News

July 24, in the year of our Lord 2012 -- EA SPORTS™ today predicted the MLS All-Stars will be victorious over Chelsea FC in the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game challenge. Utilizing the football engine that will drive FIFA Soccer 13, in development, on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PC, EA SPORTS was able to simulate the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Star Game under the same conditions the teams will face this Wednesday. It was determined that Chelsea FC and the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Stars will end regular time in a 2 - 2 draw but the Major League Soccer side will triumph during penalty kicks at PPL Park in Philadelphia.

The simulation was possible because the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Stars will be an all new unlockable team in FIFA Soccer 13. Fans around the world will be able to access and play with the 2012 AT&T MLS All-Stars through EA SPORTS Football Club (EAS FC) and the new EAS FC Catalogue, which features such game changing rewards as historic kits, special goal celebrations, Virtual Pro Attribute Boosts, and more. By accessing the EAS FC Catalogue, fans who achieve Level 14 will be able to unlock the MLS All-Stars.

Game Simulation Details:

Chelsea FC got out to an early start after newly-signed midfielder, Eden Hazard got them off the mark in the 18th minute with a blast from just outside the 18 yard box. Veteran captain Frank Lampard added a second goal just before the break, and the Blues took a 2-0 lead to half-time. Coming out of the break, the MLS side showed a new energy evident by an initial attack that saw Kyle Beckerman glance a header off the top bar. Closely following Beckerman’s chance, Dwayne De Rosario found a streaking Landon Donovan who slotted home the first MLS goal in the 53rd minute. Nearing the end of a back-and-forth second half filled with chances from both sides, MLS leading goal scorer Chris Wondolowski tied the match in the 88th minute and sent the tilt straight to penalties.

Penalty kicks started with consecutive misses from Eddie Johnson and Ramires, followed by a goal from Beckerman. Chelsea’s second miss came off the boot of Romelu Lukaku, before the MLS side closed out the victory with goals from De Rosario, Wondolowski, and Donavan for a 4–2 win.

Fans across North America and in the United Kingdom will compare this result to the real-world game as it unfolds on Wednesday, July 25. This is the seventh consecutive time an English Premier League club has participated in the MLS All-Star Game, and the second match of its kind played by Chelsea FC.

EA SPORTS has a proven track record of correctly predicting winners using its game engines across all of its simulation sports franchises. EA SPORTS correctly determined that the LA Galaxy would capture the 2011 MLS Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup 2011. It also correctly predicted Chelsea would defeat Liverpool 2-1 to capture this year’s FA Cup. The Madden NFL franchise has correctly predicted seven of the past nine Super Bowl champions.

Scoring Summary:
CHE – Hazard 1 (unassisted) 18’
CHE – Lampard 1 (Torres 1) 43’
MLS – Donovan 1 (De Rosario 1) 53’
MLS – Wondolowski 1 (unassisted) 88’

Penalty-kick shootout
MLS – Johnson (wide)
CHE – Ramires (saved)
MLS – Beckerman (goal)
CHE – Lukaku (high)
MLS – De Rosario (goal)
CHE – Lampard (goal)
MLS – Wondolowski (goal)
CHE – Ivanovic (goal)
MLS – Donovan (goal)