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Javier Hernandez’s heroic acrobatics and a brilliant walk-off Crossbar Challenge hit from Hany Mukhtar help MLS All-Stars defeat Liga MX All-Stars in wacky MLS Skills Challenge
- MLS All-Stars faced off against Liga MX All-Stars in the Skills Challenge
- Across a variety of challenges, the American league beat their Mexican rival
- Javier Hernandez of LA Galaxy was one player representing the MLS team
- It was won by Hany Mukhtar, who earned the victory with a 40-yard crossbar hit
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Major League Soccer kicked off its All-Star activities Tuesday with the MLS Skills Challenge. Players from the MLS All-Star roster and the Liga MX roster faced off in a variety of fun, skill-based competitions to see who could out-do the other.
MLS would win the event – which consisted of five contests – 3-2, thanks to a dramatic walk-off crossbar hit from Nashville SC star Hany Mukhtar.
The MLS team actually got off to a early 2-0 lead after wining the shooting and touch challenges at Allianz Field in Minnesota.
Hany Mukhtar of the MLS All-Stars kicks the winning shot in the Crossbar Challenge
Mukhtar and his MLS All-Star teammates celebrate a walk-off victory in the crossbar challenge
The shooting challenge saw three players from each team take turns shooting at 11 targets that have values ranging from two points to 20 points. Each player had 60 seconds.
Houston Dynamo FC midfielder Hector Herrera paced the MLSers in the challenge securing an easy 136-74.
Herrera scored a stunning 65 points to break the 55-point record set by Lucas Zelaryan of the Columbus Crew.
FC Dallas and USMNT forward Jesus Ferreira lines up awaiting his turn in Shooting Challenge
For the touch challenge a player would attempt to redirect passes played into him from teammates and hit one of four targets with values ranging from two points to 20 points.
Mukhatr was the star of the show during this challenge and helped lead the MLS team to a huge 106-68 victory.
Carlos Gil of the New England Revolution also had 26 points in the event.
Alvaro Fidalgo of the Liga MX All-Stars competes during the Touch Challenge in Minnesota
In the Cross and Volley Challenge a total of eight players from both sides would take part in the competition. Players would receive different amounts of points based on the way they scored, with shots that required a higher degree of difficulty receiving more points.
The Liga MX All-Stars would finally record a win after defeating the MLS team 140-75. Alexis Vega led the way with 60 points.
Liga MX also won the Passing Challenge, which simply required players to see who could hit five targets the quickest within the 60 second time limit.
LA Galaxy forward Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez hits volley in Cross and Volley Challenge
Finally the tie-breaking Crossbar Challenge. MLS was the first to hit the target from 18 yards out to allow them to move back ahead of Liga MX.
After both sides frantically fought to be the first to hit from 40 yards out finally Mukhtar the crossbar to give his team a walk-off victory.
The sides will face off Wednesday in the All-Star Game at 8:30 p.m EST.
Minnesota United keeper Dayne St. Clair of pose for a photo with former player Tony Sanneh after being presented a check to the Sanneh Foundation for $25,000