East Defeats West, 2-1, in the Inaugural MLS NEXT All-Star Game Presented by Allstate

BLAINE, MINN. – In the inaugural MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate, the East team defeated the West squad with a late comeback, earning a 2-1 victory. The East team was led by the player of the game, Favian Loyola from Orlando City SC, who helped turn around a 1-0 deficit in the second half with his play on the wing.

The San Jose Earthquakes’ Cruz Medina scored the first goal in the history of the MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate just six minutes into the match, when his deflected strike from outside of the box made its way past the flat-footed East All-Star goalkeeper (Watch Here).

The West held the 1-0 advantage until the 86th minute; however, Inter Miami CF’s Benjamin Cremaschi was taken down by the goalkeeper in the box for a penalty kick. Toronto FC defender and captain of the East All-Stars Adam Pearlman stepped up to take the kick, but fooled the opposition, playing a pass to Cremaschi who darted into the box and smashed in the game-tying goal. As regulation time dwindled and the game appeared headed for penalty kicks, Philadelphia Union standout Marcos Zambrano-Delgado made sure that would not happen, slotting home the game-winner after the New England Revolution’s Jack Panayotou provided the crucial cross ( Watch Here).

2022 MLS NEXT All-Star Game Presented by Allstate – GAME NOTES

1 2 T

East 0 2 2

West 1 0 1

Scoring Summary

WEST – Cruz Medina (San Jose Earthquakes), 6′

EAST – Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF), 86′

EAST – Marcos Zambrano-Delgado (Philadelphia Union), 89′

Player of the Game

East All-Star Favian Loyola (Orlando City SC)