Goalkeeper’s act of sportsmanship captures spirit of MLS Unified All-Star Game as RSL duo shines

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Matthew Torres had just cut the deficit in half early in the second half of Wednesday’s MLS Special Olympics Unified All-Star Game. Every West player sprinted toward him to celebrate, except one.

Houston Dynamo Unified goalkeeper Matthew Barrette went in the other direction, crossing the field to comfort the East players who had just conceded.

Afterward, when asked why he ran toward the opposing team instead of his own, Barrette didn’t hesitate.

“I wanted to be supportive to everybody,” he said. “I believe that everybody has an equal opportunity to shine and have their moment.

“What really makes me happy is just being here and enjoying one another’s time. It’s about family, working together, spreading the message of inclusion.”

The East eventually held off a spirited West comeback for a 3-2 victory on a sunny morning on the outskirts of Charlotte. 

U.S. Soccer legends Cobi Jones and Marcelo Balboa helped guide the two sides from the sidelines, while former MLS standouts AJ DeLaGarza and Kenny Cooper spent the morning encouraging players. 

In the stands, MLS NEXT All-Stars, including Real Salt Lake academy standouts Easton Wilson, Kellen Poll and Daniel Carmona, watched and cheered as another group of athletes had their own All-Star moment.

For Real Salt Lake, that meant Unified representatives Ben McQueen and Mostafa Saedi.

An All-Star match with All-Star drama

The East struck twice before halftime through Elijah Reid and Ian Benson, while goalkeeper Ben Dorsey preserved the two-goal advantage with a spectacular point-blank save just before the break.

The West responded immediately after halftime.

Matthew Torres split two defenders, disguised his finish and tucked his shot inside the near post to make it 2-1 in the 46th minute.

Moments later, Saedi produced perhaps his biggest play of the afternoon as his relentless pressing directly created the West’s second goal, even if the scoresheet won’t show it.

Closing down an East defender near the penalty spot, the RSL standout forced a turnover and fired a left-footed shot that required an outstanding reflex kick save. The rebound fell directly to an onrushing Torres, who buried his second goal in four minutes to level the match at 2-2. Statistically, Saedi wasn’t credited with an assist because the goalkeeper got a touch.

Everyone watching knew who created the goal.

Charlotte native Karol Diaz eventually gave the East the lead back again in the 84th minute, and Dorsey made two more outstanding saves, including one on Saedi in stoppage time, to preserve the 3-2 victory for the East.

“It’s been my favorite team I’ve ever been on”

McQueen never expected volunteering at Unified tryouts would lead him here.

“I got involved about two years ago, and it’s actually kind of a crazy story,” McQueen said.

“I just went and volunteered at the tryouts. I was only 15 at the time, so I wasn’t even old enough to make the team.

“They ended up needing another player, so they contacted me, and I was thrilled.”

Two years later, he found himself representing Real Salt Lake alongside players from across Major League Soccer.

“It’s been my favorite team I’ve ever been on,” McQueen said. “The experience, the community, it’s all super great.

“I’ve never felt more of a family on any team I’ve been on. Seeing the smiles on everyone and seeing how happy everyone is when we’re on the field, that’s what’s kept me involved.”

Asked what he’d tell someone thinking about becoming a Unified Partner, his answer came quickly.

“Just do it,” McQueen said. “You might be nervous because it’s a new team at first, but get out there. It’ll be a great experience.

“You can never go wrong with being positive and helping people out.”

‘One family’

Saedi nearly authored his own storybook moment with his shot as time expired.

“I really wanted at least one goal to keep as part of my MLS experience,” he said.

Instead, he’ll remember the play that helped ignite the comeback.

“I count that as an assist,” he said with a smile. “I’m still happy with the assist.”

Asked what representing Real Salt Lake meant, without realizing it, Saedi echoed the very sentiment Barrette had shared earlier in the day.

“It means a lot to me,” Saedi said. “Wearing RSL, being the team, one family, it means a lot to me.”

And his favorite part of playing Unified soccer?

“We came like one family,” he said, pointing at both teams. “It’s not just a team. We came as one family.”

Chosen to lead

RSL Unified head coach Jenna Holland said those qualities are exactly what RSL values when selecting its Unified All-Stars.

The coaching staff watched RSL’s matches against Dallas and Colorado before choosing the club’s representatives.

“We picked those that were team leaders, that hyped up the team, that supported the team, that encouraged the team,” Holland said.

“That’s how they got picked. They showed up, represented and did us proud.”

Wednesday morning showed exactly why the Unified All-Star Game has become a highlight of MLS All-Star Week.

The goals were memorable.

The comeback was entertaining.

But the lasting image wasn’t a finish into the corner or a spectacular save.

It was Houston Dynamo Unified goalkeeper Matthew Barrette walking away from his own team’s celebration to remind the opponents they belonged there too.

How to watch the MLS All-Star Game

What: MLS All-Stars vs. Liga MX All-Stars

When: Wednesday, 6 p.m. MT

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC 

TV: Apple TV