MLS Next All-Star Game's Best Players: Western Team

<p>The MLS Next All-Star Game finished with a resounding 6-1 victory for the Eastern team. Though the Western team struggled in this match, there were still players who showed the talent that had them selected for the team. There were two different XIs for each half, and so this article and the next will be divided into the best performers per half. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">First Half</h2>   <p>The first half saw the Western team that was fielded lose 5-0. Despite the heavy defeat, one player in particular caught my eye when he had the chance to shine.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">He didn't get many opportunities this match, but when he did, Matthew looked sharp. One of the clearest chances of the half came from a wonderful play he orchestrated. He constantly looked to play the ball forward, mostly by playing it out wide. When possible, he tried driving the ball centrally. His movements on and off the ball showed how well he reads attacks.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention</h3>   <p><em>Daniel Carmona</em></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Second Half</h2>   <p>The second half was a more evenly disputed contest that saw the XI that was fielded get a 1-1 draw. The Eastern team made it difficult for some of the stars on the Western team to shine, but you could still see the players they could grow to be.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">The winger didn't have the match he would've liked, but still showed glimpses of why he's so highly rated. Whenever attacks would be launched from the left flank, he was the main focal point. He drove the ball to the defenders constantly, winning some and losing some. In one particular play where he had more space to operate in, he got rid of a few defenders spectacularly before having a shot that was headed on target blocked by the last one. He kept on insisting as much as he could, with shots and crosses. Despite the difficult nature of the match, you could tell that he was a difference-maker in attack.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Benjamin was a crucial player in keeping the second-half score as manageable as possible. He was called on multiple times during the half, especially towards the beginning. On one opportunity, despite not directly intervening, he closed down a one-on-one chance wonderfully. The attacker didn't have much chance and was forced to chip the ball, which ultimately went wide. He made a few strong saves that helped keep the score level.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Easton was active in the final third throughout the entire second half. He kept the center backs busy with the movements he was making. The chances he got weren't all too clear, except for the one that he managed to score. He broke an offside trap wonderfully, ran towards the box, and finished the chance fantastically. </p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mentions</h3>   <p><em>Manav Badwal</em></p>   <p><em>Abraham Prado</em></p>

The MLS Next All-Star Game finished with a resounding 6-1 victory for the Eastern team. Though the Western team struggled in this match, there were still players who showed the talent that had them selected for the team. There were two different XIs for each half, and so this article and the next will be divided into the best performers per half.