Liga MX stars defeat MLS in All-Star Skills Challenge

LOS ANGELES — Liga MX leaned connected its reigning subordinate of the twelvemonth to decision a radical representing Major League Soccer connected Tuesday nighttime during the archetypal of 2 All-Star competitions betwixt the North American leagues astatine Banc of California Stadium.

Preceding Wednesday’s 25th MLS All-Star Game, the five-stage, made-for-television showcase astatine the location of Los Angeles Football Club came to an extremity erstwhile Uruguayan guardant Jonathan Rodríguez of Cruz Azul deed the crossbar with a changeable from astir 50 yards away.

Clad successful all-yellow uniforms, Rodriguez and his Liga MX teammates celebrated successful beforehand of the eight-man MLS crew, wearing blue, which had aggregate chances to triumph but could not find the onslaught it needed from distance.

“It was precise competitive,” Rodriguez said. “It was a batch of fun. It was surely amusive for the radical who were here.”

The archetypal 4 events of the skills situation yielded 5 points for the broadside that came retired connected top, and 3 for the different group. When 25 points were accrued, the last trial – the longball Rodriguez connected connected – would beryllium determination for the taking.

Unfolding successful beforehand of astir 5,000 spectators, the MLS jumped up 5-3 with a ascendant effort successful the shooting challenge.

LAFC guardant Diego Rossi stepped up archetypal for MLS, and his coagulated commencement was followed by prime rounds from Seattle’s Raul Ruidiaz and Columbus’ Lucas Zelarayán, each of whom deed a moving 20-point people to tally up the score, 140-62.

From the punishment spot Liga MX’s trio of Diego Valdés, Rogelio Funes Mori and Orbelin Pineda missed capable of the 11 fixed targets astir the framework of the extremity – valued astatine two, 5 and 10 points – that the points were awarded earlier MLS took the past of 3 60-second turns.

Liga MX evened the contention to 25 astatine 8 points pursuing the interaction challenge, which tested players’ quality to cod and power balls earlier hitting them with finesse toward a ample operation astatine midfield that resembled the concern extremity of a skeeball machine.

The Liga MX duo of Alexis Canelo and Orbelín Pineda netted 165 points, outdoing MLS’ Ricardo Pepi and Zelarayán, who combined for 136.

Next was the transverse and volley challenge.

A prime opening salvo from Funes Mori against New England goalkeeper Matt Turner was wasted erstwhile Valdés’ subpar effort opened the doorway for the American side.

Ruidiaz, MLS’ starring goal-scorer, was proficient capable successful his opening circular to springiness Pepi, FC Dallas’ 18-year-old attacker, a chance. The youngest subordinate successful MLS past to people a hat-trick did not disappoint, sealing his team’s 105-100 victory.

During Pepi’s turn, Liga MX goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán of Tigres UANL utilized a spot of gamesmanship. Falling to the writer and faking a cramp to interruption up Pepi’s bushed didn’t work, but the determination earned a bonus constituent for the visitors and shaved the MLS pb to 13-12.

“At archetypal I thought it was serious, but helium stood up and was each fine,” Pepi said. “It was comic but it didn’t truly halt my momentum.”

The back-and-forth, less-than-serious contention past moved to the passing challenge.

Rodríguez, Canelo and Funes Mori showcased Liga MX’s quality to present the shot wherever it intended by nailing a assortment of targets 12 times compared to 5 for Rossi, Ruidiaz, Nani and Rodolfo Pizarro.

With Liga MX up 17-16, reaching 25 points rested connected the crossbar challenge.

Four players connected some sides alternated attempts successful beforehand of the lasting supporters’ conception successful the North End of the stadium.

MLS recovered 25 points first, unlocking its accidental astatine finishing Liga MX from adjacent the halfway circle.

Liga MX needed respective much attempts to gain its opportunity, and successful each 7 minutes passed earlier Rodriguez deed the Skills Challenge winner.

“I deliberation we’re expecting a bully Liga MX side,” Pepi said. “We’re prepared for it and we got to instrumentality the triumph tomorrow.”