The Colorado Springs Gazette final

Vela gets MLS side going in win over Liga MX

scored and minute Soccer Wednesday ST. a over PAUL, penalty Raúl All-star in in Mexico’s MINN. Ruidíaz’s the the night. kick Major team’s third • Liga in Carlos the converted minute League 2-1 MX 73rd Vela victory on with in Vela, the FC 34 early the forward goals versatile goal in who off 2019, Los a led crossing headed Angeles MLS pass the lead Palacios. by after LAFC Ruidíaz Carles teammate Gil padded drew Diego a shot penalty, to the lower sending right his corner free to elicit crowd a roar of 19,797 from at the Allianz sellout Field. Kevin Álvarez scored for Liga outside MX the with box a in rocket the from 83rd minute that sailed past diving goalie Sean Johnson. That brought the thousands of Mexicans in attendance to life, and they were just as loud as the Americans. Minnesota United, nick-named the Loons by the ar-dent supporters, had backup goalie Dayne St. Clair and starting midfielder Emanuel Reynoso represented on the team. Reynoso took the first corner kick. St. Clair entered in the 33rd minute to sub for Andre Blake. He made four saves, including a diving stop to block a header in the 44th minute, to win the game’s MVP award.This was the second edition of this format for the MLS All-Star game, setting it apart from the other major U.S.-based pro sports leagues. The MLS team beat Liga MX on penalty kicks in Los Angeles last year after a 1-1 draw in regulation. The MLS has not committed to an All-Star re-match.The two leagues are more business partners than fierce rivals, with only one Mexican player in the starting Liga MX lineup: Fernando Beltrán. The MLS team had Vela, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and Julián Araujo, who was born in the U.S. and has dual na-tionality.But the MLS, which was formed more than 50 years after Liga MX, certainly will take another sign that it’s catching up to its southern neighbor. The Seattle Sound-ers became the first MLS club to defeat a Liga MX team for the CONCACAF Champions League title earlier this year when they beat Pumas UNAM. Minnesota United coach Adri-an Heath, who coached the MLS team, said this week the gap between the two leagues is as close as he’s ever seen it.Next year, the leagues will compete in an expanded Leagues Cup tournament — the first to include all 47 clubs from MLS and Liga MX.

The winner will advance directly to the CONCACAF Champions League round of 16.

The timing of the showcase this year also created a bonus opportunity for the U.S. national team members to connect, with the World Cup looming in a little more than three months.

There were seven MLS Allstars currently listed on the U.S. roster, which has yet to be finalized for Qatar: defenders Walker Zimmerman, Deandre Yedlin and Aaron Long, forwards Jordan Morris, Paul Arriola and Jesús Ferreira and

Johnson.

Zimmerman and Morris were in the starting lineup. Arriola subbed in and had an early second-half goal erased by an offside call on Brandon Vázquez, who teed up Arriola with a perfect setup in front. Vázquez, who’s second in the MLS with 14 goals, has played his way into strong consideration for the U.S. team with his breakout season for FC Cincinnati.

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2022-08-11T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-11T07:00:00.0000000Z

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The Gazette, Colorado Springs