in Australia "dispelled some of the gloom hanging over the local game"; while Socceroos coach Rudi Gutendorf predicted the "beginning of a new era in Australian soccer...many people will come again to see us". In this context, it is worth asking whether exhibition matches like these increase or diminish the credibility of the A-League. Should we appease those who suffer the cultural cringe ? There is nothing wrong with A-League club sides organising pre-season fixtures with overseas clubs. However, to pit an A-League All Stars XI against an established club side smacks of desperation, and cheapens the image of the competition. Do we really want to see players from rival clubs lining up in a Harlem Globetrotters style arrangement? Football fans will welcome the return of Manchester United to Australia. But, for the sake of the A-League, let them play against Sydney FC or Western Sydney Wanderers. Gimmicks and exhibition matches are below Australian football and should remain a thing of the past. The Crowd Says (86) | Page 1 of Comments Sorry disagree there Joe. The MLS allstars play a big european team every year and its very successful. An A-league all star team would be awesome to watch, del piero, Heskey, Berisha, Flores, Miller, Rogic, Broich to choose from etc I certainly would watch. An A-league team versus barcelona or someone would just be a case of the a-league team being in damage control the whole game. The allstar concept would also give young aussie players a better