MLS, playing without Messi, beats Liga MX 3-1 in All-Star Game

By MARK ROSNER The Associated Press AUSTIN Texas Sam Surridge Tai Baribo and Brian White scored goals and Major League Soccer defeated Liga MX of Mexico - in the MLS All-Star Competition on Wednesday night Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba both face achievable league suspensions for their crew s next match against Cincinnati on Saturday for missing the All-Star contest Liga MX s James Rodr guez also chose not to play in the championship played in front of more than fans at Q Stadium MLS has defeated Liga MX three times in four tries Last year Liga MX won - in Columbus Ohio The MLS All-Stars won in and beat Liga MX on penalty kicks after a - draw a year prior Messi has yet to appear in an MLS All-Star Meeting He missed the meeting last year with an injury Messi is tied with Nashville s Surridge for the MLS lead in goals with Surridge scored another goal on Wednesday from the middle of the box heading in to the lower right corner a ball directed by LAFC s Denis Bouanga in the th minute The opportunity developed after Bouanga had a point-blank attempt stopped by Liga MX goalkeeper Luis Malagon Club America Bouanga hustled to retrieve the long rebound and sent it to Surridge Before the goal both teams had attempts rejected with diving stops by Luis Malag n and Austin FC s Brad Stuver in the th and th minutes MLS went ahead - in the st minute when Diego Rossi Columbus passed ahead to Baribo Philadelphia whose right footed shot from the center of the box made it to the lower left corner of the goal Liga MX closed the gap to - just minutes later when Gilberto Mora Club Tijuana converted a pass from Elias Montiel Pachuca from the middle of the box Liga MX s bid to tie the match was snubbed when a shot by Diber Cambindo Necaxa was stopped by Yohei Takaoka Vancouver in the th minute White Vancouver finished the scoring in the th minute Espinoza s role San Jose Earthquakes captain Cristian Espinoza normally a winger was utilized in the second half in a more defensive role by MLS coach coach Nico Est vez Austin FC s head coach Espinoza making his second All-Star event appearance played right back for the MLS squad Up next MLS and Liga MX continue their rivalry with the Leagues Cup that begins on July and concludes Aug The competition features a new format with all clubs from Liga MX and the top from MLS competing Last year all clubs from the two leagues were included AP soccer https apnews com hub soccer