The story unfolded as scripted. Team USA defeated the MLL All-Stars in front of 11,771 patriotically primed fans at Harvard Stadium. Norman Rockwell could not have staged a more colorful scene. Team USA was etched in the foreground like a Rushmore facade of proud stormtroopers. Their notable adversaries, the MLL All-Stars, were swathed in limited edition urban camo and detailed in car show quality chrome, which every mohawked tweener noted for his holiday wish list. Of the 200 applicants to tryout for US Men’s Team, only 84 were asked to tryout, of which 13 were on the MLL All-Star Team. From the group of 84, only 40 advanced to the Training Squad level. The final roster slimmed down to 23 and left 17 casualties, of those 17, six were on the MLL All-Star Team. The math wasn’t complicated. There was more at a stake than a friendly FIL World Championship prelude.

True competitors cannot mask their nature - a maxim embodied in the MLL-All Stars. That was a good and practical thing for Team USA. The US offense was battle-tested and held scoreless for the first 17 minutes of regulation by a savvy zone defense. The US offense demonstrated good ball movement, but the MLL All-Stars read the lanes well and came up with several interceptions. MLL All-Star Matt Bocklet picked off several passes and was instrumental off several clears. The US offense will have time on their side next week, with the variable of the shot clock removed; the attack should be able to finalize a bankable rhythm and flow. Bud Light MVP Brendan Mundorf led the attack with six goals. Fastest shot winner Paul Rabil was unable to score, but the topside dodge that initiates the offense should be able to crack open the defenses of softer teams. There was no shortage of high quality goalies, but one reigned supreme. US Goalie Brian Dougherty was as dynamic as ever between the pipes commanding his defensive slides and sending on point clears with air and power nearly seventy yards downfield.

The first period was a little rough for both teams. Both squads bobbled the ball and traded possession, but it was the MLL team that got several early and good licks at the cage. All-Star team hit pipe off their first shot and forced Dougherty to save the second. MLL All-Star and US Team alternate, Kevin Leveille, was the first to score off a feed from Chris Rotelli at 6:36. Dan Hardy used his side off the topside with a stickside pipe shot at 10:39 (2-0).

Team USA rallied and came alive in the second period outscoring the MLL All-Stars 5-1. Team USA’s Ryan Boyle scored off the grounder and dodged lefty in tight at 2:38 (1-2). Boyle got the equalizer two minutes later (2-2) off a dump on the crease. Fastest shot finalist and Team US middie Max Siebald put the US ahead with a sidearm rip at 7:06 (3-2). The MLL responded with a far side pipe goal from Peet Poillon over Dougherty’s shoulder (3-3). Team US attackman Brendan Mundorf got his first taste of the mesh at 14:20 off a feed from Drew Westervelt. Mundorf and Westervelt combined less than 30 seconds later for another goal. Mundorf fired a lefty sidearm past MLL All-Star keeper Chris Garrity (5-3).

The third period was the most prolific one. It also belonged to the MLL All-Stars who outscored Team USA 6-3. Mundorf made it a hat trick at 1:53 (7-3). The MLL roared back with six-consecutive goals going up 9-7: Stephen Berger (1), Matt Danowski (2), Anthony Kelly (1) from Matt Abbott, Kevin Leveille (1) from Danny Glading, and Peet Poillon (1). Berger initiated the launch sequence with a back-handed righty pipe dive (4-7). Glading got the BTB to Leveille who finished with a low shot (5-7). Team USA’s Matt Zash and Brendan Mundorf wrapped up the shooting in the third.

The MLL All-Stars had the slim 9-8 lead going into the fourth quarter, but it was Team USA that prevailed outscoring the All-Stars 5-3. Mundorf struck again shooting across his body (9-9). Canadian defensemen Brodie Merrill got an early look at the competition and also found the back of the net at 3:04 unassisted. MLL All-Stars Kelly and Poskay also scored giving their team a 12-9 lead with eight and half minutes left. Team USA surged with a four-goal spree to take the contest 13-12. Ryan Powell notched a pair of goals. Seibald and Mundorf each added a goal. It was Seibald’s goal at 11:37 that put the US within one. Mundorf, the game’s finisher, racked the equalizer. Team Captain Ryan Powell scored the game winner. Powell took the ball to cage hard and shot pasta frustrated Jesse Schwartzman. The US prevailed 13-12. Team USA will travel to Manchester where they will meet Team Australia on July 16th.