MLS NEXT All-Star Game: East squad earns 2-1 comeback victory

BLAINE, MINN. – In the inaugural MLS NEXT All-Star Game, 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 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.

Medina putting on Cruz control to steer the West ?@Allstate | #MLSNEXTAllStar pic.twitter.com/uLOWMojVEW

— MLS NEXT (@MLSNEXT) August 10, 2022

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.

East called game?@Allstate | #MLSNEXTAllStar pic.twitter.com/htwkRUiGEI

— MLS NEXT (@MLSNEXT) August 10, 2022

2022 MLS NEXT All-Star Game – 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)