Ricardo Pepi made the decisive kick as Major League Soccer defeated Liga MX in a penalty shootout to win the historic first combined All-Star game between the two leagues in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
After LAFC's Eduard Atuesta and Orlando City's Nani missed their penalty kick chances, Pepi – the 18-year-old homegrown forward for FC Dallas – stepped up for the winner.
"I was confident," Pepi said. "I felt like everything was set up for me to win the game."
New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner – who made two saves in the penalty shootout – was named the game's MVP. Turner will undoubtedly be named to the U.S. national team roster for 2022 World Cup qualifying that starts on Sept. 2 in El Salvador, but what remains to be seen is if recent performances in MLS, the Concacaf Gold Cup and now the MLS-Liga MX All-Star game earn him consideration to start in goal for Gregg Berhalter's squad.
