Three days before the MLS All Star Game, Dax McCarty replaced an injured Frank Lampard as a Commissioner's Pick. Despite McCarty arguably deserving to be there from the beginning, McCarty shined. He completed 92.8% of his passes on the night and stopped a few attacks. It was a fun night for the New York Red Bulls captain.
It was a fun game. Obviously two team in separate two halves. You know, I played in the first half, and I thought it was a really competitive game, and I thought it was a lot of fun. I thought we played pretty well, they gave us some trouble, [but] I mean Nick Rimando came up with a couple of very good saves, but we scored 2 really good goals. It was a lot of fun, and an experience I'll never forget.
The All-Star experience was a new one for Dax, who was appearing in his first every game. ""It was pretty unbelievable to be together with all these great players," said McCarty "guys that have been in the league for a long time, and some new guys." It was a unique experience playing with different players for McCarty who isn't accustomed to okaying with new teammates in a matter of days. "You know, soccer is kind of like a universal language, so once you get on the field, so even if you haven't played with a guy for one day, you just get on the field and get to know each other's tendencies and try to play well."
What did Dax think of the team's performance while he was on the field for the first 45 minutes?
I thought the first half was a lot of fun. I thought we played some good soccer. I thought we defended OK, but they're a great team so obviously they broke us down a couple of times and made it difficult for us. The altitude gets you, it's just 45 minutes, but it's tough, it feels like 60 or 70. So overall, the whole experience, truly unbelievable for my first time, one I'll never forget.
Despite the experience of the All-Star game, Dax is ready to get back to New York and rejoin the team. "Yea, I am, I'm looking forward to getting back with the guys. I miss the guys in the locker room, I miss the team. Just want to make sure we get back and get a win."