MLS vs Liga MX All-Stars result: Carlos Vela scores to give MLSers another win over rivals

Abraham Smith

MLS racked up its latest win over its Liga MX rivals after a 2-1 All-Star Game triumph at Allianz Field in Minnesota.

The MLS All-Stars found the back of the net after just three minutes, with Carlos Vela heading home a cross from his LAFC teammate Diego Palacios. Seattle forward Raul Ruidiaz buried a penalty with 17 minutes remaining to give MLS a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Liga MX created the bulk of opportunities throughout the match — the visitors outshot the MLS All-Stars 20-5 — but they only found the back of the net with six minutes remaining on a blast from right back Kevin Alvarez. Moments later, Liga MX had a shout for a penalty on a DeAndre Yedlin hand ball, but the officials, including the VAR, did not call it.

The MLS goalkeepers — all three were used in the match — each had to make important stops to thwart Liga MX, and it was the Minnesota-based Dayne St. Clair who was named the All-Star Game MVP. Liga MX forwards Juan Dinenno, German Berterame, Luis Quinones, and Julio Furch all had decent looks, but they could not convert. 

It was the second straight year that the best players from both leagues faced off in an All-Star Game. MLS won the 2021 edition on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.

MLS continues to enjoy a stretch of positive results against its rivals. In addition to the two All-Star Games, MLS’s Columbus Crew beat Cruz Azul in the 2021 Campeones Cup between league champions, and the Seattle Sounders earlier this year became the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League, knocking off a Mexican opponent in the process. 

MORE: FIFA World Cup schedule with all the matchups, dates and times

Will MLS vs. Liga MX be back?

After two straight years of MLS and Liga MX going head-to-head in an All-Star Game, it’s not clear that the format will return for the 2023 All-Star Game, which will be played in Washington, D.C.

Univision’s Michele Giannone reported that there were no plans for a third installment of the MLS vs. Liga MX event. And MLS Commissioner Don Garber was asked about it during a halftime interview with ESPN and was noncommittal, indicating that the two leagues were focused on a successful launch of the expanded Leagues Cup tournament involving every club from both MLS and Liga MX.

“You’re going to see the launch of [Leagues Cup] in 2023. It’s going to be transcending whatever anyone ever expected. I’m not sure we need that for our All-Star Game. You’ve got Campeones Cup [match between both leagues’ champions] coming up this September in New York City. So we’ll see what next year in Washington, D.C. looks like when D.C. United hosts. But I’m not quite sure.”

Vela-Chicharito connection doesn’t materialize

There was plenty of hype entering the match around Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Carlos Vela playing their first match together since the 2018 World Cup with Mexico. But we didn’t see the fireworks that many expected, and there were no special combinations between the two. Chicharito, who captained the MLS side, was not a factor in the match in his 30 minutes on the field.

The forwards were not helped by the fact that Liga MX was exerting pressure, causing turnovers, and generally controlling the match in the first half. The MLS players could never quite get in a groove.

The MLS team looked slightly better in the second half with the introduction of Carles Gil and Lucho Acosta. Gil won the penalty after a Mexican defender made clear contact with him in the box, and prior to that the MLS team also scored a goal that was scratched for a clear offside. But it was generally far from the electric attacking display that fans may have been seeking with all the MLS talent on the field.

Liga MX played with an edge

The result shows Liga MX on the losing side of the scoreline, but the volume of positive attacking play from the team arguably deserved a better outcome. Fernando “Nene” Beltran played well and pulled the strings from midfield in the first half, and German Berterame was dangerous in the second. The right back in each half — Juan Escobar and Kevin Alvarez — pushed up often and left their mark in the attack.

Liga MX also chased the ball hard to win it back. Midfielder Guido Pizarro was getting stuck in and dished out a few hard-nosed challenges. Forward Juan Dinenno was also aggressive, though on one play he rolled the ankle of Darlington Nagbe in a tackle from behind that you don’t typically see in these matches. The Columbus Crew midfielder recovered and played on until halftime.

Judging by the way they protested the penalty decision in favor of MLS, this was not just a run-of-the-mill exhibition for the Liga MX players.

MLS vs Liga MX final score

  1H 2H Final
MLS All-Stars 1 1 2
Liga MX All-Stars 0 1 1

Goals:
MLS — Carlos Vela (Diego Palacios) — 3rd min.
MLS — Raul Ruidiaz (penalty) — 73rd min.
LMX — Kevin Alvarez — 84th min.

MLS lineups:

1st Half (4-3-3, right to left): Andre Blake (Dayne St. Clair 32′) — Julian Araujo, Walker Zimmerman, Kamal Miller, Diego Palacios — Emanuel Reynoso, Darlington Nagbe, Sebastian Driussi (Hany Mukhtar 32′) — Carlos Vela (Paul Arriola 32′), Chicharito Hernandez, Jordan Morris

2nd Half (4-3-3, right to left): Dayne St. Clair  (Sean Johnson 61′) — DeAndre Yedlin, Jakob Glesnes, Aaron Long, Kai Wagner — Carles Gil, lie Sanchez, Hany Mukhtar (Lucho Acosta 61′) — Paul Arriola (Taxi Fountas 61′), Brandon Vazquez (Raul Ruidiaz 61′), Jesus Ferreira

Liga MX lineups:

1st Half (4-3-3, right to left): Camilo Vargas (Oscar Ustari 32′) — Juan Escobar, Lisandro Lopez, Hugo Nervo, Brayan Angulo — Guido Pizarro, Fernando “Nene” Beltran, Aviles Hurtado — Luis Quinones, Julio Furch (Juan Dinenno 32′), Julian Quinones

2nd Half (4-3-3, right to left): Oscar Ustari (Carlos Acevedo 61′) — Kevin Alvarez, Gustavo Cabral, Jesus Angulo, Luis Reyes — Luis Chavez, German Berterame, Erik Lira (Victor Guzman 80′) — Uriel Antuna, Juan Dinenno (Alvaro Fidalgo 61′), Alexis Vega

MLS vs. Liga MX live updates, highlights from All-Star Game

Final: MLS 2, Liga MX 1

84th min.: It looked like Liga MX had a shout for a penalty! A German Berterame header is blocked by DeAndre Yedlin’s hand and he made himself bigger to nick that ball. The VAR does not step in and Liga MX will feel hard done by after they see that replay.

84th min.: What a goal by Kevin Alvarez for Liga MX! The right back took a crack and found the far side netting to beat Sean Johnson. The Mexican fans come to life.

78th min.: Liga MX’s Luis Chavez puts the ball on his wicked left foot, but his stinging shot is topped by MLS goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

73rd min.: Raul Ruidiaz buries the penalty. It’s 2-0 MLS.

71st min.: Penalty for MLS! The referee (Joseph Dickerson, an MLS referee) points to the spot after a clumsy challenge from Jesus Angulo on Carles Gil in the box. The contact was obvious, but the Liga MX players are adamant it was not a penalty.

61st min.: Subs on both sides come into the game (lineups above). With Alvaro Fidalgo in the game for Liga MX, German Berterame can move higher up the field.

59th min.: Juan Dinenno comes close for Liga MX! He takes a one-time shot on a through ball and misses the target.

55th min.: MLS scores through Paul Arriola but the goal is waved off for an offside in the buildup. Replays confirm that Brandon Vazquez was off.

A fan runs onto the pitch in the aftermath of that play:

53rd min.: German Berterame is active early for the Liga MX side. He fires a shot that comes close and gives the illusion of a goal. Several Liga MX fans in the crowd were celebrating a goal. Not quite.

46th min.: Second half is underway with eight subs for MLS and nine subs for the Liga MX side (lineups above below scoreboard).

Halftime: MLS 1, Liga MX 0

Halftime: MLS strikes first in the 3rd minute through Carlos Vela, and the early goal strangely took them out of the game. It was all Liga MX from that point forward as the visitors took advantage of multiple turnovers and dominated the midfield. But solid goalkeeping from Andre Blake and then his substitute Dayne St. Clair kept Liga MX off the board. The Liga MX team was a tad more balanced than their MLS counterparts and it showed.

We really didn’t get to see that Carlos Vela-Javier Hernandez connection and the MLS players haven’t really put on a show outside of those early minutes. The lowlight of the half was the Juan Dinenno tackle on MLS’s Darlington Nagbe which led to a stomach-turning ankle turn. No need for tackles from behind in this game.

44th min.: What a save by MLS ‘keeper Dayne St. Clair! A Dinenno header destined for the far post is parried away. Big stop just before halftime, and Liga MX is still creating all the chances here.

37th min.: Nasty tackle from behind by newly entered Juan Dinenno on Darlington Nagbe and the Columbus Crew midfielder turns his ankle. He takes a while to get up, but he resumes play.

32nd min.: Seconds after this Nene Beltran attempt on target by Liga MX, there are five substitutions in the match (lineups above below scoreboard).

26th min.: Liga MX’s Luis Quinones blasts a left-footed shot from the top of the box that goalkeeper Andre Blake parries away for a corner. It’s been all Liga MX in the last 15 minutes.

21st min.: Liga MX’s right back, Juan Escobar, races into the attack again and he nearly reaches the end line before sending a ball fizzing across the face of the MLS goal. Cruz Azul’s Paraguayan has been the most dangerous player for Liga MX.

17th min.: How you know it’s an All-Star Game: Center back Kamal Miller lets fly aiming for the top left corner. He misses, but the smile on his face was worth it.

12th min.: Best chance of the game for Liga MX. A Juan Escobar cross from the right and Julio Furch heads the ball on the bounce and just over the bar. The Atlas forward was free on that header.

11th min.: MLS came close again! Emanuel “Bebelo” Reynoso with a fake and cross, and Kamal Miller nearly heads home at the far post.

3rd min.: Goal MLS! Diego Palacios dances around a defender and whips in a beautiful cross that Carlos Vela heads home. Beautiful all-around play. The two LAFC teammates connect.

1st min.: We’re off. MLS players in dark jersey and Liga MX in white. There is VAR at this match tonight.

2 mins from kickoff: Two beautiful renditions of the Mexican and American national anthems. We’re moments away.

5 mins from kickoff: Teams are on the field for the pregame ceremonies. Part of those ceremonies is a Minnesota United loon making the rounds:

10 mins from kickoff: Worth noting that the MLS starting lineup has more Mexican players (Araujo, Chicharito, Vela) than the Liga MX starting XI (Brayan Angulo, Fernando Beltran).

17 mins from kickoff: The official kickoff is taking place at 48 after the hour.

40 mins from kickoff: Enjoy this All-Star Game because it might be the last one for a bit. According to Univision’s Michele Giannone, there are no plans (for now) to return to this format for next year’s All-Star Game in DC.

60 mins from kickoff: We have the starting lineups:

80 mins from kickoff: MLS players arriving at Allianz Field in Minnesota.

120 mins from kickoff: It might be an All-Star Game, but the competitive juices are always flowing. These players hate to lose to the other team:

MORE: Revisit the first MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star matchup

MLS vs. Liga MX lineups

Starting lineups will be unveiled an hour before kickoff, and the expectation is that both sides will field entirely new XIs for the second half.

MLS starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 18-Andre Blake (GK) — 4-Julian Araujo, 25-Walker Zimmerman, 3-Kamal Miller, 12-Diego Palacios — 16-Emanuel Reynoso, 6-Darlington Nagbe, 7-Sebastian Driussi — 11-Carlos Vela, 14-Chicharito Hernandez, 13-Jordan Morris

As for the MLS side, fans will be eager to see Chicharito Hernandez and Carlos Vela team up together for the first time since the 2018 World Cup when both played for Mexico’s national team. Here’s the list of 26 players that Minnesota United manager Adrian Heath will choose from to complement them:

MLS All-Star Roster

No. Player Pos. Club
18 Andre Blake GK Philadelphia Union
1 Sean Johnson GK NYCFC
97 Dayne St. Clair GK Minnesota United
4 Julian Araujo DF LA Galaxy
23 Jakob Glesnes DF Philadelphia Union
33 Aaron Long DF NY Red Bulls
3 Kamal Miller DF CF Montreal
12 Diego Palacios DF LAFC
27 Kai Wagner DF Philadelphia Union
2 DeAndre Yedlin DF Inter Miami CF
25 Walker Zimmerman DF Nashville SC
32 Luciano Acosta MF FC Cincinnati
7 Sebastian Driussi MF Austin FC
10 Carles Gil MF New England Revolution
95 Hany Mukhtar MF Nashville SC
6 Darlington Nagbe MF Columbus Crew
16 Emanuel Reynoso MF Minnesota United
8 Ilie Sanchez MF LAFC
17 Paul Arriola FW FC Dallas
20 Jesus Ferreira FW FC Dallas
5 Taxi Fountas FW D.C. United
14 Chicharito Hernandez FW LA Galaxy
13 Jordan Morris FW Seattle Sounders
9 Raul Ruidiaz FW Seattle Sounders
11 Carlos Vela FW LAFC
19 Brandon Vazquez FW FC Cincinnati

The Liga MX side will be coached by Atlas manager Diego Cocca, who has six players from his championship side at his disposal. He has a 27-man roster made up of a combination of candidates for the Balon de Oro league awards, as well as players he handpicked. Goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo was a selection of the Liga MX president as a type of commissioner’s pick similar to what is seen in other All-Star Games around pro sports.

Liga MX starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 12-Camilo Vargas (GK) — 21-Juan Escobar, 4-Lisandro Lopez, 3-Hugo Nervo, 16-Brayan Angulo — 19-Guido Pizarro, 20-Fernando “Nene” Beltran, 11-Aviles Hurtado — 23-Luis Quinones, 9-Julio Furch, 33-Julian Quinones

Liga MX All-Star Roster

No. Player Pos. Club
1 Carlos Acevedo GK Santos Laguna
5 Oscar Ustari GK Pachuca
12 Camilo Vargas GK Atlas
2 Kevin Alvarez DF Pachuca
16 Brayan Angulo DF Toluca
27 Jesus Angulo DF Tigres UANL
22 Gustavo Cabral DF Pachuca
21 Juan Escobar DF Cruz Azul
4 Lisandro Lopez DF Club Tijuana
3 Hugo Nervo DF Atlas
14 Luis Reyes DF Atlas
20 Fernando Beltran MF Chivas
24 Luis Chavez MF Pachuca
8 Alvaro Fidalgo MF Club America
11 Aviles Hurtado MF Pachuca
6 Erik Lira MF Cruz Azul
19 Guido Pizarro MF Tigres UANL
33 Julian Quinones MF Atlas
26 Aldo Rocha MF Atlas
10 Alexis Vega MF Chivas
18 Uriel Antuna FW Cruz Azul
7 German Berterame FW Monterrey
15 Juan Dinenno FW Pumas UNAM
9 Julio Furch FW Atlas
13 Victor Guzman FW Pachuca
17 Heriberto Jurado FW Necaxa
23 Luis Quinones FW Tigres UANL

MLS vs. Liga MX TV channel, live stream

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date Thur, Aug. 11 Wed, Aug. 10 Wed, Aug. 10 Thu, Aug. 11
Time 01:30 BST 20:30 ET 20:30 ET 10:30 AEST
TV channel Sky Sports Football, Sky Main Event ESPN, Univision, TUDN TSN4, TVA Sports  _
Streaming Sky GO, NOW TV fuboTV TSN app, TSN.ca Kayo

USA: ESPN and Univision networks will air the match with those channels available to stream on fuboTV. 

UK: The MLS All-Star Game will be televised and streamed in the UK on Sky Sports.

Canada: In Canada, the match will be carried on TSN platforms in English, and on TVA Sports in French.

Australia: The MLS All-Star Game can be streamed in Australia via Kayo, who will be broadcasting ESPN’s coverage of the match. 

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