The MLS challenged again this Tuesday in its ‘Skills Challenge’ (skills challenge), after two years measuring itself against Liga MX, a European rival like Arsenal and the English imposed their quality to take victory on the night of the challenges.
The prize for the winning team was 25,000 dollars that will be donated to the NGO ‘Special Olympics’ in the city of Washington, where the event was held the day before the great All-Star game in which the best of MLS against Arsenal.
The ten players in the English box were the best overall for the night, in which they competed in five different tests in a fun and light-hearted atmosphere.
TIMBER SHINES IN FINISHING
The shot test was clearly taken by Arsenal, showing much more precision facing the goal with a resounding 121-88. The good news for MLS and the Mexican Héctor Herrera (Houston Dinamo) is that his record of 65 points achieved last year remains intact.
The differences began by marking them Jurriën Timber. The Dutchman scored 50 points in the first round, far from the 27 achieved by the local idol, the Congolese Christian Benteke (DC United).
The second turn was for the American of Colombian origin, Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas), imprecise with 17 points, which the New Yorker Folarin Balogun took advantage of adding 22 to bring Arsenal’s overall to 72 points and maintain dominance.
The third round of the locals was carried out by the Gabonese Dénis Bouanga (LAFC) with an impressive result of 44 points that put the MLS overall at 88 points. The responsibility then fell to the Pole Jakub Kiwior, who responded by taking Arsenal to 121 points.
MARQUINHOS AND HAVERTZ DO NOT GIVE A CHOICE
The technical efficiency was once again greater by Arsenal in the second challenge: control and touch.
Both the German Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) with 37 points, and the Argentine and world champion Thiago Almada (Atlanta United), who scored 78 points for a total of 115 local goals, did well.
However, between the Brazilian and former Sao Paulo player, Marquinhos, with 53 points, plus the German Kai Havertz with 86, Arsenal reached 139 goals and their second win of the night.
BOUANGA BREAKED THE RECORD IN ‘CROSSES AND VOLLEYS’
Already with the participation of the goalkeepers, the MLS won its first challenge thanks mainly to the work of its two goalkeepers, Roman Bürki (St. Louis SC) and Tyler Miller (DC United), who hardly allowed any goals to Havertz or Balogun .
Bouanga’s tremendous performance was also pivotal.
The LAFC striker broke Funes Mori’s record of 85 points and gave a recital of first-rate shots on goal.
ARSENAL DOMINATES IN PASSES
Despite the fact that the first point of the passes was won by MLS with a superb performance by Thiago Almada beating Auston Trusty, Arsenal managed to turn the challenge around thanks to Jorginho’s triumphs over Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy) in a very tight duel , and the decisive one by the Pole Jakub Kiwior against the Argentine Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati).
Arsenal stood 3-1 on aggregate.
TRUSTY SEALS THE FINAL TRIUMPH
Each hit off the crossbar awarded a score and Arsenal quickly achieved their point number four. Despite the second goal of the MLS, the English also achieved the fifth that gave him the option to be the first to throw from 40 yards (36.5 meters) for the final victory.
With the English failing to hit from distance, they allowed the MLS team to score their fifth point and also go to 40 yards. Whoever hit the crossbar first won the night and the author was Auston Trusty after many attempts.
MESSI, ‘PRESENT’
Christian Espinoza, Argentine goalscorer for the San Jose Earthquakes, gave his opinion on Leo Messi’s arrival in the league and the impact it could have: “It’s a huge joy, as an Argentine I feel very happy that he’s here. It’s going to serve to have the look at the world here and it is something very important for all of us. Now we have to enjoy it or suffer it on the pitch”.
In addition, a former teammate of Messi at Barcelona like Puig made his debut in the week of the MLS stars and defined the challenge event as “a brutal experience to be able to share a dressing room with the best in the league”.
2023-07-19 06:19:58
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