The arrival of Lionel Messi has given MLS hope it can become a top league, but Arsenal prove the US league still has a way to go with 5-0 dominance from the All-Stars
- MLS is entering an exciting new era with the arrival of Lionel Messi
- But Wednesday was a humiliating affair against one of Europe’s best teams
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With the arrival of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to America, it’s hard not to dream of MLS becoming a top league.
The current reality is much harder.
Wednesday’s All-Star Game against Arsenal showed just how wide the gap is between the American league and the European elite, as the Gunners won 5-0 in front of a packed crowd at Audi Field.
And while it was a celebratory week for a league entering an exciting new era, few if any All-Stars came out of the game with their stash.
While the MLS forwards largely failed to find a lead, it was the league’s defenders who looked the most out of their depth.
Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka celebrate the opening goal of the match’s first
Saka terrorized his opponents on the right flank and had a hand in the first two goals
Thousands of fans packed Audi Field for the game, although most rooted for Arsenal
Cincinnati’s Alvaro Barreal was terrorized on the right by Bukayo Saka, who fell out of position following the England star before losing out to Gabriel Jesus for a beautifully chipped first goal.
Center back Walker Zimmerman – who cleared himself quite well vs. the Three Lions in the World Cup – was also put on the line by Saka, which keeper Roman Burki will also want to forget.
Barreal’s half didn’t get any better from then on, as he hacked Saka down for a yellow card in the 18th minute before the winger got the upper hand again five minutes later and went past him before supplying Leandro Trossard for the second goal.
MLS ended the first half with four yellow cards and play in the first 45 wasn’t very cohesive in the final third either.
Hany Mukhtar had some extravagant passes, Christian Benteke had a particularly clumsy touch in front of goal in the 11th minute and Denis Bouanga was largely silent apart from a few decent bursts of speed.
Those three were all taken out during a 33 minute hydration break, as were Riqui Puig, Jose Martinez and Burki.
Those changes were certainly made by All-Star coach Wayne Rooney in the spirit of allowing others playing time in the exhibition game, though there would have been few sporting complaints either.
The second half started on the same sour note for the hosts as Arsenal were awarded a penalty after a Tim Parker handball seconds into the restart.
Jorginho had no qualms about making three and putting Arsenal firmly in the driver’s seat for this pre-season.
Gabriel Martinelli later put Arsenal in fourth with a cool finish at the break before Kai Havertz scored the fifth and final goal of the game.
Riqui Puig had some slippery touches, but in the end didn’t make much of an impact on the game
Jorginho converted a penalty two minutes into the second half after a Tim Parker handball
In the end, MLS’ All-Stars didn’t give fans much to cheer about, though most of the spectators present wouldn’t have minded.
The loudest cheer of the night came when Declan Rice was brought on for his debut – such a sea of red took over the stadium.
In the end, this wasn’t a surprising result, but one that still won’t have pleased an ever-competitive Rooney.
He is still at the start of his coaching career, but even the most seasoned managers would have struggled to get a result against this strong Arsenal side.