Ricardo Pepi grew up straddling the ever-dwindling divide between Mexican and American soccer. The Texas native who principally watched Mexican groups as a child is now a first-time MLS All-Star for FC Dallas, and each nationwide groups have been chasing the 18-year-old prodigy’s dedication.
Pepi primarily confirmed Wednesday evening he has determined to play along with his fellow People — and he did it proper after putting the decisive blow for his home league within the newest chapter of its rising, pleasant rivalry with Liga MX.
New England goalkeeper Matt Turner made two penalty kick saves, and Pepi transformed the ultimate likelihood to elevate the MLS group previous a set of stars from Mexico’s high league within the MLS All-Star Sport.
The MLS group received the shootout 3-2 after ending regulation tied 1-1.
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Pepi is predicted to announce Thursday he has chosen to characterize the U.S. internationally when he’s chosen for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. His penalty kick off the underside of the crossbar was a symbolic approach to finish an entertaining, pleasant night for the All-Star groups representing the continent’s two greatest leagues.
“To get referred to as as much as the nationwide group after which get the win for MLS, it feels nice,” Pepi mentioned. “You guys can see the MLS is getting higher and extra aggressive.”
The primary matchup of those leagues’ high gamers in MLS’ midseason showcase was the most recent step within the more and more shut ties between the U.S./Canadian league and Mexico’s high division. The groups placed on a memorable night at Los Angeles FC’s sold-out Banc of California Stadium within the coronary heart of a cosmopolitan American metropolis with a vibrant Mexican taste.
Liga MX MVP Jonathan Rodríguez scored within the 20th minute of standard time, and Jesús Murillo evened it on a header off a cross from LAFC teammate Eduard Atuesta early within the second half.
The penalty shootout was a thriller: Turner received the sport’s MVP award by stopping photographs by Rogelio Funes Mori and Salvador Reyes, and Pepi completed it with model.
“I feel (this All-Star format) can be nice for each leagues,” Turner mentioned. “You noticed the competitors was actually spirited and excessive depth. The followers have been into it. It ought to be the norm, but it surely’s not my name. I had a ton of enjoyable this week. Folks actually needed to win, and we don’t all the time get that in All-Star video games right here.”
MLS and Liga MX already maintain two group cup competitions with hopes for much more interleague play, and each leagues agree a full merger is an actual risk within the coming years.
“Profitable a match in opposition to the very best gamers in Mexico feels so good,” mentioned MLS captain Raúl Ruidíaz, a Peruvian veteran of each leagues. “It proves our league is rising. We loved this lots.”
These All-Star groups’ demographics mirror each leagues’ development and worldwide enchantment. The MLS All-Stars have been born in 13 totally different international locations, whereas solely 12 of Liga MX’s 27 All-Stars have been born in Mexico.
“It’s wonderful to be right here with all these nice gamers,” mentioned Guillermo Ochoa, the veteran Membership América goalkeeper who performed a part of the primary half. “It’s nice for the followers as a result of they will see these gamers stay. I’d like to be right here once more subsequent 12 months.”
MLS was as soon as effectively behind Liga MX in high quality of play, however gamers from each leagues agree the hole has closed considerably previously few years. These All-Star groups seemed to be fairly well-matched as they performed to a attract regulation.
“The factor I realized out there’s we’re up there with Liga MX,” Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake mentioned.
Early within the first half, the sport was paused after followers participated within the notorious homophobic chant that is still irresistible to some Mexican followers regardless of FIFA sanctions in opposition to their nationwide group due to it. Followers largely stopped doing the mantra on purpose kicks after the warning, however many did it once more throughout additional time within the second half.
Liga MX went forward when América defender Jorge Sánchez delivered an extended cross to Rodríguez, who managed it and scored for the most recent achievement within the Uruguayan veteran’s outstanding calendar 12 months. Rodríguez received Balón de Oro as Mexican soccer’s most useful participant final 12 months whereas main Cruz Azul to its first Liga MX title since 1997.
Rodríguez even received the MLS All-Star Expertise Problem for Liga MX on Tuesday evening, hitting the crossbar from about 45 yards to finish the occasion.
The Los Angeles festivities have been dampened earlier this week when MLS’ two greatest Mexican stars — the Galaxy’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and LAFC’s Carlos Vela — each dropped out with accidents. Inter Miami’s Rodolfo Pizarro was the one Mexican-born participant on the MLS roster, which had a handful of Liga MX veterans.
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