AUSTIN, Texas – All-Star Games are meant to be enjoyed. But by nature, it’s much easier for players to enjoy the showcase event when they’re winning.
Just ask the MLS All-Stars, who bested their LIGA MX counterparts Wednesday evening, earning a 3-1 win in front of a sold-out crowd at Austin FC's Q2 Stadium.
That runs the tally to three games MLS has won in an MLS vs. LIGA MX format to one, avenging last year’s 4-1 defeat in Columbus, Ohio.
While there may not be All-Star smack talk between players, the game marked another chapter in the history of a soccer rivalry that continues to spill over from the international game to the club game.
“Obviously it’s a really big rivalry that has been going on for many years,” San Jose Earthquakes winger Cristian Espinoza said. “Today, maybe it’s more present because we’ve had other All-Star Games against LIGA MX, we play Leagues Cup against teams from LIGA MX.
“The rivalry keeps growing through the years, and honestly, these types of competitions are really nice. While it was a friendly game today, they’re representing Mexico, us the United States, and today we did it well.”
Club & country
The summer of soccer already saw one edition of the United States against Mexico, with El Tri winning the Concacaf Gold Cup final 2-1 earlier this month. Many players who competed in that match squared off once again Wednesday night, with Mexico starlet Gilberto Mora suiting up for the LIGA MX All-Stars and a large contingent of USMNT players representing MLS.
The vibe for the two games are starkly different, but both have extra depth thanks to the history of the soccer rivalry between the nations.
“It just continues to highlight the quality MLS has and in LIGA MX," said Max Arfsten, a Columbus Crew defender and MLS All-Star who featured in the Gold Cup final.
"It was intense, very competitive. I’m happy we came out with the win, but it brings out the best in both leagues, really."
Best of both leagues
The competition agrees.
LIGA MX All-Stars manager André Jardine and his players came with a clear objective. And though they fell short, the experience proved rewarding.
“The biggest value of the event is being able to be on the same side as players you usually are playing against all year in decisive games. You see them and you’ve got to work so they play well,” Jardine said. “When you get everyone together and work as a team, it’s very important. We wanted to win. Victory always tastes better.”
The desire to win the All-Star Game may not reflect the same intensity of a Gold Cup knockout match, a Leagues Cup contest, or a Concacaf Champions Cup showdown like Vancouver Whitecaps FC experienced en route to the final of this year's tournament.
But that's not to detract from the extra motivation for both teams.
“Especially looking at the group they put out to start, I think they were really trying to make a point to go after it,” said Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon. “I think there's definitely a little bit of that [rivalry feeling] when you go into games like that, especially for us, the guys from Vancouver. We played a lot of these guys this year, so familiar faces.”
Raised stakes
That familiarity often leads to players becoming friendly off the field, joking before or after a match. Once the whistle blows, though, it gives way to different feelings altogether.
“I always want to win, whoever the opponent is in front of me, but it can happen where if you’ve played a lot of games against the same opponent, it can generate a bit more of rivalry,” said Columbus Crew attacker Diego Rossi.
Rossi and the Crew are the reigning Leagues Cup champions and will open their title defense against current LIGA MX champion Toluca on July 29. That means Rossi will again battle with Toluca defenders Jesús Gallardo and Luan Garcia.
Like the All-Star Game, those matches only build on the rivalry that exists, with fans hoping their team will claim superiority over a rival that also has triumphs to point to. The result? Good spectacles for the fans in the stands and watching on MLS Season Pass.
“We’ve seen really good games which generates more expectations for these games,” Rossi said. “I think it’s happening that every time they’re better to see and you start to look forward to that.”
Most fans already are, hungry for another chapter in a soccer rivalry that continues to grow and evolve, but one that has been a constant for those who love the game in North America for decades.
