MLS All Stars vs Liga MX All Stars live online: scores, stats and updates
It was two years in the making, but worth the wait. The MLS All Stars finally got a chance to host the Liga MX’s best in Banc of California Stadium, and it was the home side who took the bragging rights after outlasting the Mexican side in penalties. Goalkeeper Matt Turner was named the MVP of the match for his penalty heroics.
MLS vs Liga MX, finally
The much anticipated match day finally arrived after over a year of waiting. Two countries with a deep seeded soccer rivalry on the international scene got to transcend that rivalry to the club level as each domestic leagues best players squared off in Los Angeles.
Covid delayed the match that was originally scheduled for 13 months ago. The MLS changed format of their All Star Break after 15 years of inviting European clubs to take on the top talent in the United States. The idea was to bring the US and Mexian leagues together while testing the talent and adding to the sporting rivalry between both countries.
Supporters of both leagues at Banc of California Stadium
There was a beautiful arrangement of red white and blue, and “El Tri” scattered throughout the stands in Banc of California Stadium, and fans from both sides were treated to a fantastic 90 minutes, plus penalties.
The intensity was there from the start. You could tell even before the match started that both teams were playing for pride. The MLS is like the kid brother the Liga MX. It has always lagged behind in quality, but in recent years the two leagues have begun to level out with the MLS getting more and more competitive.
Pride on the line at the All Star game
In the lead up interviews over the past week players talked about how important winning this game would be. Most All Star games provide a spectacle, but are only played at about half throttle. But the bitterness there is, in soccer terms at least, between the two countries made it inevitable that this would just be another friendly. Add the fact that the MLS hasn't won an All Star game since 2015, and that just fueled the fire.
From the start it was evident that the intensity and fire to win was infused in each of the sides. There was no one pulling out of challenges, there were no easily taken 50/50 balls, there was a yellow card or two handed out to each team and in the end penalties were needed to decide a winner.
MLS died down after quick start
In the opening minutes it was the MLS All Stars who had the chance to draw first blood. Hometown hero Diego Rossi sprung in on goal after a fortunate deflection off of a defender. Rossi did well to control the bouncing ball and caressed a delicate flick over Guillermo Ochoa, but Jorge Sanchez was able to make a goal line clearance to keep the hosts off the board.
Gustavo Bou had a few half chances in the opening quarter of an hour, but then Liga MX got their hold on the game and of possession and let their class shine through. It took 20 minutes to get the games first goal, when Sanchez would Jonathan Rodriguez on a diagonal ball into the box. Rodriguez chested it down and calmly tucked it through a bushel of black shirts for the opener.
Gimenez could have doubled the lead, twice
The MLS was lucky to go to the halftime break down just a goal, after Santiago Gimenez had not one, but two chance at goal. The first was a break where he found himself one vs. one with keeper Andre Blake. Blake met him a step inside the area, went to ground and secured the ball before Gimenez could shuffle to the side. He would have another chance to double the lead, but Gimenez didn’t get enough curl on a left footed effort inside the box that went screaming past the post.
Liga MX swapped 10 men at the break
It was the All Star game so unlimited substitutions were allowed, but Liga MX seemed to lose a bit of momentum when they swapped all 10 field players to start the second half. Bob Bradley made a few swaps as well, as guys like Damir Kreilach and Cade Cowell came in a made a difference in the first quarter of an hour of the second half.
Jesus Murillo equalized with a smashing header off a corner kick served up from Eduard Atuesta. The MLS side was knocking on the door and the Colombian broke it open in the 53rd minutes.
There were chances for both side to take the lead in the final half hour. First it was Alexis Vega who found himself in prime position to have a go at goal after a terrible touch from an MLS defender. His effort was sent inches wide of target after being deflected by Miles Robinson. Then 18 year old Ricardo Pepi rocketed a shot from long distance which was spilled by the keeper and eventually the rebound from Pepi sailed over the bar.
Being a friendly, and both teams are in the middle of the season extra time was discarded and it was straight to penalties after the 90 minutes was up. Each team made their first two penalties, but then it was the man of the match, Matt Turner, who came up with a big save on Liga MX’s second attempt. The Mexican side would miss the next two penalties, and after Manchester United legend Nani missed a potential game winner, it was the teenager Pepi who handed the MLS All Stars the win with a blast that just brushed the bottom of the bar.
This was more than just and All Star game. This was more than just a spectacle for the fans. There was pride on the line and you could see it in the way the game was played, and you could see it in the way the win was celebrated. It remains to be seen, but the real winners coming out of the All Star game was both of the leagues involved.
The winning side
The MLS will have bragging rights, at least for another year or however long it takes for Liga MX to get a rematch. My guess is after a successful night in LA we will see plenty more of these matches to come.
The MVP speaks
Matt Turner had a few quick words after a night he won't forget. He played the final 30 minutes, made one save, and in the penalties came up with two stops.
Tight until the end
A look back at all of the penalties from a memorable night in Banc of California Stadium
Pride one the line
This was not just a regular, meaningless All Star game. Both countries leagues pride was on the line, and you can see it in the celebration
Murillo equalizes
What a service and and even better finish by Murillo who soared over everyone and buried it to level the match
Rossi could have had the opener
Not even 10 minutes in, a fortunate bounce set Rossi in on goal, but a fantastic goal line save from Sanchez kept the MLS off the board.
It was two years in the making, but worth the wait. The MLS All Stars finally got a chance to host the Liga MX’s best in Banc of California Stadium, and it was the home side who took the bragging rights after outlasting the Mexican side in penalties. Goalkeeper Matt Turner was named the MVP of the match for his penalty heroics.
MLS vs Liga MX, finally
The much anticipated match day finally arrived after over a year of waiting. Two countries with a deep seeded soccer rivalry on the international scene got to transcend that rivalry to the club level as each domestic leagues best players squared off in Los Angeles.
Covid delayed the match that was originally scheduled for 13 months ago. The MLS changed format of their All Star Break after 15 years of inviting European clubs to take on the top talent in the United States. The idea was to bring the US and Mexian leagues together while testing the talent and adding to the sporting rivalry between both countries.
Supporters of both leagues at Banc of California Stadium
There was a beautiful arrangement of red white and blue, and “El Tri” scattered throughout the stands in Banc of California Stadium, and fans from both sides were treated to a fantastic 90 minutes, plus penalties.
The intensity was there from the start. You could tell even before the match started that both teams were playing for pride. The MLS is like the kid brother the Liga MX. It has always lagged behind in quality, but in recent years the two leagues have begun to level out with the MLS getting more and more competitive.
Pride on the line at the All Star game
In the lead up interviews over the past week players talked about how important winning this game would be. Most All Star games provide a spectacle, but are only played at about half throttle. But the bitterness there is, in soccer terms at least, between the two countries made it inevitable that this would just be another friendly.
From the start it was evident that the intensity and fire to win was infused in each of the sides. There was no one pulling out of challenges, there were no easily taken 50/50 balls, there was a yellow card or two handed out to each team and in the end penalties were needed to decide a winner.
MLS died down after quick start
In the opening minutes it was the MLS All Stars who had the chance to draw first blood. Hometown hero Diego Rossi sprung in on goal after a fortunate deflection off of a defender. Rossi did well to control the bouncing ball and caressed a delicate flick over Guillermo Ochoa, but Jorge Sanchez was able to make a goal line clearance to keep the hosts off the board.
Gustavo Bou had a few half chances in the opening quarter of an hour, but then Liga MX got their hold on the game and of possession and let their class shine through. It took 20 minutes to get the games first goal, when Sanchez would Jonathan Rodriguez on a diagonal ball into the box. Rodriguez chested it down and calmly tucked it through a bushel of black shirts for the opener.
Gimenez could have doubled the lead, twice
The MLS was lucky to go to the halftime break down just a goal, after Santiago Gimenez had not one, but two chance at goal. The first was a break where he found himself one vs. one with keeper Andre Blake. Blake met him a step inside the area, went to ground and secured the ball before Gimenez could shuffle to the side. He would have another chance to double the lead, but Gimenez didn’t get enough curl on a left footed effort inside the box that went screaming past the post.
Liga MX swapped 10 men at the break
It was the All Star game so unlimited substitutions were allowed, but Liga MX seemed to lose a bit of momentum when they swapped all 10 field players to start the second half. Bob Bradley made a few swaps as well, as guys like Damir Kreilach and Cade Cowell came in a made a difference in the first quarter of an hour of the second half.
Jesus Murillo equalized with a smashing header off a corner kick served up from Eduard Atuesta. The MLS side was knocking on the door and the Colombian broke it open in the 53rd minutes.
There were chances for both side to take the lead in the final half hour. First it was Alexis Vega who found himself in prime position to have a go at goal after a terrible touch from an MLS defender. His effort was sent inches wide of target after being deflected by Miles Robinson. Then 18 year old Ricardo Pepi rocketed a shot from long distance which was spilled by the keeper and eventually the rebound from Pepi sailed over the bar.
Being a friendly, and both teams are in the middle of the season extra time was discarded and it was straight to penalties after the 90 minutes was up. Each team made their first two penalties, but then it was the man of the match, Matt Turner, who came up with a big save on Liga MX’s second attempt. The Mexican side would miss the next two penalties, and after Manchester United legend Nani missed a potential game winner, it was the teenager Pepi who handed the MLS All Stars the win with a blast that just brushed the bottom of the bar.
This was more than just and All Star game. This was more than just a spectacle for the fans. There was pride on the line and you could see it in the way the game was played, and you could see it in the way the win was celebrated. It remains to be seen, but the real winners coming out of the All Star game was both of the leagues involved.
Matt Turner has been named the MVP of the 2021 MLS All-Star Game
The celebration commences for the MLS All Stars. Turner and Pepi will go down as the heros.
Pepi, the 18 year old, wins it for the MLS All Stars as he smashed it off the bottom of the cross bar!!!!
Romo walks up to the spot and takes it casually and tucks it home
Nani tried to go top corner, but sent it into row Z.
Nani steps up with a chance to win it.
Turner with the sprawling save on Reyes' take on the right side.
Atuesta is stunned by Guzman. Not much power behind the take and an easy save for Guzman.
Lirra skies it and MLS take control on this shootout
Salloi tucks it inside the left post and MLS lead
Funes Mori down the middle, but Turner comes up with the save leaving a trailing leg behind
Krielach goes down the middle as well.
Guzman in goal for MX
Sambueza to take the opening penalty... and goes right down the middlle
Turner in goal for the MLS
We have come to the end of regulation, and we are heading to penalties.
Krielech nods it across the face of goal, but Pepi couldn't get there in time and MX out of danger as we are into the 90. Two added minutes to come.
Yellow card for Romo after a synical forearm from behind.
Pepi from distance, it was knuckling and it took a short hop which was dealt with by the keeper. Pepi with a couple half chances after the rebound was controlled by the MLS. In the end its a goal kick after Pepi's turnaround hit that sailed over the bar,
No trouble for MX on the MLS corner.
Nani to take the corner
10 minutes remain in the 90. Who is coming out of tonight with the bragging rights.
Turner with a comfortable saved on the corner.
Sands with an important touch as Funes Mori looked like he was in on goal. Corner to come
Nani comes on to the pitch for the final quarter hour. Cowell is sacrificed
Free kick for MX in that area thats too shallow to swing it in to the box and too far to have a go. Sambueza skies it over the cross bar
Nani is warming up on the touchline, he won't have much time to make an impact, if he gets any.
Cowell draws a corner on the far side. But nothing comes from the set piece. Araujo picks up a yellow after holding Vega who was on the counter attack.
Liga MX starting to find their rythym, they are getting into the attacking third and starting to creat more problems for the MLS defense.
Vega with a chance after a loose touch in the back for the MLS, Robinson just able to stick a foot in a deflect the attempt wide of target.
Pepi had a chance off the half volley after the corner kick was deflected up in the air and the youngster fluffed his lines, although the flag went up. One of those instances when you're happy the linesman raises the flag.
Another corner coming as MLS continutes to pressure the back four of MX.
We are an hour in, and what a turn of the tables we are seeing after the halftime break. For as in synch as MX looked in the first half they look out of sorts in the second. You wouldn't bet against MLS to take the advantage the way things are going right now.
There is a long way to go still, but if there is a draw after 90 minutes a penalty shootout will decide who takes bragging rights.
What a finish from Murillo, power and precision and we are all level
Aguilar with an incredible block on Cowell who was all alone on the back post for a moment after the pass from Krielech
Krielach fouled in the middle of the pitch
High pressure from the MLS who look like they are making MX uncomfotable in the first few minutes on the second half.
Liga MX have swapped everyone on the pitch at the end of the first half except the keeper
Cowell with a through ball to Pepi, but it was just too heavy for the youngster. Good start from the MLS
The second half is underway, and both teams have made a handful of subs.
The opener from Jonathan Rodriguez in the 20th minute. Lovely pass from Sanchez and the finish was clinical
Gimenez had two chances to double the advantage, but Andre Blake came up with a huge save in a one v one situation. Then he had a chance that went just sailing wide, as Blake was beaten this time, but Gimenez missed the target.
What a first half we had from Banc of California Stadium. Liga MX was the better looking side for the majority of the opening 45, and the MLS is lucky to go into the dressing room only down 1-0.
Valdes with the free kick that barley enters the box, cleared away by the MLS side and that will be the last action of the first half. Liga MX is going into the second half with the lead.
Three minutes of added time in this first half.
Gimenez with a screamer that almost brushes the post, the left footed curler was looking for the back post. Keeper was left flat footed.
Rossi leading the counter and had options on each side, but his touch let him down.
Bou in on goal again, but a heavy touch lets him down and it rolls harmlessly into the keepers hands.
Foul whistled against Pizzaro, and Liga Mx with the quick restart
Roldan had to sprint back after being caught up the pitch, diagonal ball was headed toward Rodriguez and Roldan nods it out for a throw in.
Liga MX looking so crisp in the attacking third, tight passes controlling the possesion in heavy traffic. Classy play from the Mexican side.
Bou was in on goal after slipping though the back line, but the flag went up.
Bradley takes his chance to make five subs as well. Pizzaro, Blake, Wagner, Cowell and Murillo all on for MLS All Stars.
A triple swap for Liga MX, and no surprise that the coaches are going into their bench early in this All Star Game. Ibanez, Ochoa and Mena out, Gimenez Pineda and Talaver in for Liga MX.
Doria around the six had the ball stuck under his feet and couldn't get a shot as he struggled to find his balance. A real chance there for the Liga MX to stretch the lead.
Dangerous ball across the face og goal is cleared away by Roldan. Mena looking for anyone lurking in the box, but no one was there. corner to come.
Well if there was any questions about how many fans of the Liga MX would show up tonight, I think they were answered when Sanchez tucked the first goal home. A thunderous roar from the Mexican contingent was heard from the Banc of California Stadium all the way to Hollywood.
Alvarez with a clever dink inside the box, but no one at the end of the pass as Liga MX continute to knock on the door after the goal.
Rodriguez with the opener!!!!! A loveley lofted cross from Sanchez to find Rodriguez who chested it down and finshed through a couple defenders
Doria sniffs out a slow roller intented to Ruidiaz in the box
The pace of play has slowed down a bit, as both team dealt with some early blows from their opponent. Liga MX are enjoying more possesion, but MLS seen more intent to creat chances, and look more direct when in posssesion
A quarter of an hour and, and we have had one clear scoring chance that came in the 8th minute from a Rossi one v one with Ochoa.
Down goes Boa in the box, has a look at the referee who tells him to play on
The referee has stopped the game in the 11th minute after some unsportsmanlike chants coming from the stands. Not what you want to hear ever, but this is supposed to be a friendly and meant to entertain, not to stir up the ugliness that can creep into the beautiful game.
There is no shortage of intensity and competitveness through the first 10 minutes. It has been entertaining, it has been up and down and a free flowing.
It was a fortunate defelection on the back line the sprung Rossi through and in on goal.
Rossi in on goal and the flick over the keeper was headed towards the back of the net, but Sanchez with a miraculous flick to keep the goal and the MLS off the board.
Bouncer in the box from Sanchez but taken care of by the MLS defenders, and then Sanchez was whistled for a hand ball. Free kick MLS
Roldan with in answinger looking for Rossi on the back post from the set piece in the middle of the park
Bou with a cross in for the MLS side, cross deflected out of the area and out of danger.
Bou with an early foul, as LIga MX start the match passing from side to side keeping possesion.
We are underway in the 2021 MLS All Star Game!!!
From cancelled to packed house
It doen't look as though the absence of Chicharito and Carlos Vela is affecting the attendance. We have nearly a packed house. What a change a year makes, this game went from being cancelled due to Covid, to a stadium full of fans this year.
Bradley with a late change
We have a late change to the MLS XI, Diego Rossi will start in the place of Cade Cadwell.
The National Anthems are being played at Banc of California Stadium, and we are just mements away from kicking off
A change of pace
Something to think about as we are less than 10 minutes away from kick off. The MLS All Stars are used to playing European sides in the midst of preseason. But Liga MX and the MLS are both in full swing, Expect the level of intensity to be sky high thorghout the night.
End of the drought in sight?
The MLS All Star team has not won an All Star game since 2015 when Totteham lost to the All Star Squad 2-1
No Vela, No Chicharito, no full house?
We are just moments away from kick off and the fans are still filtering the stadium, but how will the injured stars' absence affect attendance?
Liga MX takes the Skills Challenge
Take a look back at the winning touch from Liga MX's dramatic victory in the Skills Challenge
Kitted Out
The MLS side will be macked out in these beautiful jerseys, with each players club badge on the left sleeve.
Bradley's boys
LAFC's Bob Bradley has the privledge of managing the top talent of the MLS all on one team, here's a rundown of the roster that was picked by the fans and by Bradley.
A look inside an relativley empty Banc of California Stadium, just an hour before kick-off
The wait is over
Hello everyone and welcome to Banc of California Stadium. It's finally time to watch the long awaited showdown between the MLS's best take on the Liga MX's best
After two long years, the MLS All Star game is finally here. For the first time ever the top players from the MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX will take the pitch tonight in a showcase that will draw the eyes of spectators from around the world. AS English will be providing live coverage, updates, scores and stats throughout the night from Banc of California Stadium.
Pride alway on the line when it comes to Mexico vs USA
There is plenty of pride on the line as these two leagues have started to level out over the course of the last decade or so. Mexico is a soccer playing country that takes pride in their domestic talent and their domestic teams. The United States is a blossoming country in the soccer world, and with the growth of the sport comes growth of the domestic league.
Each year the MLS becomes even more international, and if you take a look at some of the top leagues in the world you’ll know that is a good thing.
The wait is over
This star studded fixture set to take place a year ago, but Covid-19 brought about schedule changes, delayed start and end dates, and as a result the Liga MX All Stars vs. MLS All Stars match was cancelled.
There has always been a rivalry between the two countries national teams, and now the there is more and more debate as to which league is best. While this won’t be the defining match to crown which countries league is best, we certainly won’t be expecting a friendly.
LAFC’s Bob Bradley and Cruz Azul’s Juan Reynoso will be putting out XI’s not just to put a show, they will be selecting their sides to win and take bragging rights.
Some super stars out for tonight's All Star game
Stars like Chicharito and Carlos Vela will be unavailable for the MLS side, while Liga MX’s Andre-Pierre Gignac and Jesus Gallardo will also miss tonight’s match.
Mexico will still have legends like Guillermo Ochoa, Victor Guzman and Rogelio Funes Mori available for tonight’s game, and Bradley will be counting on guys like Emanuel Reynoso, Cristian Roldan and Nani to win the first ever match up between these to All Star sides.
From 2005 up until last year, the MLS All Stars went up against the top clubs from various leagues around Europe. Regining La Liga champions, Atletico Madrid were the last to win an MLS All Star game back in 2019.
Kick off is set for 9:30 ET from the Band of California Stadium. The game will be broadcast in the US by UniMas, Univision, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports App, and Foxsports.com