Damir Kreilach, MLS All-Stars Beat Liga MX All-Stars In Penalty Shootout
Aug 25, 2021, 9:50 PM
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach took part in his first MLS All-Star game at Banc of California Stadium where the MLS All-Stars beat Liga MX All-Stars in a penalty shoot-out.
Kreilach spent the opening half on the bench. He was subbed on at halftime and donned the captain’s armband in doing so.
As you would expect, Kreilach played as a box-to-box midfielder and was seen floating into the area with the hopes of scoring a go-ahead goal.
Liga MX scored the only goal in the first half when Jonathan Rodríguez put the visitors in front in the 20th minute. That is where the scoreline stayed up until halftime.
Then, Kreilach made his presence felt. The big-bodied midfielder towered over his opponents and was spotted in dangerous positions throughout the second half.
O Captain! My Captain! #MLSAllStar pic.twitter.com/H1Cl4ivDYe
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 26, 2021
He nearly got an assist towards the end of the game when he played a ball onto the feet of Ricardo Pepi but the shot was skied over the net.
The format in the All-Star game was unique. Following the final 90 minutes of regular time, the match went straight to penalties.
RELATED STORIES
First Up, Dami
Kreilach was the first player for the MLS All-Star team to step up to the spot and he calmly found the back of the net by striking the ball down the center of the goal.
Easy does it #MLSallstar pic.twitter.com/r0vp0QmxPX
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) August 26, 2021
Prior to this shootout, the MLS All-Star’s had lost three penalty shootouts in All-Star games. The MLS team had never won a penalty shootout in the All-Star game.
That changed in California this evening when Matt Turner made two key saves to lift his team to victory.
This summer, the United States Men’s National Team beat Mexico in the Gold Cup, Nation’s League, and now the MLS All-Star team beats the Liga MX All-Star team.
It has been a summer to forget for fans of Mexican soccer.
[ss-signup design_id=”2205276″]
