Fans in Foxboro, Massachusetts paid for a match between two very good teams with international followings, and hoped that though it was an exhibition, both sides would put on a show. Those fans were well-rewarded as AC Milan showcased their style and class, gliding to a comprehensive 3-1 victory over CD Olimpia at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night. The match was the first half of a soccer doubleheader at the Razor, with the New England Revolution set to take on Sporting Kansas City an hour or so after the final whistle.
Olimpia looked sharp, but it was Milan's game from the opening whistle, and indeed it was Milan who scored the first goal. Antonio Nocerino flicked a pass to Robinho in midfield, who dazzled both the crowd and his marker with some stepovers before firing a low left-footed shot to the bottom corner to put the Rossoneri ahead in the 24th minute.
Nocerino perhaps should have doubled the advantage in the 26th minute when he received a lateral pass at the top of the box from Robinho, but the midfielder's low shot was saved well by Honduran international goalkeeper Noel Valladares.
Nocerino didn't miss on his second opportunity, though, firing Milan to a 2-0 lead in the 37th minute. Antonio Cassano received the ball wide on the left and played a long, looping cross that Robinho headed back across the face of goal from the far post. Nocerino was waiting, and he buried his chance.
The Italian international turned his singe goal into a brace in the 43rd minute after Robinho set up Ignazio Abate on goal. The fullback was stymied by Valladares, but recovered in time to play a low cross into the six-yard box that Nocerino simply tapped in.
As the second half began and the inevitable mass of substitutions started to take their toll, Olimpia stole a chance to save some pride in the 72nd minute. Fullback Brayan Beckeles crossed to substitute Jose Escalante, who drilled his header home to save the blushes of Honduran fans in the crowd.
For more coverage, visit our Revolution blog, The Bent Musket, our soccer hub, and the AC Milan Offside.