give the East a 6-5 win, but Donovan was not done for the West.
In the 92nd minute, Donovan added his name to the score sheet for the fourth time and salvaged a draw for the Western All-Stars. It was the first time in the league’s six year history that the All-Star game ended in a tie.
MLS All-Star Game 2001: July 28, 2001
Spartan Stadium, San Jose, California
MLS Western All-Stars: 6 MLS Eastern All-Stars: 6
MVP: Landon Donovan (WEST)
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