Marta XI, behind Marta, wins WPS All-Star game

Before the WPS 2010 All-Star game, Hope Solo needed only to look at her loose Abby XI teammates and pencil in a win.

“I hate to say this,” she said coyly to her opposing captain, “but Marta, your team is too serious.”

Marta Vieira da Silva (commonly known to soccer fans by her first name) may have looked more serious -- but after a few minutes into Wednesday's game she was having more fun.

Marta opened the game with two goals within two minutes of each other, while Solo wore a look of disbelief from her goalie box.

But it was not only believable -- it was expected.

While Marta XI defeated Abby XI 5-2, Marta proved again that she is the most dangerous striker in not only the young WPS, but also in women’s soccer.

She was only one player in a KSU Soccer Stadium filled with nine Olympic medalists and 17 former or current national-team players in the second WPS All-Star game ever held. She also was one of six scorers.

“I think we gave the fans what they came for, to have fun and enjoy the game,” Marta said through an interpreter.

“When you have the top players in the world, it’s easy to play .”

The rosters of the All-Star game were selected in a pick’em selection that took place Monday evening.

And Abby XI coach Paul Riley had no complaints or trade proposals for his team.

“These are the two best teams in the world,” he said. “I would love to go into the World Cup with this team.”

He had only one qualm, however.

“Maybe with one more defender,” he said. “We could do with one more defender.”

With both teams implementing a three-back system, defense was intended to be scarce. Advertised as a showcase of individual brilliance, the All-Star game delivered.

An animated crowd of 4,610 -- using a few vuvuzelas --  gathered to cheer on teams that included seven starting Beat players. The team took to the field, the first stadium in the world built specifically for a women's soccer team, with fanfare as nine flags served as a backdrop to their entrance.

"It's unmatched," said Marta XI coach Albertin Montoya. "I mean, I got lost in here. Unbelievable. It's the perfect venue for women's soccer."

Cheers erupted from an audience that included a diverse range of fans from the young and pony-tailed to the aged and bald.

As the game began, the usual suspect struck first. And second.

Marta scored within the first seven minutes of the game after receiving an assist by Kelly Smith. Two minutes later she scored again, evading defender Amy Lepeilbet with fancy footwork and sending an impressive shot past the near post.

After Marta’s two goals, Allison Falk took a short-range shot that bounced off Solo in front of the net. Forward Christine Sinclair quickly darted in and poked the loose ball into the corner in the 31st minute.

"When we came in, I told the players, ‘Look, there is only one ball,'" Montoya said. "‘Share it, and magic will happen.'"

Minutes later, Abby XI finally found the back of the net after failing to convert on numerous chances.

Eniola Aluko scored off a headed assist from Abby Wambach about 18 minutes into the game to cut the lead to 3-1 in the 35th minute.

In the second half, both teams traded looks on goal and wild shots before finally finding the back of the net.

Midfielder Aya Miyami, of the Beat, tallied Marta XI's fourth goal when she fired a shot from the top of the box past Jillian Loyden.

With 12 minutes remaining, the teams traded goals. Lauren Cheney scored on a header off a pass from Heather O’Reilly with 12 minutes remaining. On the counterattack two minutes later, Marta XI's Amy Rodriguez fired a long-range shot to push the lead back to three.