MLS All-Star Game: Pep Guardiola Eventually Shakes Caleb Porter's Hand
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MLS News
Wednesday, 06 August 2014 23:35

This year's version of the MLS All-Star Game offered some great sport on the field, but it will be overshadowed by Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola's snub of a post-game handshake from Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter.

Guardiola's anger centers around a reckless challenge from Seattle's Osvaldo Alonso on Bayern's Xherdan Shaqiri. Indeed, the tackle came in with a lot of pace from behind and was extreme for a preseason match.

Alonso was given a yellow card for the offense.

When Porter offered his hand to congratulate his opponent, Guardiola and his staff refused to engage the Portland manager.

Guardiola repeatedly refused to discuss why he wouldn't shake Porter's hand before eventually saying that he "didn't see him", as reported by Goal.com.

Guardiola did mention that he wanted to come back and play the MLS All-Stars again next year in a "revenge" game, to which Porter responded that he was glad that he wouldn't coach the team next season.

#MLSAllStar: Caleb Porter's comment on Guardiola wanting a rematch: "Good! I won't be the coach next year!" @MLS http://t.co/SRsf9tE1e6

— Soccerly (@soccerly) August 7, 2014

ESPN's Alexi Lalas made a fantastic point at the conclusion of the match, that if you're going to get mad about rough play, then don't take the money to show up for a preseason match, something he states in the video provided.

To get mad at Porter was a display to everyone watching that he was displeased.

For those crying foul with regard to sportsmanship, I would actually be sincerely offended if Guardiola was mad that he didn't win, but that's not why he's mad.

Finally, U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati took to Twitter and put a happy ending to this story.

All good with Pep Guardiola and Caleb Porter. With them for nice handshake outside the locker room after the game. #MLSAllStar

— Sunil Gulati (@sunilgulati) August 7, 2014

That's good, especially for Porter who looked up to Guardiola as a huge inspiration.

So in the end, the whole thing functioned as a great storyline element for next year's game, as well as words that may transpire between Porter and Guardiola or the American and German press in general.

There's only one thing that's certain tonight: The MLS won the All-Star Game, beating European giants Bayern Munich.

Follow Dan Irwin on Twitter @irwinsports or on Facebook.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

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