In Wednesday’s MLS All-Star game — possibly Thierry Henry’s last — the French star was all class, while Pep Guardiola showed no class.
The MLS All-Stars pulled off a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Bundesliga power Bayern Munich in Portland, Ore., with Guardiola refusing to shake hands with all-star coach Caleb Porter or his staff afterwards, vexed over some tough tackles.
“I did not shake hands with the MLS All-Star coaching staff because I did not see them,’’ Guardiola told reporters. Plausible deniabilty doesn’t work when TV cameras showed the Bayern Munich coach giving Porter a Dikembe Mutombo-style finger wave, but that was Guardiola’s story and he is sticking to it, refusing to discuss the incident in postgame interviews.
Guardiola was angry over tackles by Will Johnson and Osvaldo Alonso, both of which were hard, borderline reckless and unneeded in a friendly. But he came off as petulant in blaming the Portland Timbers coach, who not only wasn’t out on the field but doesn’t coach Alonso in MLS, the latter playing for rival Seattle.
“I saw Pep towards the end of the game saying something or looking at Caleb towards the end of the match. My personal opinion is things happen on the field: It’s part of the match,’’ Landon Donovan said on ESPN after scoring the winning goal. “I understand he doesn’t want his players to get hurt. I just saw the two tackles. They’re not great tackles, but they’re not the worst tackles I’ve ever seen.
“I hope [Bastian Schweinsteiger] isn’t hurt; that would not be good. But the game’s played that way. The game’s played hard. I’m not sure why they’re going after the officials. I don’t know if you want to throw guys off; it’s an exhibition game. It’s too bad, and you don’t want to stain the game with something like that. I wish we could’ve all shook hands and got on with it.’’
Henry tried to play peacemaker, joking with Guardiola after the match.
“I didn’t say anything,’’ Henry said. “All the best.’’
When asked if the all-stars had played too rough, Guardiola shrugged that it didn’t matter and congratulated them, but added that he learned from the game and hopes for “revenge,” and “will be waiting for the invitation [next year].’’
It remains to be seen if Henry will be around should there be a testy rematch, with Red Bulls Gerard Houllier telling the Post and BigAppleSoccer.com that he thought Henry — who turns 37 this month — plans to retire at the end of the season.
“Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet,’’ Henry said, when reporters asked about his future plans.
But the sellout crowd in Portland sure reacted like he was retiring when the French icon gave way to Donovan in the 47th minute, serenading him with a long standing ovation.
“It was great. Their fans are just outstanding,” Henry said. “The reception was great when I came out. I didn’t expect that, but I will always remember this day.’’
Though Henry was out of the game by the time the All-Stars rallied — a 51st-minute goal by Red Bull teammate Bradley Wright-Phillips, and Donovan’s 70th- minute winner — Henry was the best player on the field for either team in the first half, exchanging well with Clint Dempsey and then almost scoring on a long-range volley.
“None of us know his future, but I thought he deserved that tribute,’’ Porter said.
“Thierry Henry has been an icon both on and off the park,’’ added Tim Cahill, the third Red Bull on the All-Star team.