SAINT PAUL, MINN. (Tuesday, August 9, 2022) – MLS emerged victorious over LIGA MX in the 2022 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G in Minneapolis on Tuesday evening. Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar struck the crossbar for the Victory Shot to give Major League Soccer the victory.
Highlights from the match can be downloaded HERE*.
Shooting Challenge presented by AT&T 5G
Houston Dynamo FC midfielder Héctor Herrera led the MLS to a victory in the Shooting Challenge presented by AT&T 5G after dominating with 65 points to give MLS its first point of the competition. Facing the league where he first started his career, Herrera hit two 10-point shots as well as the moving 20-point target to put the challenge out of reach (Watch Here). Minnesota United FC midfielder Emanuel Reynoso produced 37 points and FC Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira added another 34 in 136-74 win. Monterrey forward Germán Berterame led LIGA MX with 35 points as the first player to go for his squad.
Touch Challenge presented by Old Spice
Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar showed off why he is one of the most talented midfielders in the league, as he dazzled in front of the Minnesota fans during the Touch Challenge presented by Old Spice. With MLS trailing, Mukhtar put on a show, adding 70 points with incredible touches and even better placement in the 106-68 victory (Watch Here). The German hit two 20-pointers to push MLS’ advantage to 2-0 in the Skills Challenge.
Cross & Volley Challenge presented by AT&T 5G
With LIGA MX trailing 2-0 in the competition, Pachuca midfielder Avilés Hurtado put forth a sensational performance in the Cross & Volley Challenge presented by AT&T 5G. Hurtado was not shy to acrobatics, scoring two scissor kicks to solidify the point for LIGA MX (Watch Here). Guadalajara forward Alexis Vega laid the foundation for a 120-75 LIGA MX win in the challenge with a solid 60 points after placing several one-timed volleys past Minnesota United FC goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
Passing Challenge presented by Bounty
Once they added their first point in the Skills Challenge, LIGA MX rode that momentum to a convincing win in the Passing Challenge presented by Bounty. Monterrey’s Berterame got off to a quick start against hometown favorite Emanuel Reynoso and concluded it by perfectly hitting the “Final Pass” to take the first leg (Watch Here). Pachuca midfielder Luis Chávez won the full point after a close back and forth matchup with Herrera, eventually hitting the “Final Pass” just as the Dynamo midfielder began his first attempt at it.
Crossbar Challenge presented by GilletteLabs
After coming nail bitingly close multiple times, Mukhtar sent Allianz Field and the MLS All-Stars into a mass celebration with the Victory Shot to win the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G (Watch Here). In the first part of the challenge, Ferreira, LA Galaxy forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vázquez all connected with the crossbar to move to unlock Zone 2 (Watch Here). Each team came dangerously close, with St. Clair narrowly missing the crossbar twice in the final part of the competition. In the end, Mukhtar left no doubt, rattling the cross bar with his perfect effort from long range to send the team into a frenzy (Watch Here).
Post-Match Mixed Zone
Full archives of the post-match mixed zones held following the match will be available HERE. Select quotes from MLS All-Star Skills Challenge players will be available HERE.
*MLS All-Star Video Footage & Highlights:
All video footage and highlights from MLS All-Star events will be available for download on the MLS Video database (https://mls.imagencloud.com/).
Media must register to access and download content. Media will be able to access once their account has been approved.
Highlights are for news access linear television (over-the-air terrestrial broadcast, cable television and/or direct broadcast satellite) distribution within the United States only.
Digital use of highlights not permitted from the MLS All-Star Game presented by Target and the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G.
*MLS All-Star Photography:
A selection of editorial rights-free imagery from MLS All-Star events will be available for download on Imagn, a part of the USA Today network (https://imagn.com/features/MLS).
Please credit "USA Today Sports - (Photographer Name)".
Login: AllStarPhotos@mlssoccer.com
Password: AllStar2022
Media interested in a complimentary 10-day trial to access Imagn photos should contact Josh Duboff (jduboff@imagn.com) for a personalized account.
You can find a selection of editorial rights-free imagery below. Please credit "USA Today Sports - (Photographer Name)". The correct photo credit is denoted in the caption. Photos for all 2022 MLS All-Star Week events can be found HERE.
