MLS bests Liga MX 2-1 in 2022 MLS All-Star Game

Vela and Ruídiaz scored as MLS beat Liga MX for the 2nd year running

MLS continues to make the case that it’s catching up to Liga MX, with the latest chapter being a 2-1 win in the 2022 MLS All-Star Game.

The All-Star Game obviously means less than the Seattle Sounders taking the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, ending over a decade of Mexican dominance, or the U.S. men’s national team having the better head-to-head record in World Cup qualifying, but both teams did appear to play with more intensity than your average mid-season showcase tends to have.

Within the first 150 seconds, MLS had survived a VAR check for a handball, and then took the lead. After a VAR check cleared Walker Zimmerman of any wrongdoing, MLS went up to the other end, where LAFC star Carlos Vela nodded home a cross from his club teammate Diego Palacios.

Liga MX certainly had more control of the game, but Columbus Crew fans were given a serious worry after Darlington Nagbe was caught by a bad tackle from Pumas UNAM forward Juan Dinenno. It was a potential disaster for an exhibition scheduled mid-week, but fortunately Nagbe was able to play on.

Minnesota United’s Dayne St. Clair gave home fans a reason to cheer with a fine diving save to preserve MLS’s lead just before halftime, denying the busy Dinenno as Liga MX’s high pressing caused MLS fits.

MLS managed to regain their feet a bit in the second half, and a few mintues after Paul Arriola had a goal called back for offside, Sounders striker Raul Ruídiaz fired home from the spot in the 73rd minute.

However, an absolute bomb from Pachuca defender Kevin Álvarezin the 85th minute brought the game back to life, and MLS managed to get through a fairly convincing penalty kick shout from the Liga MX side after a collision in the box arguably contained both a trip and a handball from Inter Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin.

Check out the All-Star Game’s goals

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