MLS Next West goalkeeper Adam Beaudry (1) of Colorado Rapids makes a save against MLS Next East player Benjamin Cremaschi (8) of Inter Miami CF during the second half of the 2022 MLS NEXT All-Star Game. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
In the inaugural MLS NEXT All-Star Game, the East team defeated the West squad with a late comeback, earning a 2-1 victory in Blaine, Minn. on Wednesday.
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 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 East captain 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).