The MLS All-Star game is what you make of it. Want to see it as yet another benchmark by which we can measure the US and Canada’s top professional league against Mexico’s? The current format, pitting a team of MLS stars against Liga MX’s own selection, will provide that (however flimsy the conclusions may be from MLS’s 3-1 win).
Want it to be nothing more than a good time? The tenor of play, and that of the previous night’s very fun but very silly skills competition won by MLS, will do that. Sam Surridge’s first-half opener, the confirmation of which was somewhat hilariously delayed by a VAR check, came after an impressive display of speed and skill from LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, who picked the pocket of Necaxa’s Agustín Palavecino before bursting through on goal. The Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo finished off a well-worked second off a super through ball from Columbus’ Diego Rossi. All four of those involved in the goals are among the league’s best attacking stars, and they shone brightly.
