Shameful MLS Performance at the All-Star Game

On a night that promised glory, the MLS All-Stars ended up living a nightmare against the LIGA MX All-Stars. The crowd that packed Lower.com Field in Columbus, with an impressive 20,931 fans, left disappointed, watching a 4-1 defeat. The result highlighted the gap in level between the two leagues.

The start of the match seemed promising for the MLS. Just 16 minutes in, Monterrey's Germán Berterame found the net, bringing a mix of apprehension and anxiety to the fans. But, like magic, Columbus Crew's star Cucho Hernández equalized the game the very next minute after a brilliant assist from Inter Miami's icon, Sergio Busquets. It was a goal that set the stands on fire and brought hope that the night would be historic for the American side.

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However, that spark of hope was quickly extinguished. Before halftime, Pachuca's Oussama Idrissi put the Mexicans ahead again, making it clear that LIGA MX was not here to play around. The first half ended with a bitter feeling that the mission would be tough for the MLS players.

The second half began, and with it, changes in the MLS team in a desperate attempt to turn the game around. But the night seemed destined for Mexican success. Tigres' Juan Brunetta extended the lead at 68 minutes, and a minute later, Monterrey's Maxi Meza sealed the deal. It was a cold shower for the MLS All-Stars, who simply couldn't find the back of the net, despite creating several chances.

Nashville SC's Hany Mukhtar and LA Galaxy's Riqui Puig hit the post, leaving the crowd with that "almost" feeling. Even FC Cincinnati's Luca Orellano attempted an audacious goal from midfield but to no avail. The ball just wouldn't go in, and fate seemed already sealed.

The rivalry with LIGA MX is real and needs to be taken seriously. Soccer in North America is growing, but the technical and tactical superiority of the Mexicans is something Americans need to acknowledge and work to overcome. Having big names and international stars isn't enough; a cohesive team, a well-defined strategy, and most importantly, the grit to win are essential.

LIGA MX celebrates its victory for a reason. The goals from Berterame, Idrissi, Brunetta, and Meza were not a fluke but the result of well-executed work and a team that knew how to seize opportunities.