MLS Defeats Liga MX in Competitive All-Star Match

News Summary

In a thrilling matchup, Major League Soccer secured a 3-1 victory over Liga MX during the All-Star Game at Q2 Stadium. Sam Surridge, Tai Baribo, and Brian White each scored for MLS, while Liga MX’s Gilberto Mora became the youngest player to score in an All-Star Game. The event attracted over 20,000 fans and highlighted the intense rivalry between the two leagues. Baribo was named MVP, further solidifying his status in the league alongside Lionel Messi. The match showcased not only individual performances but also the depth of talent in North American soccer.

Austin, Texas – Major League Soccer (MLS) triumphed over Liga MX of Mexico with a score of 3-1 in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game held on July 23 at Q2 Stadium. This victory marked MLS’s third win over Liga MX in four All-Star matches, rebounding from a disappointing defeat in the previous year.

Scoring for MLS were Sam Surridge from Nashville SC, Tai Baribo from the Philadelphia Union, and Brian White from Vancouver FC. Surridge initiated the goal-scoring in the 28th minute with a well-placed header, set up by Denis Bouanga of LAFC. Baribo extended the lead shortly after halftime, scoring in the 51st minute with assistance from Diego Rossi of the Columbus Crew. Liga MX’s Gilberto Mora from Club Tijuana managed to narrow the deficit by finding the back of the net in the 64th minute, becoming the youngest player to score in an MLS All-Star Game. However, Brian White sealed the victory for MLS with a goal in the 80th minute, assisted by Philip Zinckernagel of Chicago Fire and Cristian Espinoza of San Jose Earthquakes.

The match drew a crowd of over 20,000 enthusiastic fans at Q2 Stadium, highlighting the ongoing passion for soccer across North America. The significance of this event extended beyond just the score, as it underscored the longstanding rivalry between the United States and Mexico in soccer culture.

This victory was particularly sweet for MLS after Liga MX claimed a decisive 4-1 victory in last year’s All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio. In the four matches played in this rivalry series, MLS has now emerged victorious three times, with their last defeat still fresh in the memory of players and fans alike.

In terms of individual performances, Tai Baribo stood out by being awarded the MVP of the All-Star Game thanks to his brilliant display and goal. This season has seen Baribo and Lionel Messi tied for the league lead in goals, each with 18. Notably, Lionel Messi did not participate in this year’s All-Star Game due to prior commitments, having also missed the previous match in 2024. His absence could lead to complications for his team, Inter Miami, as he and teammate Jordi Alba face potential league suspensions that might affect their upcoming match against Cincinnati.

Both teams employed various substitutions throughout the game, with Liga MX opting to completely change its lineup at halftime to bring in fresh legs. In addition, MLS had to make seven substitutions within the first half, ensuring that players could maintain their performance levels while preparing for other games in the congested schedule.

A critical moment came in the 75th minute when Yohei Takaoka from Vancouver FC made a series of impressive saves to keep MLS in the lead, most notably stopping a powerful attempt from Diber Cambindo of Necaxa. This performance solidified Takaoka’s place as a key player in the match and helped secure the win for MLS.

The 2025 MLS All-Star Game has been widely recognized for its importance in the context of North American soccer. As the rivalry continues to grow between MLS and Liga MX, this game serves as a definitive marker of the evolving competition between clubs from the two leagues. The results not only impact the players and teams involved but also resonate with fans who passionately follow their respective leagues.

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Additional Resources

• MLS Soccer
• USA Today
• Goal.com
• US Soccer
• Wikipedia: Major League Soccer